The Musical Box premieres
A Genesis Extravaganza
at the Cliffs Pavilion
on 2 October 2018
A Genesis Extravaganza
at the Cliffs Pavilion
on 2 October 2018
A GENESIS EXTRAVAGANZA
an unprecedented musical feast of 1970-77
favorites and rarities
an unprecedented musical feast of 1970-77
favorites and rarities
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In an all out performance of live visual signature stunts, a museum-worthy array of vintage instruments and a dizzying pace of iconic tracks and stage rarities, THE MUSICAL BOX indulges for the 1st time in its 25 year existence in an intense trip into the world of early GENESIS.
From its unique perspective as the only band ever licensed and supported by GENESIS and PETER GABRIEL, TMB presents a new, never performed show featuring the music of TRESPASS, NURSERY CRYME, FOXTROT, SELLING ENGLAND BY THE POUND, THE LAMB LIES DOWN ON BROADWAY, A TRICK OF THE TAIL and WIND & WUTHERING. |
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And a few surprises …
ACCLAIMED FOR ITS HISTORICAL RE-ENACTMENT OF EARLY GENESIS, TMB HAS PERFORMED FOR MORE THAN A MILLION SPECTATORS WORLDWIDE IN SOME OF THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS VENUES SUCH AS THE LONDON ROYAL ALBERT HALL AND THE PARIS OLYMPIA. TMB HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF HOSTING PHIL COLLINS AND STEVE HACKETT AS PERFORMING GUESTS. IN ITS QUEST FOR AUTHENTICITY, TMB IS OFTEN CITED AS THE BEST INTERPRETATION GROUP IN THE WORLD AND THE INTERNATIONAL REFERENCE FOR EARLY GENESIS. |
"The Musical Box recreated, very accurately I must say, what Genesis was doing. I saw them in Bristol with my children so they could see what their father did back then" - Peter Gabriel
"They're not a tribute band, they have taken a period and are faithfully reproducing it in the same way that someone would do a theatrical production" - Phil Collins
"I cannot imagine that you could have a better tribute for any act. They not only manage to sound, but look virtualy identical. It seems as though nothing is too difficult for them" - Steve Hackett
"It was better than the real thing actually. It was great, that was fantastic." - Mike Rutherford
"The guy who does Peter Gabriel is brilliant" - Tony Banks
"They're not a tribute band, they have taken a period and are faithfully reproducing it in the same way that someone would do a theatrical production" - Phil Collins
"I cannot imagine that you could have a better tribute for any act. They not only manage to sound, but look virtualy identical. It seems as though nothing is too difficult for them" - Steve Hackett
"It was better than the real thing actually. It was great, that was fantastic." - Mike Rutherford
"The guy who does Peter Gabriel is brilliant" - Tony Banks
Q&A with
Sébastien Lamothe, Founding member of The Musical Box
Sébastien Lamothe, Founding member of The Musical Box
Can you remember the first Genesis song you heard? What impact did it have on you?
I do remember. I was about 16 and my bandmate's older brother, in an attempt to broaden our musical horizons put the Selling England record on. I remember being very intrigued and confused by all these sounds and weird time signature changes. Way too much information, having come from Duran Duran (which in all fairness I still enjoy) I didn't know it was even possible. Kind of like the first time I tasted hummus... Couldn't tell if I loved it or hated it. There's not yet a mental box to file it in. I'm now an avid hummus eater... Once past the initial shock, I had to comeback for more. We intentionally sat down and listened to Horizon and Supper's Ready from Foxtrot. That was it. Still trying to capture and make sense of these life changing events.
Sébastien you are a founding member of The Musical Box, tell us about when you originally formed the band / How did the idea of what you do even come about?
I hate counting the years, cause it seems you are stuck somewhere in time... But it was now more than 25 years ago. But to our defense, Genesis artistry is such an incredibly vast, rich and unique language that it commands a lifetime of study and really the only thing I was trying to do is understand what the hell what happening there and trying to reproduce an early 70s Genesis show in all its complexities. This was the only possible way I could ever hope to actually experience it. I was a toddler when they happened.
How long does it take you to develop each show, from its inception to the stage? What is the process? There must be a wealth of source material to research. How did you begin?
Where do you even start... What's a mellotron? What song did they play? Here's how it really happened for TMB: uncovering all mysteries one picture, one note, one vintage instrument, one fan made super8 movie and when we got some traction, one confession of an original member at a time. It really is still an ongoing process. For the sake of authenticity, we have literally become historians.
What’s more important to you as a band, to try and reproduce a record itself or to reproduce the experience?
