Review by Shawn Perry
Photos by Jordan West
With the pageantry surrounding the 50th anniversary of the fabled Genesis epic, The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway, it was pretty much a given that guitarist Steve Hackett would want to mark the milestone in some way. After all, he’s the only member of once mighty progressive band who continues to play their music live. Tour after tour, he revisits one particular classic album from the group’s offers of the 1970s. It only makes sense for 2025 that he and his masterful band put the spotlight on The Lamb.
Time constraints and logistics prevent playing the album in its entirety. However, Hackett featured nine selections from the double opus as part of his nearly two-hour performance in Nashville. Along with The Lamb medley, Hackett pulled together a setlist that largely drew from his most recent live album, The Lamb Stands Up Live At The Royal Albert Hall. He also managed to reveal a couple surprises to make the night unique and memorable.
The first set of any Hackett performance covers songs from his extensive solo catalog. Tonight was no exception as he drew from both recent (the first three numbers, “People Of The Smoke,” “Circo Inferno” and “These Passing Clouds,” are all from 2024’s The Circus And The Nightwhale) and not-so recent (“Every Day” from 1979’s Spectral Mornings and “Shadow Of The Hierophant” from 1975’s Voyage Of The Acolyte, the guitarist’s first album outside Genesis).
As always, the guitarist and his magnificent band — keyboardist Roger King, singer Nad Sylvan, horn player Rob Townsend, bassist Jonas Reingold, and new drummer Nick D’Virgilio — brought each and every song to life. Absent from the stage was singer and guitarist Amanda Lehmann, who has helped enhance songs like “Every Day” and “Shadow Of The Hierophant” on previous tours. D’Virgilio, who has the distinction of playing on the final Genesis album, Calling All Stations, as well as being the original drummer and one-time lead singer for Spock’s Beard, was more than capable of adding his pipes where needed.
To counter the craziness just steps away from Nashville’s Broadway on a Halloween night, Hackett offered a more measured, soothing experience at the Ryman with a huge slice of The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway. Credit, first and foremost, has to go to King, who’s been at Hackett’s side as keyboardist, collaborator, and producer since 1996. He announced earlier in the year that he would be stepping back from touring after 2025. His value, especially when it comes to the Genesis pieces, cannot be underestimated.
It falls on King to take on those big, meaty Tony Banks parts with utmost precision and timing — the exact formula behind the famous opening title track of The Lamb. Once he brought it fruition, the other players came in and assumed their roles. Sylvan locked in every looney lyric and melodic line like Peter Gabriel reborn, taking firm ownership of “Broadway Melody Of 1979,” “Carpet Crawlers,” and “Lilywhite Lilith.”
For his part, Hackett brandished his trademark licks that have always given The Lamb its edge. Once, he was joined by King and Townsend on the wind-up of “It,” with Sylvan prompting the audience to clap along to bring it all home, the night felt complete. Well, almost. Even 45 minutes of prime Genesis wasn’t going to cut it. “Here’s one from Foxtrot…” and with that the stage was set for “Supper’s Ready,” arguably one of progressive rock’s shining lights.
An encore of “Firth Of Fifth,” followed by a drum solo from D’Virgilio that rolled into “Los Endos” was really the cherry on top for the assembled. As more dates get lined up for 2026, Hackett’s fiery brand of Genesis and solo gems is a show for the ages. One can only hope he’ll return to Nashville with a whole new batch of classics for fans to feast on.
