Nick Barrett(►more photos)

After buying the EP Fly High Fall Far (1984) and the first LP The Jewel (1985), late 1985 I witnessed the first Dutch Pendragon concert, as a support-act for Marillion, during the Misplaced Childhood tour. And now, anno 25, forty years later Pendragon was the main act in the music temple De Boerderij, the Neo Prog veterans were welcomed very warmly, in a packed house. Prime mover and only original band member Nick Barrett (although Peter Gee and Clive Nolan can be considered as long-time Pendragon members) told the crowd that this tour is a tribute to The World (1991), the record that sold very well after a very bad period, from that moment things went uphill for Pendragon.

The first part of this concert was dedicated to The World. The band played the entire album. Highlights were for me the 'trademark Pendragon' songs The Voyager and the compelling Queen Of Hearts suite. I often got wet eyes, how great that Pendragon is still alive, they gave me so much joy in the 80s and 90s! The sound of the band was embellished with two skilled female background singers (who played additional flute and violin) and Rog Patterson on the 12-string acoustic guitar (he also did the acclaimed support-act). After a very nice acoustic break with King Of The Castle the band continued with strong renditions of Eternal Light

Pendragon on stage (►more photos)

(exciting heavy riffs by Nick), Kow Tow (in 1987 I attended the tour in Het Paard, The Hague, after the concert Nick and Peter enjoyed some huge marihuana cigarettes, "We love Holland!") and my favourite Alaska featuring Clive Nolan with his spectacular synthesizer flights. The track 360 Degrees featured the folky side of Pendragon with Nick Barrett on the mandolin and Johanna Stroud on violin. Lots of extended guitar soli in Indigo and Afraid Of Everything, and the encore Breaking The Spell. Nick Barrett impressed me with his varied guitar sound, the one moment with obvious hints from Steve Hackett and David Gilmour, the other moment creating his own sound with a serie of effects pedals, including lots of wah-wah, really awesome.

Singer/guitarist Nick Barrett was backed by a tight and experienced unit, the band also sounded very inspired and were obviously pleased with the great reactions by the crowd. Forty years after their Dutch debut Pendagon is still alive and Neo Progging, thanks!

Text & Pictures by Erik Neuteboom (edited by Dave Smith)