Porcupine Tree Concert Setlist at Club Nokia, Los Angeles, CA, USA on September 19, 2009

Flew in from Phoenix for the show. This was a first time for me to see the boys. Checked out prior setlists and was stoked to see Mother + Child Divided and Russia on Ice as being previously played. Unfortunately those tracks didn't make the cut tonight. Still, the show was a good one with the boys playing very tightly. Highlights were Part 2 of Anesthetize and .3. There were a few technical glitches (Steven's acoustic lost power at one point, and the bridge was misplaced on another track, which hurt a bit of the continuity. Plus, John Wesley's guitars were far too quiet in the mix, often lost in his solos against the thundering drums and bass,which were perhaps over enhanced. Personally, I've listened to the Incident about 6 times thru now, and its still taking a bit to grow on me. I keep getting stuck on the heavy Floydian feel to it - borrowing dangerously close to sections of Sheep and Dogs from Animals and even sections from the Wall (the song where the flowers entwine and eventually one swallows the other) can't remember the track name. Personally I find Gavin and Colin heavily subdued on the Incident, lending its sound more along the lines of a Wilson solo album. Still, it might eventually grow on me, as there are moments of greatness (I drive the Hearse). Overall, I'd give the show a 3.5 out of 5 mainly due to the setlist choice and technical snafus. I'll be seeing them again in NYC next week so we'll see if they manage to pump up the rating any.

That was one hell of an amazing show. Words can't describe how great it.

Hahah apparently I'm still pretty buzzed from the night before. I meant to say: "Words can't describe how great it was."

First off,I was a huge Porcupine Tree fan. The show last night was completely flat and devoid of all emotion. I always pictured a PT show to be high energy with audience screaming and beong moved by the music, it was none of that. My friend made a comment that really hit home, "it looks like just another day at the office" for them at a job they no longer care about. It breaks my heart to write this review because I was so excited to see this show. Everyone in my group of 4, including me, was grossly disappointed overall. One specific critique, they cram their new album down your throat for the first 55 minutes. Shouldn't they be more concerned about getting the crowd into the show for the first 55 minutes then mix new in with the old as the show progresses. Fear of a Blank Planet was the album that hooked me on PT, and they didn't even play "Normal", my favorite tune.

I've been a PT fan for the last 6+ years. First saw them live on the last tour for Blank Planet & was blown away by how good they were live. They exceeded the expectations that I had set up in my head from really getting into the PT albums. Well, after seeing them for the second time this time I was blown away again. Once again the expectations I had from the last tour were exceeded. The stage show was more cohesive. The sound quality was great & the band was really ON! Also, I don't remember the last time I've been to a show with the audience so in tune with the band, reacting on que. PT is one of a few bands today who are carrying the torch for great music of our generation (Rush, Floyd, early Genesis, etc.) & their execution rivals modern day live powerhouses like Tool, Radiohead & NIN.

I've gotta disagree with almost everything the above "Jeff Edwards" said. The crowd was into it more than any P.T. show in the Los Angeles area in years- and I've seen quite a few P.T. shows. "Flat and devoid of emotion"??? Not from where I sat. And as far as them "cramming" their stellar new album down your throat- you should be thankful to have tasted it- it was a slice of P.T history, probably never to be served up again.

The drive from San Fran to LA was a breeze... LA was a far cry from the culture we found in San Fran... The venue was a red carpet - high society type of place & the show suffered from anal security - frigid air conditioning - and expensive beverages... The performance was once again fantastic and a few changes in the setlist made the drive worthwhile.... Next time, I will remember my suit and tie for this venue... lol....