Big Big Train – A Flare on The Lens (2024)
Big Big Train’s latest live recording, A Flare on The Lens, is a two-disc symphonic progressive rock masterpiece that reaffirms the band’s place at the top of the genre. This album marks the first live release featuring the band’s new Italian vocalist, Alberto Bravin, who steps into the formidable shoes of the late David Longdon.
Following Longdon’s untimely passing in late 2021, finding a suitable replacement was undoubtedly a challenge. Yet, Bravin not only meets the high expectations but exceeds them with a performance that is both powerful and deeply emotive. His vocal talent shines throughout, as he skillfully performs the band’s rich catalog, forging an immediate and palpable connection with the audience. The listeners’ enthusiastic participation, including sing-alongs and call-and-response moments, attests to Bravin’s ability to engage and lead.
Musically, the album is equally impressive, presenting some of the finest talent from the UK, continental Europe, and the ubiquitous American drummer Nick D’Virgilio. The musicians deliver with a level of precision and passion that is a hallmark of Big Big Train’s sound. A notable highlight is the brass section, which has become a signature element of the band’s music. Rather than leaning towards the improvisational style often associated with jazz brass, Big Big Train’s brass arrangements evoke the grandeur and refinement of Western classical music, adding a layer of sophistication that sets the band apart in the progressive rock scene.
In September 2022, Big Big Train began their return to live performances, led by Bravin, following the tragic passing of their former singer. Their three shows in the UK and the Netherlands that year demonstrated the band’s potential to move forward, leading to the announcement of additional tour dates in August and September 2023 under the banner “The Journey Continues.”
The 2023 tour marked the band’s most ambitious effort to date. Big Big Train, which had initially performed sporadically in the 1990s before focusing solely on studio work, began gaining popularity after the release of 2009’s The Underfall Yard. In 2015, they returned to the stage after a 16-year hiatus with a three-show residency in London. Subsequent performances included a London residency in 2017, two shows in 2018—including a notable appearance at the Night Of The Prog festival in Germany—and their first UK tour in 2019. The band’s momentum was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the loss of their vocalist David Longdon.
Between 2015 and 2019, Big Big Train performed 14 shows. However, in 2022, they significantly increased their live appearances, with 17 shows across 21 days in nine countries. For the first time, the band played in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Switzerland, and Italy, alongside returning to Germany and the Netherlands. Despite the rigorous schedule, the band was met with enthusiastic receptions everywhere, concluding “The Journey Continues” tour with two well-received performances at London’s Cadogan Hall.
The Cadogan Hall shows are captured on A Flare On The Lens, a Blu-ray featuring the full performance from the second night, along with seven songs from the first night. The film runs approximately three hours and includes 17 songs and a three-song acoustic medley. The setlist features fan favorites like “East Coast Racer,” “Hedgerow,” and “Victorian Brickwork,” alongside live instrumental highlights such as “Apollo.” Also featured are newer tracks like “Love Is The Light” and “Oblivion,” both of which later appeared on the band’s March 2023 studio album, The Likes Of Us.
Musicians: Alberto Bravin on lead vocals, guitar, keyboards; Nick D’virgilio on drums, percussion, vocals, 12-string acoustic guitar, vocals; Oskar Holldorff on keyboards, vocals; Clare Lindley on violin, vocals; Rikard Sjöblom on guitars, keyboards, vocals; Gregory Spawton on bass, bass pedals, 12-string acoustic guitar.
Guests: Maria Barbieri on guitars; and The Big Big Train Brass Ensemble led by Dave Desmond.
Buy A Flare on The Lens.