Seth Lakeman Trio – Holmfirth Pictuedrome – Thursday 11th December 2025

To quote the opening line from Marillion’s debut album –

SO HERE WE ARE ONCE MORE

As if we’d not done enough miles on Seth Lakeman’s ongoing Granite Way tour… Four dates in October around the North West spoiled us so we break out the passports and head over the passes to Yorkshire for a return to Holmfirth’s splendid Picturedrome. A favourite venue of the ATB team and of Seth and last here three years ago for a full band set. This time it’s the trio again – same sketch as October but with Archie Churchill-Moss dropping out and fresh from touring with the legend that is Martin Barre, Alex Hart stepping in.

The Picturedrome is a venue that seems to bring out the best in Seth. Back in 2011 we were here around the same time of year when brother Sean was on guitar (Benji also in the band) with the stage backdrop of Widow Twanky’s parlour from the panto season. Maybe the seasonal jollies are at work as again he bounces onstage with a huge grin, a wave and a bit of friendly banter, exuding the sort of bonhomie that suggests a good night is imminent.

CHANGES AFOOT

Changes in the line up but the setlist retains much of what we heard in October as the increasingly large catalogue is explored. The songs might remain the same but there are the tweaks that come with different musical expertise that Alex brings. Her harmonium adds a rich bottom end whilst her guitar tree is as full of assorted stringed things and along with Seth and Benji’s multiple string selections, there’s no need, or space, for any Christmas trees on stage. ANy need to restring that lot would require a day off and cause a severe dent in the tour profits.

Three guitars, park any possible visions of Status Quo, see the return of The White Hare. Having Alex on vocals also helps. Like a couple of songs from what Seth calls “the early albums” (The Colliers, the Bold Knight), a slight tapping on the brakes on tempos give them a different feel. A little like the opposite of what he used to do with High St Rose, that was played so fats that it was renamed in some quarters as ‘High Speed Boat’. Not quite a re-interpretation in Dylan ‘totally unrecognizable’ terms, but enough to keep things interesting and for the fans to raise an eyebrow.

HIGHLIGHTS…

…(for us) are the ominous vibe of Roll Back The Years and the jaunty bounce of Rambling Sailor that always allows for a namecheck for the evening’s locations (where there will, indeed, be lasses a-plenty). Side By Side – “We love playing that one; it goes round and round – the hypnotic beauty of music,” adds Seth – is one approved by all both on and off stage. The coda goes on almost as long as the now extended Setting Of The Sun with its elongated “soooonnnn” part. They’re going to have some fun with that methinks.

After the trio do their drinking song off mic and Alex dons another instrument strapping on the electric bass, we head towards the moment that sees Seth in solo mode. He’s always going to finish the set with Kitty Jay. Even twenty more years down the line, we can foresee the band leaving Seth alone in the spotlight. What form it may take, who knows as it’s gradually evolved and shape shifted over the years into what it is now – a psyche fest tinged workout that would sit comfortably in a Hawkwind set.

It’s been too long. Not since seeing Seth, but a note is made to return to the Picturedrome again asap.

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