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New Moon is nothing if not an international advertisement for the hungry virtues of virginity and young people can’t get enough of it
The Twilight Saga: New Moon
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A smart, prickly and rewarding view of sexual and emotional confusion
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Too long and drawn out but very entertaining with excellent special effects
This is a peculiar play and does not work for me. Some of it is very funny but there are real flaws
Alex has a strong powerful voice and was faultless, she is far better now than she was on the X-Factor
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Follically challenged: Phil Collins teased the crowd about their lack of hair
The Twickenham Stadium crowd was delighted at the prospect of an evening spent looking backwards
At their first London concert featuring Phil Collins in 15 years, Genesis seemed under no illusions about the chances of the band attracting a new, young audience.
"We're going to play plenty of songs that you first heard when some of you had hair," said the singing drummer to his fossilised crowd, which looked collectively delighted at the prospect of an evening spent looking backwards.
Gallery: See more pictures from the gig here
For this is not a comeback to feature new material and a fresh start, but a one-off attempt to claw back some artistic credibility from the band's achievements to date.
It was originally intended also to feature first-phase Genesis members Peter Gabriel and Steve Hackett, performing the band's most acclaimed album, 1974's The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway. In the end the pair could not be persuaded to rejoin Collins, Mike Rutherford and Tony Banks, but this show still emphasised the days when Genesis was a byword for epic prog rock rather than chart-topping pop.
It began with a rambling instrumental and concluded with The Carpet Crawlers from The Lamb ... incorporating drum solos, twin-necked guitars and spacey synth riffs while still finding space for the hits in a lengthy set that did much to justify its stadium setting. The stage looked extraordinary, the most spectacular I have seen at a gig this size.
Acknowledging that no one needed to focus on the bald heads and beards holding the instruments, the band played beneath a vast wave of steel that resembled Frank Gehry's Guggenheim in Bilbao, completely covered in lights.
The firework finale of Invisible Touch was icing on a cake that was already thoroughly iced. Collins seemed perfectly at home, conducting the screams and waving arms of the vast crowd, despite having vowed to quit touring in 2002.
He flitted between his drum kit and every other spot on the stage, helped on percussion by long-term touring member Chester Thompson. He crooned sensitively on tracks including Hold On My Heart and Ripples, but seemed to prefer cackling into a close-up camera like Gollum on the bizarre Mama, and leading his bandmates in the famous silly walk during I Can't Dance.
Many songs had dated badly, perhaps because unlike, say, the Beatles or the Stones, you don't hear the sound of Genesis reflected in the music of current bands.
But if there were any young musicians in the audience who were as dazzled by the spectacle as I was, who knows, maybe their time will come yet.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
I must have watched their live DVDs a thousand times because I was too young to see any of the previous tours (excluding Calling All Stations, which never appealed), so this was my first Genesis concert (a dream come true in itself).
Apart from noticing the fewer number of fills in PC's drumming, I was blown away and left hoarse from singing. When it was all over, I had to fight to stop the tears running down my face because I'd finally seen my heroes. I just hope it wasn't for the first and last time.
- Glyn, Sandhurst, Berks
Unless you're between the ages of 16 and say 25, its unlikely that your musical tastes will conform to what's hip, and what's in. But before looking good on a dancefloor, this band wrote and recorded some fabulous, and complex music, often overlooked for its warmth and sincerity. Genesis were simply magnificent, a truly fabulous perfomance, and one that I will remember long into the future.
- Aj Mcmenemy, Chadwell Heath
Like many fellow prehistoric creatures I thought this concert was just fantastic. 65,000 like minded people cannot be wrong!
The stage was immense, the sound incredible and the latest plasma screen technology brought "the little people at the back" a lot closer to the stage.
It just makes some of the modern bands look so boring and ordinary, and clearly unable to perform live.
A note for Paul Clayton - the empty seats in the stands at each side of the North stand were there because the sound and light towers would have restricted the view of the satge for the people sitting there...so no tickets were sold!
