A Tribute to Marillion, Marquee Square Heroes and
Reflections on a Generation’s Musical Journey and the Enduring Power of Nostalgia
It feels like a lifetime ago now, and perhaps that’s because it truly was. Our generation had missed the chance to leap onto the Punk bandwagon, instead coming of age amidst the rise of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM). We found ourselves caught in the crosswinds — drawn to the raw energy of the angry young punks, yet equally captivated by the more melodic outliers of Heavy Metal. In our search for (Market Square) heroes we found ourselves gathering at legendary venues like The Marquee on Wardour Street where, almost nightly, the very best of British and international talent took to the stage on their way up the ladder.
Those who witnessed Marillion in those formative days carry with them stories of unforgettable nights — nights that came to define not just an era, but something deeply personal for each of us. Their music — emotional, powerful, and unflinchingly honest — seemed to speak directly of our own lives. Marillion’s songs told tales of heartbreak and lost love, of the intricate ‘web’ we all weave, of the ongoing ‘troubles’ in Northern Ireland in ways we could understand. There were songs about aspiring actors and actresses hiding their art out of fear, drunken promises on windswept beaches, and the ever-present class divide experienced by so many of Thatcher’s children while the wealthy waltzed towards another ‘Garden Party’.
For six glorious years, Marillion’s flame burned brilliantly. Their debut album soared into the Top 10, leaving critics scrambling for lazy headlines about “loon pants,” “kaftans,” and accusations of Genesis mimicry. But we didn’t care. We recognised authenticity when we saw it, and we knew our band was the real deal. The second album cemented their success, taking them — and us — on tours through the iconic venues of our youth, many of which have sadly disappeared or been renamed.
In 1985, everything changed. Suddenly, Marillion were everywhere — even on Wogan, of all places. A single flirted with the number one spot, never quite toppling over the finish line, but it didn’t matter. The following number one album felt like vindication. Our band had arrived. We didn’t need to explain ourselves to anyone. The gigs, the albums, the non-album B-sides, the artwork, the T-shirts — it all worked. For a fleeting moment, Marillion were arguably the biggest band in the country, perhaps even in Europe. The success of ‘Misplaced Childhood’ in 1985, and its singles “Kayleigh,” “Lavender,” and “Heart of Lothian,” saw the band’s popularity soar, packing out Wembley and the NEC for the follow-up tour.
By June 1987, in the space of six short years, our worlds had shifted. Many of us were moving on, building careers, learning life’s lessons — but we still had Marillion. Clutching at Straws gave us what we needed; perhaps not as commercially accessible, certainly darker and more complex than what had come before. It was the antithesis of Script for a Jester’s Tear, yet it felt perfect.
And then, almost without warning, it was over. The split left both factions producing excellent music and staging phenomenal shows, but for so many of us, something intangible had been lost. The strength of nostalgia is undeniable; even now, forty years later, we remember those days, those songs, those electric live shows with deep fondness. While we know those days can never be recaptured, we cling tightly to the wealth of memories and the enduring catalogue of songs.
Some disdain tribute bands, seeing them as pale imitations, but for others — especially with certain bands — the experience can be transcendent. MARQUEE SQUARE HEROES are, without doubt, one such group. Featuring a lineup of established musicians from the prog rock scene, including one of Marillion’s contemporaries from the Marquee days who has supported both Marillion and Fish, and who themselves have produced acclaimed albums, toured Europe, and even played in America.
Their two-and-a-half-hour show is a masterclass, spanning the entirety of Fish’s tenure with Marillion and played with genuine emotion and authenticity. Every effort is made to recreate the sounds and effects that defined the era, transporting audiences straight back to those halcyon days.
And what do those who attend these shows say? When legends like Bush Telfer — the booking manager from the original Marquee — and Stef Jeffery, who ran the original Web fan club, count themselves among the audience, and when PROG Magazine highlights the band, you can be confident that this is more than mere nostalgia. It’s a celebration — a chance to relive those glory days, time and again.
All that remains to say is — welcome back to the circus. For all of us who found our own “Market Square Heroes” in the music, the memories, and in one another, the journey is never truly over. The songs, the shows, the friendships—they live on, echoing through the years, stronger than ever.
