Few bands inspire the level of devotion, detail and theatrical ambition that Genesis still command. For over 30 years, The Musical Box have built a remarkable reputation for recreating the band’s classic live shows with near-forensic precision, from the instruments and arrangements to the staging, costumes, projections and atmosphere.
Now, with And Then There Was… Phil, the group turns its attention to the early Phil Collins-fronted era of Genesis, celebrating the years after Peter Gabriel’s departure when the band proved they could not only survive, but create some of their most powerful and enduring music.
Ahead of their UK tour, including dates in London and Brighton, we spoke to the band about the obsessive research behind their productions, the thrill of performing with original Genesis members, and why the music of Genesis continues to resonate half a century on.
Having performed the works of Genesis for so long, what is it about the band that inspired you to recreate their music and shows?
Personally, Genesis has been my favourite band since I was 10 years old, after hearing Supper’s Ready. It was instantaneous. I fell in love with the music and, as a child, I had been exposed to classical music. Their use of the Mellotron, which is basically a classical music instrument, might have struck a chord.
The sound of those three 12-string acoustic guitars has always sounded wonderful to me. Of course, later on, when I saw the cover of the Genesis Live album, with the black silhouette of Peter Gabriel wearing this strange red box on his head and bat wings with fluorescent eyes, that was just too much.
For Sebastien Lamothe, our guitarist, it was the same thing. The idea for recreating their shows came from a “frustration” of being too young to attend the original shows and wishing we could have seen them, so Sebastien decided to recreate it. Ironically enough, we still don’t get to see it, since we’re part of it.
How much research and work goes into ensuring you get the right staging, props and looks for the various eras you cover – have you reached out to the original design teams?
We have. And some of them have a pretty good memory. We also succeeded in tracing footage of the original shows. We talked to as many people who saw the shows as possible.
When it comes to the music, considering you are going back in time 50 years, how easy is it to recreate the sounds and songs authentically?
This is archaeology work. The only way to sound exactly like them is by acquiring the same instruments they used. Sometimes, some are not easy to track down, but we manage. Of course, in the past few years, prices for a lot of vintage gear have exploded because they are so rare.
Why look at doing the Phil Collins era now?
We have been performing the Peter Gabriel era a lot, so we felt like doing something different for us and for the fans. When we did our Extravaganza tours a few years ago, part of the show was dedicated to the early Phil Collins era.
I guess we wanted to do a show that would show Genesis were still a very strong band after they lost their frontman in 1975. Some of the material on A Trick of the Tail is simply amazing, and I always said it was a true Genesis album. It is clear they wanted to show the world they were still strong. After all, the two main guys who wrote the music were still in the band.
Why does the music of Phil Collins remain so enduringly popular?
Great melodies, I would say.
What do you think is the most underrated album of Phil Collins / Genesis?
The most underrated Genesis album from the Phil Collins era is probably Duke. Some of the material is very strong. I never get tired of listening to Behind the Lines. It’s a great song.
Actually, when we started talking about the show, the plan was to perform songs from A Trick of the Tail up to …And Then There Were Three… I suggested that, maybe, we should play some tracks from Duke, and I played Behind the Lines to Sebastien, who did not know the song. He was sold. But then again, I might be biased, because this is the song Genesis opened with the first time I saw them, so…
What song are you most looking forward to performing and why?
It is never easy to pick only one. Behind the Lines is probably one of them. There is another one I’d rather not name right now, as it is a surprise. I am really looking forward to seeing the reaction when we play that one. But it will have to remain a surprise until the first time we play it live, of course, because I imagine the setlist will end up on the web very quickly.
What can the audience expect from the show?
One of the craziest things they’ve ever seen, visually and musically. We picked all the big songs from 1976 to 1980. I doubt that the audience will leave thinking they didn’t hear everything they wanted to from that period. And it is the most audacious production we’ve ever put on, so…
You have performed with members of Genesis before. How did these come about and, when they happened, what did it feel like to be sharing the stage with them, playing their music?
It was amazing. I can still remember when Phil joined us in Geneva, about 20 years ago already. I usually don’t have the other singers in my monitors, but that night I took some of his vocal. I was on stage, looking to my left and thinking: “Damn, it’s Phil Collins on drums and singing backing vocals with us.”
How did the crowd react when you were joined onstage by an original member?
Of course, the reaction was very strong. People went wild.
Given the level of detail in your performances, have you taken the opportunity to quiz the original members about any elements of their shows and music that helped your productions?
We had help from the original members. Tony Banks gave us access to some material via their staff. We were lucky enough to visit The Farm, their recording studio, which they do not have anymore, and look at various things and listen to some material.
We found the slides used on The Lamb tour. It was Serge Morissette, our staging director, who put those slides back in order, and they made copies for us that we used on the tour. So we had the real slide show used by Genesis.
You have been coming to the UK for over 20 years. Which city are you most looking forward to visiting?
I wouldn’t want to make anyone jealous. But I’ll say this: it is always fantastic to visit the UK, where Genesis are from.
And Then There Was… Phil UK Tour 2026
10 June 2026 – Guildford, G Live
11 June 2026 – High Wycombe, Wycombe Swan
13 June 2026 – Leicester, De Montfort Hall
14 June 2026 – York Barbican
16 June 2026 – Glasgow, Pavilion Theatre
17 June 2026 – Edinburgh, Usher Hall
19 June 2026 – Manchester, The Bridgewater Hall
21 June 2026 – Birmingham, Alexandra Theatre
26 June 2026 – London, Cadogan Hall
27 June 2026 – London, Cadogan Hall
28 June 2026 – Brighton, Theatre Royal
30 June 2026 – Truro, Hall for Cornwall
1 July 2026 – Cambridge Corn Exchange
2 July 2026 – Bath, The Forum
Tickets are available from venue box offices, themusicalbox.net and rg.live.
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