- Nigel Holmes, Soham, UK
It took me over 4 and a half hours to drive from West Wales to London and, luckily, I managed to get one of the last batch of tickets meaning I only had a side on view and couldn't see some of the brilliant effects on the stage. However, I didn't care as the concert was absolutely fantastic, even better than the We Can't Dance Tour I saw in Hannover, Germany. Well worth the drive up there. My only complaint was that were lots of empty seats in back right hand corner of the stadium (probably due to ticket touts not selling off tickets to punters who actually wanted to see the concert).
- Paul Clayton, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales
Rob, there is going to be a DVD of the show in Rome produced after the tour. I was seated off to the side at Twickenham (poor visibility!) so whilst I got to hear a great performance I'll be waiting for that to see the light show in full.
- Liam Dillon, London
I took my children aged 7 and 8 to the Old Trafford show the previous night. They have never had any particular music thrust upon them, but are encouraged to make-up their own minds about bands and genres, so it is hugely significant that they cite Genesis as one of their favourites. Moreover, they ask to hear the CD's from all eras of Genesis ... they love "Dancing With The Moonlit Knight" and sing along to "Suppers Ready".
I am so pleased that they danced and cheered throughout at Old Trafford, and I am so happy for people in younger generations who are lucky enough to be exposed to Genesis' music and latch-on to this wonderful and stunning live band.
I saw Genesis play live 5 times between 1980 and 1987. In 2007 the power and emotion generated at their shows is as amazing as ever, and their credibility is intact. Genesis are loved throughout Europe and much of the rest of the world. If Genesis sometimes get bad press in the UK, it's probably less to do with their music and stage show, and more to do with our nation being obsessed with celebrities, and having hang-ups about image. Los Endos on this tour is powerful enough to move Gods, never mind the Earth!
- Rik Green, NW England
I went to see the Old Trafford gig. I don't know about only oldies at the gig - I am 25 and it was the most amazing gig I have ever been to. The stage was awesome and Phil Collins' voice only gets better. The atmosphere was fantastic. I hope they tour again soon as I will definitely be going again.
- Katy, Chorley, Lancashire UK
Due to some logistical problems, I had to give my tickets away. I am now really gutted having seen the reviews.
Does anybody know if a dvd is being produced of the gig?
- Rob, Hockley, Essex
This was my first Genesis concert but I hope not my last.
As teenagers + 40 years, my wife and I are now fitting in as many concerts as our pockets will allow.
We have done a number of big venues inside and out and have to say that this performance was something else.
The sheer energy of the group spread throughout the whole arena.
The effects were superb and fitted into the lyrics of the songs perfectly.
I do though have two small comments.
The seating at Twickenham although good visually is very poor on leg room and I think should be reflected in ticket prices.
- Trevor Steeles,, Farnham, Surrey
This truly was a treat, a blast from the past, and a totally up to date show in terms of comittment from the band. Although all getting on a bit they performed as if it were 20 years ago. The stage setup again was something to marvel at. My only quip is that these stadium sets do not seem to have the same crowd impact as the old open air gigs in Roundhay Park and Knebworth. Although the performance and visuals were stunning the atmosphere was sadly lacking to that of 15 years ago
- Simon, Newington, Kent
As a (ouch) nearly 50 year old, I remember seeing this exact line-up (i.e. with Chester and Daryl) at the De Montfort Hall in Leicester in '77. I was a huge fan then, and although I haven't listened too regularly over the last few years, all of their albums sit on my iPod and get the occassional airing.
My wife and I were out late on Saturday and almost gave our tickets away–but came away delighted we hadn't. What a thoroughly professional act, and what a great showman Collins is; he knows how to pull in an audience and work it like no other lead I have known. The music was technically superb and I left the stadium hoarse from singing (my wife says shrieking). Personally I'm not quite sure what "Hold on my Heart" was doing there, but I'm sure many enjoyed this. The main difference between this and '77 was no "Supper's Ready" but that would have been asking far too much.
Fantastic! I'm sitting here with iTunes blasting out all of last night's tracks!
