Genesis Revisited - Foxtrot at 50 + Hackett Highlights

HOT on the heels of his most successful solo tour ever, Steve Hackett announces his:- 'Steve Hackett Genesis Revisited - Foxtrot at 50 + Hackett Highlights Tour' for 2022.  The tour will mark the 50th Anniversary of the legendary Genesis album Foxtrot which, in 1972, was pivotal in establishing the band as a major Force in British rock. Tickets are available now via:- MyTicket.Co.UK.
 
Guitarist Steve Hackett joined Genesis in 1971, making his band debut on the Nursery Cryme album which enjoyed a greater commercial success in Europe than the UK. After extensive touring, the band were encouraged, by audience reactions, to further experiment with ever longer compositions and develop their ability to incorporate strong narratives. This, in turn, allowed frontman, Peter Gabriel, more opportunity to indulge in the theatrics which helped to raise the band's profile.

Steve Hackett commented that:- "I think Foxtrot was a terrific achievement for Genesis at that time. I think there is not 1 weak track on the album, they all have their strong points and I'm really looking forward to doing the whole album live."

Foxtrot was critically acclaimed and became the 1st Genesis album to make the UK album charts. The 1st track, the sci-fi influenced Watcher of the Skies became a fan favourite and perennial live set opener while Get:- 'Em Out By Friday,' was a cutting slice of social comment about concrete tower blocks replacing aging slums, driven not by concern for communities, but by the greed of developers.
 
Hackett was the lead writer of Can Utility and the Coastliners, featuring some particularly strong musical ideas, and also contributed his classically-inspired solo piece Horizons:- "The original version was a rough mix but there was something about it. A rough monitor mix can have things that something more considered won't necessarily possess. I liked the sound of the rough mix, so we went with that."
 
The album's highlight was the 23 minute epic Supper's Ready which remains a concert favourite and featured on Hackett's recent:- 'Second's Out' tour:- "Supper's Ready' was a sojourn, an odyssey and something that goes down very, very well with audiences now." Hackett adds:- "As part of:- 'Second's Out' I've been playing the whole of that again, it really has stood the test of time. We were a young, struggling band at that time. By the time we were doing:- 'Foxtrot,' the band was becoming more ambitious.:- 'Foxtrot' is a must for fans of the early Genesis work. 50 years ago? It doesn't feel like those ideas are 50 years old because it was genre defining, rather than following trends. It still sounds current, now."
 
The Steve Hackett Genesis Revisited:- 'Foxtrot at 50 + Hackett Highlights Tour' also promises more Genesis favourites and highlights from Hackett's extensive solo catalogue.
 
Steve Hackett and his touring line up of Roger King (keyboards), Jonas Reingold (bass, backing vocals), Nad Sylvan (vocals), Rob Townsend (saxophone, flutes, additional keyboards) and Craig Blundell (drums) have recently completed the 31 date Genesis Revisited Seconds Out +More UK tour plus additional European dates. Hackett's most successful ever solo tour, this tour sold out most of the dates and received stunning reviews:-

Steve Hackett Genesis Revisited - Foxtrot at 50 + Hackett Highlights 2022 Tour dates:-
 

►  Friday, 9 September 2022 - Swansea Arena. ►  Saturday, 10 September 2022 - Cardiff St David's Hall. ►  Sunday, 11 September 2022 - Cambridge Corn Exchange. ►  Tuesday, 13 September 2022 - Aylesbury Waterside. ►  Wednesday, 14 September 2022 - Torquay Princess Theatre. ►  Friday, 16 September 2022 - Portsmouth Guildhall. ►  Saturday, 17 September 2022 - Bexhill De La Warr Pavilion. ►  Sunday, 18 September 2022 - Birmingham Symphony Hall. ►  Tuesday, 20 September 2022 - Hull City Hall. ►  Thursday, 22 September 2022 - Gateshead Sage. ►  Friday, 23 September 2022 - Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. ►  Saturday, 24 September 2022 - York Barbican. ►  Monday, 26 September 2022 - Buxton Opera House.

►  Tuesday, 27 September 2022 - Grimsby Auditorium. ►  Wednesday, 28 September 2022 - Northampton Derngate. ►  Friday, 30 September 2022 - Sheffield City Hall. ►  Saturday, 1 October 2022 - Manchester O2 Apollo. ►  Monday, 3 October 2022 - Southend Cliffs Pavilion. ►  Tuesday, 4 October 2022 - Ipswich Regent Theatre. ►  Wednesday, 5 October 2022 - Bath Forum. ►  Friday, 7 October 2022 - Leicester De Montfort Hall. ►  Saturday, 8 October 2022 - Liverpool Philharmonic. ►  Sunday, 9 October 2022 - Brighton Brighton Centre. ►  Tuesday, 11 October 2022 - Bournemouth Pavilion. ►  Wednesday, 12 October 2022 - London Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith.

Tickets for Steve Hackett Genesis Revisited - Foxtrot at 50 + Hackett Highlights are on sale from 10am on Friday, 10 December 2021 and can be purchased from:- MyTicket.Co.UK.  For more information and all the latest official news about Steve Hacket, please visit his website:- HjackettSongs.Com, or follow him on social media, on both:- Facebook and Twitter.
 

