OK, here is an update on the Convention. I think it's fair to say that this was the biggest thing happening in the Genesis world this year (and I believe we'll be waiting until at least 2008 for anything bigger!).
TIMINGS:
The event in the Astoria will be 7 to 8 hours long each day, running from 3.00-10.30pm on day one and 4.00-11pm on day Two. There will also be an informal drink in a pub (venue to be announced) from Saturday lunchtime. In terms of the live music, this will begin at 6pm on each evening so you've got a few hours to watch, shop, meet, chat and puzzle!
So, if you decide to buy a ticket, here's what you get:
RARE VIDEO FOOTAGE played on large screens onstage; drawn from a variety of sources, rather than show whole concerts, there will be lots of individual tracks from Genesis and solo spanning their entire career. Many of you will have seen some of it, but I doubt there will be many of you that will have seen all of it!
SPECIAL GUESTS:
Special guests will be there to answer questions and sign copies of your albums! I sadly cannot confirm the exact number and identity of Special Guests, but over the weekend I can guarantee that you will get the chance to meet an ex-member of the band! Actually, two. Hell, probably three. I can say no more. Except... bring a copy of Trespass and you might get a couple of signatures!
THE QUIZ:
A demonically demanding quiz set by Alan Hewitt, with some awesome prizes donated by Genesis themselves - to give you a taster of what you can win, here's some (but not all) of what's going to be up for grabs:
- We Can't Dance Summer tour programme signed by Phil, Tony, Mike and Daryl;
- 'Genesis Lyrics' limited edition prints by Kim Poor, signed by Steve Hackett;
- Hand-drawn Cartoons from Phil Collins;
- 20 live concert CDs from Peter Gabriel, boxed in a flight case, with a signed card;
- Signed concert posters, press kits.
And this is just a selection of what we've got to give away!
STALLS:
There will also be stalls selling a heap of Genesis related material, as well as merchandise from all of the bands playing.
LIVE MUSIC:
6 live performances of Genesis and solo material, surely one of the largest and most varied selections of Genesis and related material ever performed live in one space?
DAY ONE:
- Doug Melbourne (ex-ReGenesis keyboards) and Tony Patterson (ReGenesis) to open, doing a short set of sound 'unplugged' Peter Gabriel numbers;
- Face Value to play a fantastic set, mainly of 80s Genesis and some Phil solo. Check out the new drummer!
- In the Cage to perform the classics from 1970 to 1980.
DAY TWO:
- G2 to play a classic set concentrating on the Trick of the Tail, Wind and Wuthering period of the band;
- The John Hackett Band, playing a mixture of solo material and brother Steve's classics;
- ReGenesis to wind up in a grand style, focusing mostly on the early period.
In a couple of years, it's very possible that Genesis themselves will reform and if that happens, I suspect we'll all buy tickets. In the meantime, if you can possibly get to the Astoria, this is a real treat for Genesis fans and at a reasonable price! Please come and support the event!