Manoel Island crowd sways to classic Rock

The audience at the Classic Rock Festival last night had plenty to cheer about when former Marillion and Supertramp frontmen Fish and Roger Hodgson stirred, soothed and rocked Manoel Island.

The historic and normally sedate Fort Manoel swayed to an eclectic line-up of musicians who belted out songs spanning two decades.

The crowd was a blend of youngsters, who were not even born when Supertramp released their classic album Breakfast in America, and middle-aged men who clearly remember Fish and Roger Hodgson in their heyday.

The evening got off to a fine start as local band Winter Moods provided a perfect appetiser, performing a medley of their repertoire, and in the process confirming why they are possibly the best rock outfit in Malta.

Next up was Fish, who was warmly greeted by his legion of fans in Malta, who sang and clapped to his songs.

Most of the former Marillion frontman's set-list consisted mainly of tracks from his latest album Field of Crows, though the biggest cheer was reserved for Kayleigh, one of his classics with his ex-band.

Roger Hodgson then stepped on the stage for a run-through of his former band's hits and fan favourites such as The Logical Song, A Long Way Home and Give a Little Bit.

The soothing voice of 54-year-old Hodgson was a throwback to the 1970s when Supertramp were a multi-million selling band.

The festival comes to an end this evening with performances by former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett and Seventies masters Jethro Tull.

In contrast to his performance at the Manoel Theatre two years ago, Hackett and his band are expected to play a number of classic tunes by Genesis.

Fronted by floutist Ian Anderson, Jethro Tull are guaranteed to be firm favourites with the crowd, and have managed to sound fresh and invigorated live, even if all band members are edging towards their sixties.

Opening the festival will be local rockers Beangrowers. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Two parking areas are available for patrons on Manoel Island itself, close to the concert venue.