Genesis have confirmed their live UK comeback, some 13 years after their final show took place.
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The legendary group – whose modern line-up is considered to consist of core members Phil Collins, Mike Rutherford and Tony Banks – last performed together in 2007 to mark their 40th anniversary.
Appearing on Zoe Ball’s breakfast show, the band explained how Phil Collins’ son Nick – who has been his father’s live drummer in recent years – played a huge role in their decision to reunite.
“I think it’s a natural moment. Phil’s been out on tour for the last two-and-a-half years and his son Nick has been drumming, so it seemed like the natural moment to have a conversation about it. We’re all still good friends, we’re all above grass and here we are!,” said Rutherford.
Collins, who is unable to play drums anymore, explained: “For me, it was something that was working and it was a problem we had to overcome, although I’ll be doing my best to play some bits on the tour. I’ve been working out what songs to play, but Tony and Mike came to the shows at the Albert Hall and both were taken with the way he understood what was needed.
“He plays a bit like me when he wants to. I’m one of his many influences, being his dad. He plays like me and he kinda has the same attitude as me, so that was a good starter.”
Rutherford added: “It feels great. It feels like the right time.”
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They will hit the road in November 2020 for a run of UK arena shows, with tickets going on sale here from 10am on Friday. Check out the dates in full below.
NOVEMBER 2020
16th – 3Arena, Dublin
19th – SSE Arena, Belfast
23 – M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool
26 – Utilita Arena, Newcastle
29 – The O2, London
30 – The O2, London
DECEMBER 2020
2 – First Direct Arena, Leeds
5 – Utilita Arena, Birmingham
8 – Manchester Arena, Manchester
11 – SSE Hydro, Glasgow
Genesis are delighted to announce that @tonybanksmusic, @PhilCollinsFeed and #MikeRutherford will be touring the UK in late 2020! Tickets go on sale on Friday at 10am.
More info here https://t.co/L0KvJuBNRw #lastdomino pic.twitter.com/9B6m4Z41gP— Genesis (@genesis_band) March 4, 2020
Our lips are SEALED until tomorrow morning. 🤫
(you're going to love this one!) pic.twitter.com/TrZ2oJZ0NA
— BBC Radio 2 (@BBCRadio2) March 3, 2020
The reunion comes after Radio 2 teased the return of a “massive band”, prompting rumours across social media to suggest that Genesis were the band in question.
Genesis, meanwhile, shared an old black and white photo of Collins, Rutherford and Banks. “And then there were three…”, they captioned the post – check it out below.
A text message from o2 regarding priority tickets to upcoming shows also listed Genesis among a number of other acts set to tour. A screenshot of the text, which was subsequently shared on Twitter, can be seen below.
. @genesis_band Nice to see @O2 announcing a Genesis tour early? pic.twitter.com/tmOuy1qNNV
— Chris Lauder (@ChrLauder) March 3, 2020
In 2017, guitarist Mike Rutherford hinted that Genesis could return once again in celebration of their 50th year, though no plans materialised.
Collins and Rutherford, however, did reunite onstage last summer during the former’s solo show in Berlin. The pair played Genesis’ hit ‘Follow You Follow Me’, lifted from their 1978 album ‘…And Then There Were Three…’.
Back in 2018, Phil Collins explained that he would be open to a Genesis live comeback if his son took on drum duties.