- David, Chiswick, London
Amazing! My first Genesis concert and I really really enjoyed it. Good to hear some of their early stuff plus their more commercial stuff as well. Great lighting, and a real feel-good factor. Favourite track? Home by the Sea gets my vote. We certainly got value for money too. No "ten songs" and that's it.. only downside was getting out of the area by car.
So it rained? We're getting used to that aren't we?
- Alex Barker, Coventry, UK
Absolutely amazing, a set which took me back to childhood and listening to my brother playing all the oldies! I couldn't believe they played as much old stuff as they did, what a treat. I felt emotional, energetic, hugely excited and in awe of the whole thing. I've seen them a couple of times before, but this was categorically the best. Still can't believe we were treated to Ripples and Firth of the Fifth! In my opinion there is no other band comparable. Well done guys and apologies to the people sat behind me, as I couldn't stay in my seat!
- Samantha Cotterill, Royston, Hertfordshire
Speaking as someone young enough to expect to have hair for a good few decades yet, I though this show was absolutely superb and so did my wife. The lighting and visual effects were a perfect compliment and quite a spectacle to behold. The actual performance was breathtaking, with the band performing faultlessly and Phil Collins singing almost perfectly.
I was sad when the show was over and would quite gladly see the show again if I was given the chance.
- Dan, Dorchester UK
Everything I expected... and then some more! The rain couldn't dampen any spirits as the bald one led us a merry dance. Lighting and stage were awesome, sound pretty good, not bad for a stadium used to the refrain of 'Swing Low'. The back catalogue drew the biggest cheers of all. I could hear thousands of folically challenged forty somethings, just like me, singing along to every lyric and bashing out every drumbeat. A fabulous night out!
- Barry Judge, Winchester, England
Truly incredible! The music was energizing and emotional. The stage was fantastic protraying what looked like a gigantic silver plasma crown. Transported through years of nostalgic places my husband and I were mesmerized for the whole 2 hours and 40 minutes. We have been to so many concerts where a band have finished in under 1 hour 20 just when things were getting going. Phil collins had us just where he wanted us in his usual showman style, with his tongue firmly in his cheek he caused regular bursts of laughter around us. Having stood through many hours of rain in a very memorable 'Six of the Best' concert in Milton Keynes 25 years ago it was good to be under cover when the rain came down. Every minute worth waiting for!
- Jane, Winchester Hampshire uk
My wife and I went to Twickenham full of excitement, we were not disappointed. We last saw Genesis in 1987 and it they are as great today as they were then. The show was spectacular, absolutely no complaints fantastic
- Peter, Thundersley UK
My wife and I took our 13 year old son to Twickenham. We had previously seen Genesis at Roundhay Park, Leeds in 1986, way before he was born and much of the act was similar, though no worse for it. As a drummer, my son wanted to see the drum duet between Phil Collins and Chester Thompson and was not disappointed. The whole show was superb musically and visually. We were all blown away with it.
- Steve, Aylesbeare, Devon, UK
I wasn't sure what to expect. Are Genesis best left to past memorable concerts and time spent in the car listening to old albums on CD? I was concerned it might be a medley-evening of past hits. It took only seconds for me to be reassured and to be loving the fact that there they were again, on-stage and just as good as before. Phil Collins is a massive stage entertainer and didn't seem to have lost any of his energy. His tambourine-bashing routine was as good as ever. They picked a fantastic mix of songs. The stage was the most spectacular that I've ever seen at big concerts - the lighting and screens were brilliant. I hear they might be on the road in 2008 with Peter Gabriel - not sure how that will work with Collins so much the front man, but I shall definitely be booking tickets.
- Julia, Aldbury, Hertfordshire
An excellent concert. Great songs. Could have done with some more old ones! Good to see they are not afraid to play 15 minute songs! More please!
- Jon Forster, Teddington, England
My wife and I took our 11 year old son and 16 year old daughter to Twickenham. They thought it was awesome. Neither had really listened to Genesis before but both now want them on their iPods. When I was my daughter's age I saw them at Knebworth, they were just as good today as they were in '76. I'm thankful they did the tour. It would have been nice to have seen Hacket and Gabriel as well though.
- Russell, Slough