This was always a wrenching decision for us. Do we try to interpret the music in its recorded album form, beloved and more familiar to fans, or accept the limits of live versions for which Genesis would have to let go a lot of studio arrangements? We always thought the audience would not be as forgiving to TMB if we would. Do you drop the famed Firth of Fifth intro like Genesis did because they never had a piano on stage and disappoint the audience?.. For many years we didn't dare and incorporated the studio rendition of the songs into the live performance. Later on, now equipped of a very educated and well versed audience, we ventured into live versions with the hope it would be appreciated for what it was. How Genesis would do it.
What do you think it is about the show that resonates so powerfully with audiences?
Flair - I always make the parrallel of the visual artillery of your nowadays large arena tours, and yet for all its tech deployment, the experience is often empty and digested fast. Genesis created with very limited means iconic moments and images that still haunt the audience and somehow, this seemingly complicated music got very relatable and human, with touching melodies and emotional narrative and theatrics. People are leaving the concert hall in tears. Even though with the 70s sound and feeling to it, it was so avant-garde that its still relevant and cool almost 50 years later... Which explains our longevity.
What can audiences expect from THE NEW Musical Box show – A GENESIS EXTRAVAGANZA?
After years of historically accurate Genesis re-enactment, TMB is now for the first time in its career indulging in a special show, an all out experience of fan favorites from 1970-1977, something the confines of the re-creation approach could not allow. We feel as performers and fans that after all these years, we are allowed this breach of protocol and that the audience is ready for it. We also know we have no margin for error...
Because we will cover different periods of Genesis works in 3 distinct acts, this will be no doubt the most ambitious production we will have undertaken. Just the vintage instruments required to cover all periods are... insane. A real museum exhibition of vintage instruments. In a dizzing dive into Genesis catalogue, we hope to achieve the impossible by performing classics and rare tracks and show the genius of Genesis’ incredible output renewed track after track, live stunts after live stunts. With TMB's unique knowledge and ability. The only merit we have really.
What are you most looking forward to about touring the UK?
In some ways, the UK has always been the jury and judge for TMB... and very intimidating. Our mecca if you will. For a French Canadian band to interpret British music on its soil might sound arrogant, or even tagged cultural appropriation, and it did irk some during our first visits there. But you guys should know Quebec was in fact the revolving door of America for all the British prog wave and there has been a very unique love story between Genesis/Peter Gabriel and Quebec. It had a profound impact and influenced well known local artists. It almost feels like a secret order here. I think you guys came to accept us because of the respect we have shown to the original œuvre and the support we had from Genesis members. The endeaver might have seemed cocky or invasive, but it was done humbly.
I do remember. I was about 16 and my bandmate's older brother, in an attempt to broaden our musical horizons put the Selling England record on. I remember being very intrigued and confused by all these sounds and weird time signature changes. Way too much information, having come from Duran Duran (which in all fairness I still enjoy) I didn't know it was even possible. Kind of like the first time I tasted hummus... Couldn't tell if I loved it or hated it. There's not yet a mental box to file it in. I'm now an avid hummus eater... Once past the initial shock, I had to comeback for more. We intentionally sat down and listened to Horizon and Supper's Ready from Foxtrot. That was it. Still trying to capture and make sense of these life changing events.
Sébastien you are a founding member of The Musical Box, tell us about when you originally formed the band / How did the idea of what you do even come about?
I hate counting the years, cause it seems you are stuck somewhere in time... But it was now more than 25 years ago. But to our defense, Genesis artistry is such an incredibly vast, rich and unique language that it commands a lifetime of study and really the only thing I was trying to do is understand what the hell what happening there and trying to reproduce an early 70s Genesis show in all its complexities. This was the only possible way I could ever hope to actually experience it. I was a toddler when they happened.
How long does it take you to develop each show, from its inception to the stage? What is the process? There must be a wealth of source material to research. How did you begin?
Where do you even start... What's a mellotron? What song did they play? Here's how it really happened for TMB: uncovering all mysteries one picture, one note, one vintage instrument, one fan made super8 movie and when we got some traction, one confession of an original member at a time. It really is still an ongoing process. For the sake of authenticity, we have literally become historians.
What’s more important to you as a band, to try and reproduce a record itself or to reproduce the experience?
This was always a wrenching decision for us. Do we try to interpret the music in its recorded album form, beloved and more familiar to fans, or accept the limits of live versions for which Genesis would have to let go a lot of studio arrangements? We always thought the audience would not be as forgiving to TMB if we would. Do you drop the famed Firth of Fifth intro like Genesis did because they never had a piano on stage and disappoint the audience?.. For many years we didn't dare and incorporated the studio rendition of the songs into the live performance. Later on, now equipped of a very educated and well versed audience, we ventured into live versions with the hope it would be appreciated for what it was. How Genesis would do it.
