Roger Hodgson - Royal Albert Hall

Breakfast In America Tour

Tonight I took our two boys to see one of the finest singer/songwriters England has ever produced, and his excellent band. I have been looking forward to this since I bought the tickets 6 months ago. I grew up with the music of Supertramp, most of whose songs were penned by Roger Hodgson. He has also written some fine solo material since the band split in the mid 80's. Now, after a 20 year break to raise his family, he is back touring the world, playing many of the old familiar Supertramp classics as well as some excellent new compositions. His band is just as good as Supertramp ever was, and his multi-instrumentalist sax player Aaron MacDonald is awesome. As well as being a musical genius, Roger is a genuinely humble, self-deprecating guy and through his music and lyrics seems to be able to emotionally connect with his audience in a way that has to be seen (and felt) to be believed.

It is often remarked that parents shouldn't inflict their musical tastes on their children (though they must pick some things up from us surely!) and I agree with that. They need to form their own views of what they like and what they don't. So tonight I offered them a taster of what I enjoyed when I was growing up, and now I will leave them to continue to i-pod their way to their own musical preferences, hoping that that they gained something from the experience of seeing and hearing marvellous music composition and performance tonight. Maybe they will take their old dad to a gig of their choice one day! Earplugs at the ready!

After this evening, Roger Hodgson and Band play Birmingham Symphony Hall May 26th, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall May 28th, Bridgewater Hall Manchester May 29th and Royal Concert Hall Glasgow May 30th.

Setlist tonight;
1. Take the Long Way Home
2. School
3. In Jeopardy
4. Lovers in the Wind
5. Hide in Your Shell
6. Easy Does It
7. Sister Moonshine
8. Breakfast in America
9. Rosie Had Everything Planned
10. The Logical Song
11. Child of Vision
12. Lord Is It Mine
13. Death & a Zoo
14. Even in the Quietest moments
15. If Everyone Was Listening
16. Don't Leave Me Now
17. Dreamer
18. Fool's Overture
Encore:
19. Two of Us
20. Give a Little Bit
21. It's Raining Again