Fish looking forward to Saturday's concert

Former Marillion frontman Fish is looking forward to next Saturday when thousands of classic rock lovers are expected to flock to Manoel Island for the first edition of the Malta Classic Rock Festival.

Wearing a hat and sunglasses to complement his casual look, the Scottish vocalist, writer and actor explained that this is the fourth time he is performing in Malta... "So, I must be doing something right", he joked.

"I love the island. I've been here loads of times and I have lots of friends here... It is very peaceful, very relaxed. Everyone's really friendly and I don't feel under pressure."

Speaking to the press on the location of the festival, the artist said Saturday's audience is to expect a mix of his works and, although he has performed in Malta before, he guaranteed a different set saying that, just like a film, the audience would know the story line but not know what to expect.

On a more introspective tone, Fish - whose music has been described as a brave statement in days of banal musical small talk - said he had become very disillusioned with the music business and did not feel he formed part of it.

The music industry, he said, has become somewhat institutionalised. Too many albums that offer only two great tracks as opposed to 60 minutes worth are being released.

Speaking with hindsight after 20 years exposure to the music world, he said he felt sorry for those bands that were forced to make such compromises due to the pressures of the business.

In Malta the situation is very different, he continued, where Maltese musicians had to leave their country since building up a musical career from Malta alone was "absolutely impossible."

When Fish left Marillion, following a musical disagreement in 1988, he returned to his native Scotland to renovate an old farmhouse with it's cluster of adjacent buildings and pursued a career as a solo artist.

He is currently touring with his six-man band made up of guitarists Bruce Watson and Frank Usher, Steve Vantsis on bass, Tony Turrell on keyboards, drummer Windsor McGilvray and backing vocalist Danny Gillan.

The touring is scheduled to run until next month after which Fish plans to devote a year to acting and screenplay writing.

The summer of 2005 will see a return to the stage as Fish plans to take a production of the 1985 Marillion album Misplaced Childhood out on a major tour with his solo band plus special guests. But back to the present. Fish will first be playing at the Malta Classic Rock Festival, which consists of six acts spread over two days. It opens on Saturday with local act Winter Moods followed by Fish and ex-Supertramp vocalist and composer Roger Hodgson.

On Sunday the audience will experience the music of local band Beangrowers followed by Jethro Tull with former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett closing the festival.

During the festival, there will be a small number of seating arrangements while the rest of the audience will be standing.

Tickets (Lm15 for one night and Lm25 for a block ticket) may be purchased online or from all Exotique outlets. For further information call Ticket Hotline 7900-7625 or e-mail NnG Promotions at info@nngpromotions.com