Marillion & Iamthemorning 21-11-2023
In early 2020, I had planned to see Iamthemorning live. This Russian duo, consisting of singer Marjana Semkina and pianist Gleb Kolyadin, plays classical progressive music in their own unique style. They were scheduled to perform at the stage café of De Boerderij in Zoetermeer. I had contacted the label I also photograph The Pineapple Thief for about photographing their performance. But then a virus suddenly threw a wrench in the works...
In the years that followed, a war broke out, which separated the couple. Marjana was already living in England, but Gleb was still in Russia when the war broke out. And since Russians were no longer welcome anywhere due to the war, they couldn't reunite until early 2023.
When I saw they were touring with Marillion this year, I immediately decided to buy a ticket. This was a fantastic opportunity to finally see them, and also to see guitar hero Steven Rothery in action with Marillion. And remarkably, I received permission from Iamthemorning themselves a few days beforehand to photograph the show—the entire set, in fact, with both bands. An opportunity I naturally jumped at.
Iamthemorning's performance was a success. In a sold-out Roma, a former movie theater, they introduced the hardcore Marillion fans to their music. They explained that after benefit performances for Ukrainian war victims, they were now truly no longer welcome in Russia and how Marillion had invited them. They also got the audience clapping along to the song 5/4, in five-quarter time, of course. It was great to see the duo reunited and how Marjana completely immersed herself in the music, dancing happily and acting out the stories from the songs.
After Iamthemorning, it was time for Marillion. They kicked things off with The Invisible Man. Frontman Steve Hogarth "H"'s energetic delivery was immediately noticeable. A challenge, but also a gift for the concert photographers among us. He regularly changed his outfit or instrument. And he knew exactly how to get the audience on their feet.
And of course, guitarist Steven Rothery didn't disappoint with his tasteful guitar playing. The band sounded fantastic, too. It was already clear from the sound barrier around the drum kit that attention had been paid to ensuring each instrument would be properly highlighted in the sound mix. It's quite a feat to master this, even in older venues like this.
After fan favorite Easter, Marillion played material from their latest album, An Hour Before It's Dark. An album born from the difficult past years of crisis and their concerns about the future of the world.
It was a pleasure to see, hear, and photograph Iamthemorning and Marillion together in the beautiful Roma venue. A successful evening with many fans who went home satisfied. Watch the full report below.
