Live review: Caravan's prog rock remains vital
Caravan deliver a unique hometown show in Canterbury, Kent...
By Mike Paterson
Prog rock pioneers and legends Caravan took to the stage at Westgate Hall in their hometown of Canterbury, in Kent, on October 26 to a hall full right to the brim in anticipation.
Now appearing as a stripped down acoustic band, the line-up currently features Caravan founders Pye Hastings and Geoff Richardson plus Mike Walker, regular drummer-and-percussionist since 2013.
First formed in 1968 as The Wilde Flowers, Caravan were a leading light on the "Canterbury Scene" along with Kevin Ayers, Hugh Hopper and Robert Wyatt who all later went on to form the equally iconic Soft Machine.
The present day fans were treated to a sublime show of interpretations of old classics such as In the Land of Grey and Pink, Golf Girl, For Richard, Place of My Own and Nine Feet Underground, all of which were met with rapturous applause.
An early start of 7pm suited both band and audience for a show split by an interval - all appropriately civilised in a comfortable theatre. Don't let that fool you though, this was no pipe and slippers event as the boys turned back the years and gave a high octane performance showing why there were such a vital band..
Legends indeed...
