It's nearly the weekend as Swedish prog rockers The Flower Kings return to London yet again, this time with new album 'Desolation Rose' under their belts. This tour was initially billed with fellow countryman Daniel Gildenlöw from Pain of Salvation fame making a special appearance on guitars but due to a complication involving a flesh-eating virus, Gildenlöw is understandably unable to participate.
Sole support is the headliner's Inside Out label mates in the form of Sound of Contact, formed by Phil Collins' son Simon Collins in 2009, releasing their debut full length 'Dimensionaut' last year. Having played London last year with Spock's Beard, this emerging act has deservedly prog rock aficionados watching them carefully. Opening with instrumental number 'Cosmic Distance Ladder', their take on prog rock navigates alternative rock, post-rock and ambient moments of contemplation, a sharp but pleasing contrast to the '70s prog nostalgia of the headliners. Masters of their instruments, Sound of Contact have no issues enthralling the audience's attention with their musicianship and refusing to let go as titles 'Pale Blue Dot', 'Not Coming Down' and 'Remote View' strike the right chord with the crowd. Closing with 'Möbius Slip', this English act certainly turn a few heads with their contemporary and engrossing sound.
Opening with the 13+ minute song'Tower One' from latest album 'Desolation Rose', the Flower Kings proceed to dazzle London with two hours of colourful classic prog rock, nodding knowingly to the likes of Genesis and Yes. Guitarist RoineStolt effortlessly weaves dreamy and optimistic melodies with upbeat drumming from Felix Lehrmann and slightly eccentric keyboard work courtesy of Thomas Bodin.Although only formed in 1994, The Flower Kings truly sound like a product of the '70s. This song is followed by another track from the same album, the almost title track 'Desolation Road', significantly shorter at four minutes long. The audience response to the Swedes is excellent as the sound of the venue does all it can to create the best impression for these seasoned musicians.
The five-piece are humble and humorous live, reflecting a sincerity that appears lost in modern times, very appropriate given the music they play. Interaction with the audience is substantial without being time-wasting. Given the incredibly prolific frequency of The Flower Kings' recorded output and the lengthy nature of their songs, the setlist is a struggle to predict with just nine tracks performed tonight. Indeed, abridged versions of 'Stardust We Are' (Parts I and II), 'Big Puzzle' and 'Garden of Dreams' are performed but the reworked offspring still do justice to their full length parents. Possibly the highlight of the set is the grandiose 25 minute effort 'Numbers', an odyssey of a track that fails to sink into the mediocre. The audience's celebratory reaction after the song is announced is testament to this.
After the technically demanding 'Numbers' concludes, the band leaves the stage only to return with their instruments for a two track encore. The first is beautiful cover of Pink Floyd's 'Echoes', complete with Sound of Contact's Randy McStein on guitar. However, the curtain calling song is a real treat as The Flower Kings launch into Genesis' outstanding'Cinema Show', complete with Stein on guitar again and Simon Collins mirroring his father on the drums. The fans' response is at its most frenzied yet and The Flower Kings thank the audience for turning up before saying goodbye to London.
Music like this demands an audience with impeccable attention to detail. The dream-like soundscapes coupled with an obsession with vintage sounds produces a delectable and unpretentious mission statement, temporarily removing the London crowd from the hustle and bustle of big city life. For this reason, it is hoped that The Flower Kings will return to the nation's capital to put smiles on the city's inhabitants again.
FUTURE GIGS
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