On May 14th last year, MV found itself just on the outskirts of Birmingham City Centre, in a part of town that’s been in the throes of regeneration for decades. That night, we watched Polish prog rockers Riverside—a band treating their latest album, ID, as something of a rebirth.
Not long after, Riverside took the same set to the Polish capital, where it was captured live for posterity in Live ID. The result is a stunning showcase of a band at the height of their powers, blending intricate musicianship with raw emotion and a knack for accessibility that many prog outfits envy.
The performance opens with “#Addicted,” which is both epic and ethereal, a quintessential Riverside track—expertly played and instantly captivating. On Live ID, their knack for marrying technical brilliance with emotional resonance shines through.
“Panic Room” takes a darker, more hypnotic turn, drawing the listener into its shadowy tones. “Landmine Blast” continues the mesmerizing journey, underscoring just how strong the ID record truly is. Then there’s “Big Tech Brother,” a track whose weighty themes are matched by grandiose keyboard work.
In contrast, “Lost” begins with a sparse, stripped-down feel before the guitar explodes in, transforming it into something far more dynamic. Yet, as always with Riverside, it’s the longer, sprawling tracks where they truly excel. The standout “Left Out”—all 13 glorious minutes of it—proves to be a centerpiece, with its soaring Jon Lord-esque organ and heavy, powerful guitar. It builds masterfully, capturing the band’s ability to create intricate, layered journeys.
Riverside also has a way of making the dystopian feel strangely inviting. This is clear on “Post-Truth,” where the band’s darker themes meet a welcoming sonic warmth. However, the real emotional crescendo arrives with “The Place Where I Belong.” Anger and confusion bubble to the surface in this stunning track, the emotional core of the show.
Among the older material on Live ID, “Egoist Hedonist” is a highlight, greeted with enthusiasm by the crowd, who join in with gusto. It’s a moment of fun and familiarity amidst the more serious tones of the night. “Friend or Foe” echoes Marillion’s influence, while Michał Łapaj’s futuristic keys make it a brilliant close to the main set.
The encore begins with another new track, “Self Aware,” a testament to the strength of ID as a record. And then, fittingly, the band closes with “Conceiving You” from their second album, the record that first catapulted them into wider acclaim.
The night—and the album—captures a band that’s as compelling live as they are in the studio. On stage, Riverside takes on a different life, with their music gaining an extra dimension of intensity and connection.
In my review of their gig last May, I wrote: “They’re too modest for the rest and it’s this: over the course of those two decades, they have become one of the most accomplished and captivating prog bands around.” After listening to Live ID, there’s no reason to change that sentiment.
