Gene

4th October 2025 at Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith

This gig was sold out before I heard about it. I had no inkling that Gene were planning to reform and tour but I – along with the rest of the packed out Apollo – am absurdly pleased that they did.

I had a much loved recording of Gene at the Royal Albert Hall (taped off Radio 1) in March 1997 that would lull me into a meditative state to allow my teenage self to Sleep Well Tonight indeed. The set was a mix of tracks from different albums and as a live show, had a warmer tone and greater depth than recordings. 

At 8.30 sharp, the lush red curtains open and an image of the Hammersmith Apollo flashes up on the stage – London Will You Wait?

I think the audience would agree I think we’ve waited quite long enough!

But a fantastic choice for an opener (I wonder if they started with that in Sheffield or Leeds earlier this week?!), it got the London crowd singing and swaying along. Swiftly followed by one of my favourites, Be My Light, Be My Guide. Beautiful. 

Martin Rossiter was on stage in a red suit, white haired, with a hint of Larry Lamb about him, joined by the original band members. Steve Mason on guitar, Kevin Miles on bass, Matt James on drums, along with stalwart Mick Talbot on keyboards. 

The band played one long-lost classic after another. We Could Be Kings. Where Are They Now? Sleep Well Tonight. Haunted By You. Many more that I sang along to but forget the titles of. 

A spotlight on Martin brought the tempo down a little for the melodic Speak To Me Someone.

The vocals take me right back to my live tape and I’m so happy to be hearing Gene live again. The nostalgia is strong in this audience. 

Martin jokes that they won’t be playing Olympian tonight, but then slowly launches into arguably their best known song. 

The set then closes with one of my favourites, For the Dead.

Back for the encore, the band played another handful of songs including You’ll Never Walk Again and ending with a rausing version of Fighting Fit. 

But wait, there’s more! A second encore brings the band back onstage for another few songs, finally ending with Who Said This Was the End?

Great band, great songs, great night!