Hawkwind – Live At The Royal Albert Hall (Cherry Red records, 2024)
Legendary space rock innovators Hawkwind released their latest live album, Live at the Royal Albert Hall, in late December 2024. The album captures their dazzling performance that took place at the iconic London venue on September 29, 2023.
The three-disc release features a thrilling mix of tracks from their acclaimed 2023 studio album, The Future Never Waits, alongside classics from their extensive back catalog. These include fan favorites such as the hooky and hard rocking “Levitation”; and the equally popular “Spirit of the Age,” “Master of the Universe,” and “Assault and Battery.” Additionally, a third disc includes exclusive rehearsal material, with tracks like “Mask of Morning,” “Frozen in Time,” and the beautifully trancy “Underwater City,” the latter recorded for their 2024 studio album, Stories From Time and Space.
The highlights of the albums for me are the transitions and passages when the band switches from frenzied hard rock to progressive psychedelia, using solo synths, spacy keyboard atmospheres and soaring progressive rock-style electric guitars.
Available on CD and as a triple vinyl set (to follow in January 2025), the album spans Hawkwind’s storied discography while introducing newer material, such as “Rama (The Prophecy)” and the live debut of “Underwater City.”
The Royal Albert Hall performance featured the core lineup of Dave Brock, Richard Chadwick, Magnus Martin, Doug MacKinnon, and Tim “Thighpaulsandra” Lewis. Their collective musicianship delivered a wild space trip experience, amplified by a surprise guest appearance from Arthur Brown, who added poetic interludes and theatrical flair between songs.
The band’s new studio album, There Is No Space For Us, set for release in spring 2025 to coincide with upcoming live performances.
Musicians: Dave Brock on guitars, vocals, and keyboards; Richard Chadwick on drums; Magnus Martin on guitar and keyboards; Doug MacKinnon on bass; Tim “Thighpaulsandra” Lewis on synthesizers and keyboards; and Arthur Brown on spoken word.