Review: Nev Pearce
The last time we saw progressive music legend Steven Wilson on Australian shores was back in 2018, when he brought his To the Bone tour down under — easily one of the standout live experiences of that year.
It’s been far too long since then, and as a fan of his 2021 record The Future Bites, I was disappointed that we never got to see that tour happen. It has since become one of my top ten albums of all time, and I also loved its follow-up, The Harmony Codex from 2023.
Wilson has finally returned to Australia in support of his latest album, The Overview — a 42-minute conceptual journey inspired by the “overview effect,” that profound shift in perspective astronauts experience when viewing Earth from space. It’s a powerful return to the expansive progressive sound that first defined his work with Porcupine Tree and his early solo records, and I’ve been eagerly waiting to experience it live.
Tonight’s show is being held at QPAC in Brisbane, a fantastic venue best known for theatre, dance, and world-class musical performances, though it has occasionally welcomed rock artists too — including the late, great Chris Cornell.
With no opening support act, the show begins with “Objects Outlive Us,” the first movement of his 42-minute epic. Experiencing the album in a live setting is where it truly comes alive; the spacious audio design and breathtaking visuals pull you into a journey through space and beyond. At times, it’s genuinely overwhelming — especially as the lyrical themes combine with cosmic imagery zooming further and further out, highlighting just how small we are in the grand scheme of the universe.
Once The Overview reaches its stunning conclusion, Steven Wilson takes a moment to address the crowd, joking that he’ll need to rely on the audience’s enthusiasm given the fully seated setup. It does feel a little unusual — and with a strict no-phones policy and no standing section, the atmosphere remains quieter than expected, even during the heavier moments.
Still, Wilson’s charm and charisma are infectious, and after a brief ten-minute intermission, the show kicks back into overdrive.
This is the final show of Wilson’s 67-date run of The Overview tour, and while many bands would be exhausted from the travel and relentless schedule, Wilson and his band return to the stage full of energy and momentum as they launch into “Voyage 34 (Phase 1)” from Porcupine Tree. It’s a moment that feels especially rewarding, considering Australia was left off the band’s last tour schedule and I’ve never seen them live before.
His touring band — Craig Blundell on drums, Nick Beggs on bass, Adam Holzman on keyboards, and Randy McStine on guitar — are some of the best musicians I’ve ever seen live, effortlessly navigating some of Wilson’s most complex compositions with absolute power and mastery, especially when tackling other Porcupine Tree tracks we’re treated to, such as “Dislocated Day” and “Impossible Tightrope” from his The Harmony Codex album.
And while much of the show is a showcase of technical musical wizardry, it’s not all one big prog-fest. Wilson jokes about wanting to acknowledge the people who were dragged along by their partners, friends, or family without really knowing what they were in for. There’s plenty here for the average listener and newcomers too, including a powerful and emotional rendition of “Pariah” and a beautifully stripped-back performance of the Porcupine Tree classic “Lazarus,” which is incredibly moving to experience live.
As the show draws to a close with the 13-minute epic “Ancestral” and fan favourite “The Raven That Refused to Sing,” it’s hard to believe it’s all over. The last few hours seem to have flown by, even with the winding journey through his incredible musical career. And while there were songs I would’ve loved to hear — like “King Ghost,” which appeared in other setlists — the night was still a memorable, deeply enjoyable ride.
Here’s hoping he doesn’t leave his return quite as long next time, because it truly feels like we’ve still got a lot to catch up on. Come back soon, Steven!