Four Peter Gabriel classic concerts coming to vinyl

Four albums will be released by Real World

Across the months of August, September, October and November 2020, four classic Peter Gabriel concerts will be released on vinyl by Real World. Three of them for the first time. A 20 year period of live performance is captured by the four releases, and over forty different songs. Timing of the releases is designed to help the independent music retail sector as stores begin to open again.

All the albums have been Half-Speed Remastered and cut to lacquers at 33 RPM by Matt Colton at Alchemy Mastering, mastered by Tony Cousins at Metropolis and overseen by Peter Gabriel’s sound engineer Richard Chappell. The LPs also come with a hi-res audio download code.

The series commences with Plays Live, Peter Gabriel’s first live album from 1983, which will be re-released on 2 LP on August 28th. The album was compiled from live recordings made at four venues across the American Midwest in late 1982. It is effectively a sign-off to the first phase of Peter Gabriel the solo artist. As such, it’s a celebration of all that was achieved on his opening quartet of self-titled long-players, while also standing as confirmation that Gabriel was an engaged and engaging frontman. The 2 LP artwork replicates the original vinyl release with all imagery newly re-scanned.

A month later, we jump forward musically to the tour that supported the release of Peter Gabriel’s fifth solo album, So, with the release of Live in Athens 1987 on September 25th. Recorded at the open-air theatre above the Greek capital, Live in Athens 1987, captures the final shows of the This Way Up world tour and five musicians at the peak of their game, playing the songs from the album that had catapulted Gabriel into the pop stratosphere. The show features a special guest appearance by the young Youssou N’Dour on a rousing rendition of “In Your Eyes.” Though previously a concert film, this is the first time on vinyl for Live in Athens 1987, presented as a 2 LP set, with brand new artwork by Marc Bessant, Gabriel’s long-time designer.

By the third release on October 23rd, we find ourselves immersed in the spectacle of the Secret World Live Tour. Conceived by Gabriel and Robert Lepage, this is the show that accompanied the release of the US album and features a collection of songs that spans Gabriel’s solo career until that point; from debut single “Solsbury Hill” to “Digging In The Dirt,” “Steam” and “Blood Of Eden.” All delivered in a thoroughly committed and total performance by Gabriel and band and recorded over two nights at the Palasport in Modena, Italy in November 1993. Special guest appearance by Papa Wemba. This is the first time on vinyl for Secret World Live, which is presented as a 2 LP set.

The last release of this series is Growing Up Live, released on November 27th. Following the release of his album UP, Peter Gabriel went on the road for the first time in a decade. Once again collaborating with production designer Robert Lepage to create a spectacular and theatrical live experience, with the band performing in the round. The concert was recorded over two nights at the Filaforum in Milan in May 2003 and features notable contributions from the likes of The Blind Boys of Alabama, Dr. Hukwe and Charles Zawose, Sevara Nazarkhan and the voice of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Previously a concert film, it is the first time on vinyl for Growing Up Live, presented as a 3LP set in gatefold sleeve, designed by Marc Bessant.

Plays Live – 2 LP

Live in Athens 1987 – 2 LP

Secret World Live – 2 LP

Growing Up Live – 3 LP