The Peel, Kingston, London

Bloody Sat-Navs eh? When they came out they promised to take the hassle out of driving and let the driver do more important things than map-read, like change CDs, chat, and use a mobile phone. And get you to places on time, they said. Well, I couldn't remember whether to use the M3 or A3 to get to The Peel on Saturday, and my device said M3. Stupid computerized junk, directed me all the way round admittedly nice parts of London before getting me to The Peel just after Crimson Sky had started their set. Still, thanks to the lovely Moo, I didn't have to waste time finding the change to get the old stamped hand.

So, I'd missed Crimson Sky's opening number, Turn It Up but managed to catch the rest of their excellent set. The band from Bristol have just released their self-produced debut CD Misunderstood and played seven out of the eleven tracks. The catchy After The Rain was followed by two tracks from their Misunderstood suite. The Sea and Misunderstood II, and then Season’s End before they played a brand new song, Another Life. They finished off their set with A Sleep That Burns and Misunderstood III. The set featured great work by guitarist Martin Leamon and Chris Cadey on keyboards, while Clive Lambert and Scott Maynard provided a solid backing on bass and drums. However, in singer Holly Thody they have unearthed a gem. She possesses a great voice, and moves that could make her the Prog Worlds answer to Shakira.

During the break there was time to catch up with some old and new faces in the crowd, such as Sally and Doug, Sarah, Sara and Stacey. It was also good to meet up with Steve Nichols, the guy who set up the (un)official Silhobbit Appreciation Society on Facebook.

Just as I was chattering to Crimson Sky guitarist Martin and drummer Scott, the Touchstone boys and girl emerged on the stage and launched into Wintercoast. Even at this point it's clear that many an hour has been spent in Hemel's finest rehearsal rooms, honing their sound. There's a confidence about the band now, a confidence borne out of knowing what they're doing most of the time. Granted, Moo's always been a cocky bugger on stage but now the rest of then have catched up.

The band continued the Wintercoast heavy set with Joker In The Pack, the hit single Zinomorph, Line in the Sand and Original Sin, before taking a trip back in time with Black Tide and Dignity, Rob Cottingham and Kim Seviour's vocals coming across exceptionally well on these two, as well as Adam Hodgson's guitar.

At about this time, Moo decided that he needed a drink. As I was by the bar, I thought I'd pay my dues and buy him one. But when I turned around, there were no bar staff to be seen. That's my excuse, and I'm a sticking to it!

Voices was the next tune, but the evidence of the bands confidence was shown during Strange Days, Kim/Elkie managed to get a bit of audience participation going. By the time they hit CalProg she'll be able to get the Americans doing Mexican waves! I think there was also a story in there about Coldplay as she'd been to their gig the night before, but, to be honest, when I hear the name Coldplay, I tend to switch off. Sorry Kim!

But the teal highlights of the set were up next, with the next couple of songs. First was a wonderfully emotive Solace. This is one that I've completely changed my mind about over the last couple of months. No more do I find it "slightly disturbing" or even a bit "creepy"! This was followed swiftly by the immense Discordant Dreams and The Beggars Song. It was good to see the whole band enjoying themselves up on stage.

They "left" the stage to rapturous applause from the massed throng. I say "left" but it was just a token gesture as they merely shuffled sideways a tad, before returning with with an unparallelled cover of Michael Jackson's Thriller replete with mad dancing - well, from a couple of guys in the crowd anyway!

They twitched sideways again, before throwing open the choice of second encore to the crowd. It was a toss up between usual set-closer Mad World or their own Shadow, with Shadow deservedly winning the public vote.

And that was that, apart from a shameful moment from drummer Al Melville who disgracefully hit an innocent young lady on the head with a pair of sweaty y-fronts. Ok, admittedly she did have to dash sideways, pushing three young children out of the way to get the pants, but still! I thought St Albans was known for better things than that.

All in all it was a wonderful evening, with two heavenly babes fronting two exciting prog bands so that there was no need to visit the bar next door at all! And well worth missing my son's 15th birthday for too!

I'd like to extend a big thanks to Moo, Martin Leamon and Bo Hansen, who has let me use his excellent photo's. You can see more of these, and check out his review at his blog.

Touchstone setlist
Wintercoast
Joker In The Pack
Zinomorph
Line In The Sand
Original Sin
Black Tide
Dignity
Voices
Strange Days
Solace
Discordant Dreams
The Beggar’s Song
Thriller *
Shadow **

Crimson Sky setlist
Turn It Up
After The Rain
The Sea
Misunderstood II
Season’s End
Another Life
A Sleep That Burns
Misunderstood III

Catch the bands at the following gigs soon:

Touchstone:
Friday 25th September - MetalFest, JB’s, Dudley
Saturday 26th September - The Wesley Arts Centre, Maltby, Yorks (with DeeExpus)
Sunday 27th September - The Riga Music Bar, Westcliffe-on-Sea (with DeeExpus)
Saturday 3rd October - The Orange Box, Yeovil (with DeeExpus)
Saturday 10th October - CalProg, Whittier, California, US of A
Saturday 19th December - The Peel, Kingston (with Magenta)

Crimson Sky:
Friday 16th October - The Old Tavern, Bristol
Saturday 24th October - The Griffin, Frome
Saturday 14th November - The Duke of York, Stroud

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