Prog rock celebrates revival as Steven Wilson closes in on first number one It’s 40 years since prog rock’s sprawling concept albums dominated the charts. But now the genre that refused to die […]

It’s 40 years since prog rock’s sprawling concept albums dominated the charts.

But now the genre that refused to die is back on top with Steven Wilson, the “king of prog rock”, on course to score his first ever number one.

To The Bone, the fifth studio album by the cult London musician, is top of the Official UK Albums Chart, according to a midweek update. The i newsletter cut through the noise Email address is invalid Email address is invalid Thank you for subscribing! Sorry, there was a problem with your subscription.

Decades after the likes of Yes, Genesis and ELP turned listeners on to prog’s elaborate concepts and extended symphonic passages, the 49 year-old multi-instrumentalist has brought progressive music to a new audience.

‘Progressive pop’

Wilson, former lead vocalist of Porcupine Tree, is set to beat his previous solo peak of number 13 with To The Bone, a collection which features Pink Floyd-style soundscapes, nods to Peter Gabriel’s 80s pop hits and a nine-minute epic Detonation about fundamentalist terrorism, which asks “whiny god, who the f*** are you?”.

Wilson told the i: “I’m following every record company update. I’ve been doing this for 25 years so even getting into the top three would be more than I ever dreamed of.”

The “prog” label – Wilson prefers “music that exists without a genre” – has hindered his career.

“I’ve got used to being ignored. ‘Progressive’ means you get brushed under the carpet. Prog is in Radiohead’s DNA but for pragmatic reasons they deny it.”

Wilson added: “Perhaps this success means the ice is melting. I’ve had four Grammy nominations and sold out two nights at the Royal Albert Hall but anything prog is automatically marginalised by the mainstream.”

To The Bone is “progressive pop”, Wilson said. Its sound was influenced by mid-period Depeche Mode, Tears for Fears, Kate Bush and Gabriel’s So album – artists who were able to match darker lyrical themes and ambitious arrangements with memorable pop melodies during the 80s.

Battle with Sheeran

Wilson, who fears Ed Sheeran will ultimately displace him when the chart is announced on Friday, believes audiences are ready to listen to lengthier tracks.

“People don’t have a problem watching a feature film or reading a novel so why can’t a song take them on a journey? I think the pendulum is coming back in my direction.”

He also believes that mainstream musicians have a responsibility to address issues like terrorism after the Manchester Arena attack, which targeted pop fans.

Radiohead are prog too

Jerry Ewing, editor of Prog magazine, which has championed Wilson, said: “This is a phenomenal result. Steven has adapted the 80s style of Gabriel and Kate Bush and made it fit a classic prog base.” “Music fans have been listening to Muse and Radiohead for years without picking up that is is prog.”

Ewing said Wilson could score the first “authentic” prog number once since the “golden era” of Pink Floyd, ELP, Yes and Genesis in the mid-70s.

Marillion, the rock band with prog roots, scored a number one album in 1985 with their Misplaced Childhood album.

@adamsherwin10