So I went to see Porcupine Tree again last night. They were in San Francisco at the Regency, a converted movie theater. Never seen a show in that place before (I did see movies there until the mid-80s or so tho), I think they only very recently started having concerts there. Then again, maybe I just don't get out enough. Beautifully ornate post '06 quake victorian fillagree joint. Kinda dingy and tattered. Just right for a rock hall. There were some terrible dead spots for acoustics under the balcony tho.

I've seen this band every time they've come to SF since 2000 or so. I think this is my 5th or 6th show. They just get tighter and tighter, more and more self-assured and polished every time they pass thru.

Wilson really made an effort to include a block of songs "We've never played in San Francisco before" which I thought was a class act as much of the audience were repeat customers. They played "Don't Hate Me", one of my favorite PT songs for it's lengthy spacerock middle section. Extremely Floydy. Then they played a new song. An incredibly difficult and very metallic instrumental. I have no idea what time it was in, but I do know that bobbing the head in time with it was impossible for the entire audience and that it rocked unmercifully. Again, what a TIGHT band. I can only grin and shake my head in disbelief when I think about it.

Another thing I noticed with this tour is that Wilson really went off on some moments of very Frippertronic-y ambience. Clearly he picked up on a lot when they toured with Bob opening for them last year. One can tire of that sorta thing quickly and Wilson only used it for moments of counterpoint to the heavy and loud sections so it ended up working really well. He understands that it's better as a side dish than a whole meal.

Drummer Gavin Harrison simply put on a clinic all night. The guy was so damned syncopated and effortlessly driving. Truly, an amazing drummer. They were all really solid. Barbieri seemed a bit more up in the mix that usual and the vocals were a bit hot and distorted sounding. I could see complaining about the sound between the mix and the acoustics. It seems to be a common complaint about this band. I found it sounded better the closer you got to the stage. I bet it sounded like crap to those wearing earplugs. Go figure.

The audience was really diverse. Sure, there were the proggers in their Marillion and Nearfest t-shirts, but there were also lots of families with early teens in tow (clearly the parents weren't dragged to the show by the kids TOO unwillingly), there were a ton of metal-types, a bongload of jamband types. We were talking to a guy before the show who seemed to be a Ramones fan. Lots of women. Soem reluctant girlfriends, but most of them were clearly fans. I saw little kids, under 10, I saw a few guys that were about 60, maybe older.

I am just mystified by crossover appeal of this band. Why do they appeal to so may different types of people and WHY do they not get US radioplay, and where did all these people hear about Porcupine Tree?

Great band. Great night out. Can't wait for the upcoming live DVD. It should KILL.