Reachout to save a life, a new suicide prevention campaign

A new suicide prevention campaign has launched, encouraging people to reach out and start a conversation; whether they are worried about someone; or are in crisis themselves. Reachout Liverpool; launched by Liverpool City Council's Public Health team in partnership with Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust and Alder Hey Children's Foundation Trust, reminds us that anyone can have suicidal thoughts, and how talking about suicide could save or change a life. It aims to raise awareness that suicide is preventable and to remove the stigma surrounding suicide; something which prevents people in crisis reaching out, and those around them from even mentioning the word. The project comes after the City has seen a significant increase in death by suicide in 2020; which could have been associated with the impact of Covid19, and the resulting anxiety from Lockdowns, social isolation and job and financial insecurity.

Councillor Frazer Lake, Cabinet Member for Social Care and Health, said:- "There is no single solution to suicide, but by people knowing the signs to look out for when someone is in crisis and having the confidence to start a conversation, they could save a life. Every suicide is a tragedy for the person involved, their family and friends and the wider community. It cannot be under estimated the effect every suicide has on our society, so it's important to work towards a world of zero suicide."

The Reachout campaign is made up of 3 parts:-

► See the problem; raising awareness of what to look out for, including the signs, behaviours and emotions a person in crisis might be displaying.

► Say the words and start a conversation; we have partnered with the Zero Suicide Alliance who offer a 20 minute training video which provides people with the skills and confidence to reach out to someone in crisis.

►  Signpost to support; providing information on local services that offer 24/7 crisis support.

The campaign also reaches out to people in crisis, encouraging them to speak to friends, family or professionals and letting them know change is possible, and that they can feel better.

Backing the campaign is Lindsay, a 34 year old Council Worker, from Liverpool, who has herself been in crisis.  Lindsay has attempted to take her own life on several occasions and is passionate about the need to talk about feelings of suicide; and ensuring people get the help they need.

Lindsay was just 14 years old when she began suffering from depression and anxiety and started to self harm. She struggled until her early twenties when she sought help and received counselling. 5 years later, she hit rock bottom as she saw a return of her difficulties and severe symptoms. Lindsay's mental health deteriorated she was eventually admitted to a psychiatric Hospital where she was diagnosed with a depressive disorder. Lindsay said:- "This is such an important campaign and very personal to me, as I understand how vital it is to get this issue out in the open. I feel that many people are still scared to talk about it, but we have to feel ok about talking about it. It also addresses some of the myths around talking about suicide. For example, some people think that raising the subject of suicide with someone will put the idea in their head - but it's the opposite, it gives them permission to talk. I would encourage as many people as possible to get involved; it could save a life."

In 2020, England saw a 6% increase in deaths from suicide, compared to the previous year. In Liverpool these figures are even more troubling, as the City saw a 25% increase in the same period. Professor Matthew Ashton, Liverpool's Director of Public Health, said:- "Suicide is a serious public health problem; and with the right support it is preventable. When people have the skills and confidence to broach the subject it can make all the difference. The prevention of suicide has not been adequately addressed due to a lack of awareness of suicide as a major public health problem, and the taboo in many societies to openly discuss it. Raising community awareness and breaking down the taboo is important to make progress in preventing suicide; but this is only part of this story. Addressing why people are in crisis and linking them up with the right kind of support is central to prevention; whether that's signposting to debt management, counselling for relationship breakdowns or treatment for substance abuse or anxiety."

Liverpool men are still more likely to die by suicide than women, with 4 out of every 5 deaths affecting them; however during 2020 there was also a small but significant increase for women. Dr Claire Iveson, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Clinical and Strategic Lead for Zero Suicide said:- "While the link between suicide and serious mental health problems is well established, particularly depression and substance use; many people take their own life out of utter despair, whilst in moments of crisis or prolonged psychological pain. If someone then makes a suicide attempt, their risk of dying by suicide increases; so we want to do all we can to prevent them making an attempt in the 1st place. The average age of a person who died by suicide in 2020 was 44 years, but this ranged from 16 all the way up to 84. Removing the social stigma surrounding suicide is desperately needed across the generations, so that people in crisis can access the help they need and equally those who are worried, then feel confident that they have the skills to start those difficult, but critical conversations."

In the past 10 years, the highest number of suicide deaths have occurred during March; making up 11% of all cases, with twice as many deaths happening within our most deprived communities.

Are you having suicidal thoughts or worried about that someone you know is?

Speak to a friend, family member or someone you trust as they may be able to help you feel calmer and find some breathing space. If someone is in immediate danger call:- 999 or take them to A&E.  If you can't think of anyone right now, or you just don't want to talk to loved ones or you feel completely alone, there is help out there, you are not alone.

Under 18...

Freephone:- Alder Hey Crisis Care on:- 08081963550, or text:- the word:- 'GREEN' to:- 85258. This service offers a trained and experienced team is on hand ready to listen and offer urgent mental health support, 24 hours a day 7days a week.

18 and over...

Freephone:- Mersey Care NHS on:- 0800145 6570. Text:- the word:- 'HEAL' to:- 85258. This service also offers a trained and experienced team is on hand ready to listen and offer urgent mental health support, 24 hours a day, 7days a week. The text services are free, confidential 24/7 text message support which are available for anyone who is feeling overwhelmed or is struggling to cope.

For more information visit:- ReachoutsSuicidePrevention.Co.UK.