Rock Legends Marillion are this weekend (4/5/6 September) hosting their first “and hopefully only” Marillion Couch Convention. The weekend will be free for all, but there will be a tip jar for the bands crew, who have been hit hardest by the current crisis.
Steve Hogarth told us: “We have a rare and beautiful relationship with our fans. We wanted to do something to let them know that we are with them. To find a way to show our appreciation for the support they give to us and more importantly in strange times like these, each other.”
Lucy Jordache the bands manager for the last 20 years, told us: “When I realised that our 2021 conventions would not be going ahead, I wanted to give our fans something that might help them experience the amazing feeling our conventions famously have.
“As the COVID-19 crisis deepened, it became more and more important to bring our fans together in a virtual space, where they can feel the love and support from one another and the band.”
The band will broadcast their three most popular gig films on YouTube across the three nights, with support acts, introductions from the band and even a live Q&A hosted by Prog Magazine editor Jerry Ewing.
The band will also be hosting virtual Q&A’s with fans, music masterclasses, a quiz, fan club meetups with band members, and even a run-along with keyboard player Mark Kelly and a cocktail class with guitarist Steve Rothery.
There are opportunities to win a virtual photo with the band, virtual coffee with a band member and all sorts of other competitions, including an online dog show and prizes for the best photos from the weekend.
Hogarth concluded: “We’ve been completely amazed by the response of our fans to the idea of the Couch Convention and the merchandise we created for it.
“We sincerely thank them for their continuing love and support and hope to see them out on the road soon.”
