Steven Wilson believes the album format will survive – and the success of his latest album Hand. Cannot. Erase. has fuelled his confidence.
It tells the story of a character who vanishes into the social gaps of modern society, based on the real-life experiences of Joyce Carol Vincent, whose body was found two years after she died in her London flat.
And its sales figures lead him to believe people want to immerse themselves in heavy concepts.
Wilson tells One On One With Mitch Lafon: “If you’d asked me five years ago I would have been more negative. I’m cautiously optimistic.
“The fact that this album has been by far the most successful of my career, while being the most concept-driven thing I’ve ever done, makes me think things aren’t that bad.”
He adds: “Every time there’s a big swing in a particular direction there’s always a swing back. What we’re seeing right now is a world of streaming, where there’s a juke-box mentality and you follow the links from one song to another.
“At the same time there are a lot of people who have revelled against that and they’re getting back into the art of album listening.”
His opinion is informed by talking to a wide range of people, including younger fans. He reports: “They’re completely embracing the idea of the album as an art form, as a story-telling device, and embracing the album as analogous with going to see a movie or reading a book.”
Wilson reflects: “I’m not naive enough to believe the album will ever be as culturally significant as it was in the 60s, 70s or even the 90s. But I do see a healthy swing back.”
Hand. Cannot. Erase. tour
Jun 26: Toronto Darnforth Music Hall, ON
Jun 27: Montreal Jazz Festival, QC
Jun 28: Montreal Jazz Festival, QC
Jun 29: Quebec City Imperial, QC
Jun 30: Gatineau Theatre du Casino du Lac-Leamy, QC
Jul 12: Bospop Festival, Netherlands
Jul 17: Guitare en Scene, France
Sep 15: Lisbon Meo Arena Sala Tejo, Portugal
Sep 16: Madrid La Riviera, Spain
Sep 17: Barcelona Barts Theatre, Spain
Sep 18: Toulouse Casino, France
Sep 20: Zurich Komplex, Switzerland
Sep 21: Cremona Teatro Ponchielli, Italy
Sep 22: Rome Auditorium Conciliazione, Italy
Sep 24: Fribourg Fri-son, Switzerland
Sep 25: Luxembourg Rockhal, Luxembourg
Sep 26: Lille Theatre Sebastopol, France
Sep 28: London Royal Albert Hall
Sep 29: London Royal Albert Hall
Jan 12: Stuttgart Liederhalle Hegel Saal, Germany
Jan 13: Munich Philharmonie, Germany
Jan 15: Bochum Jahrhundert Halle, Germany
Jan 16: Hamburg CCH1, Germany
Jan 18: Berlin Tempodrom, Germany
Jan 19: Frankfurt Alte Oper, Germany
Jan 20: Leipzig Haus Auensee, Germany
Jan 21: Hannover Swiss Life Halle, Germany
Jan 23: Brussela AB Hall, Belgium
Jan 25: Brighton Dome, UK
Jan 26: Bristol Colston Hall, UK
Jan 27: London Hammersmith Apollo, UK
Jan 29: Manchester O2 Apollo, UK
Jan 30: Newcastle City Hall, UK
Feb 01: Paris Palais de Congres, France
Feb 05: Copenhagen Koncerthuset, Denmark
Feb 07: Bergen USF Verftet, Norway
Feb 09: Stockholm Annexet, Sweden