What do you think it is about the show that resonates so powerfully with audiences?
Flair - I always make the parrallel of the visual artillery of your nowadays large arena tours, and yet for all its tech deployment, the experience is often empty and digested fast. Genesis created with very limited means iconic moments and images that still haunt the audience and somehow, this seemingly complicated music got very relatable and human, with touching melodies and emotional narrative and theatrics. People are leaving the concert hall in tears. Even though with the 70s sound and feeling to it, it was so avant-garde that its still relevant and cool almost 50 years later... Which explains our longevity.
What can audiences expect from THE NEW Musical Box show – A GENESIS EXTRAVAGANZA?
After years of historically accurate Genesis re-enactment, TMB is now for the first time in its career indulging in a special show, an all out experience of fan favorites from 1970-1977, something the confines of the re-creation approach could not allow. We feel as performers and fans that after all these years, we are allowed this breach of protocol and that the audience is ready for it. We also know we have no margin for error...
Because we will cover different periods of Genesis works in 3 distinct acts, this will be no doubt the most ambitious production we will have undertaken. Just the vintage instruments required to cover all periods are... insane. A real museum exhibition of vintage instruments. In a dizzing dive into Genesis catalogue, we hope to achieve the impossible by performing classics and rare tracks and show the genius of Genesis’ incredible output renewed track after track, live stunts after live stunts. With TMB's unique knowledge and ability. The only merit we have really.
What are you most looking forward to about touring the UK?
In some ways, the UK has always been the jury and judge for TMB... and very intimidating. Our mecca if you will. For a French Canadian band to interpret British music on its soil might sound arrogant, or even tagged cultural appropriation, and it did irk some during our first visits there. But you guys should know Quebec was in fact the revolving door of America for all the British prog wave and there has been a very unique love story between Genesis/Peter Gabriel and Quebec. It had a profound impact and influenced well known local artists. It almost feels like a secret order here. I think you guys came to accept us because of the respect we have shown to the original œuvre and the support we had from Genesis members. The endeaver might have seemed cocky or invasive, but it was done humbly.
UK Tour Dates 2018
Tuesday 2 October Box Office: 01702 351135
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend Website: www.southendtheatres.org.uk
Wednesday 3 October Box Office: 0116 233 3111
De Montfort Hall, Leicester Website: www.demontforthall.co.uk
Friday 5 October Box Office: 01256 844244
The Anvil, Basingstoke Website: www.anvilarts.org.uk
Saturday 6 October Box Office: 0121 780 3333
Symphony Hall, Birmingham Website: www.thsh.co.uk
Sunday 7 October Box Office: 0131 228 1155
Usher Hall, Edinburgh Website: www.usherhall.co.uk
Monday 8 October Box Office: 0151 709 3789
Liverpool Philharmonic Hall Website: www.liverpoolphil.com
Tuesday 9 October Box Office: 08444 777 677
Manchester Apollo Website: www.academymusicgroup.com/o2apollomanchester
Thursday 11 October Box Office: 0844 249 1000
Eventim Apollo, London Website: www.eventimapollo.com
Friday 12 October Box Office: 0844 871 7650
Theatre Royal, Brighton Website: www.atgtickets.com/brighton
Saturday 13 October Box Office: 0844 888 9991
Bath Forum Website: www.bathforum.co.uk
Tuesday 2 October Box Office: 01702 351135
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend Website: www.southendtheatres.org.uk
Wednesday 3 October Box Office: 0116 233 3111
De Montfort Hall, Leicester Website: www.demontforthall.co.uk
Friday 5 October Box Office: 01256 844244
The Anvil, Basingstoke Website: www.anvilarts.org.uk
Saturday 6 October Box Office: 0121 780 3333
Symphony Hall, Birmingham Website: www.thsh.co.uk
Sunday 7 October Box Office: 0131 228 1155
Usher Hall, Edinburgh Website: www.usherhall.co.uk
Monday 8 October Box Office: 0151 709 3789
Liverpool Philharmonic Hall Website: www.liverpoolphil.com
Tuesday 9 October Box Office: 08444 777 677
Manchester Apollo Website: www.academymusicgroup.com/o2apollomanchester
Thursday 11 October Box Office: 0844 249 1000
Eventim Apollo, London Website: www.eventimapollo.com
Friday 12 October Box Office: 0844 871 7650
Theatre Royal, Brighton Website: www.atgtickets.com/brighton
Saturday 13 October Box Office: 0844 888 9991
Bath Forum Website: www.bathforum.co.uk