Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. April 2007

With their latest album barely two weeks old, Porcupine Tree arrived fresh, eager and ready to showcase their new material.

Opening the set to mass applause with their brand new album title track Fear Of A Blank Planet; a dark look at modern-day British youth, they carefully mixed current material, including the stunning My Ashes and the epic Anethetize , with old favourites like Gravity Eyelids and Lightbulb Sun.

Frontman Steve Wilson’s delivery was perfect for the intricate soundscapes deftly created for this show, with touring guitarist and backing singer John Wesley providing superb musical and vocal support.

During the set the new songs were given an extra dimension with some creative visual effects including the opening track which featured a rundown housing estate, with teenagers running wild whilst committing vandalism and other crimes.

The end of the show came all too soon for the enthusiastic capacity audience who were treated to encores of Even Less and Mother and Child.

Ian D. Hall