Peter Gabriel Debuts New Song ‘What Lies Ahead’ in Concert
It has been a dozen years since Peter Gabriel released Up, his last collection of original music. While the former Genesis frontman did record his covers album Scratch My Back in 2010, new music from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame artist has been scarce the past decade. However, at a November 20th gig in Turin, Italy, Gabriel opened the concert with a reflective new piano ballad titled “What Lies Ahead,” Stereogum reports.
Gabriel’s Back to Front Tour set lists have wavered little since the singer launched the long trek back in September 2012, but as the jaunt finally begins to wind down, Gabriel decided to replace “O But,” another original he debuted this trek, with “What Lies Ahead.” It wasn’t a one-time performance either as the new song again opened Gabriel’s next concert the following night in Bologna, Italy.
Gabriel hasn’t released an original studio song since he penned and performed “Down to Earth” for the film WALL-E in 2008. That track was nominated for an Academy Award. Rolling Stone recently spoke to Gabriel about the 25th anniversary of his Real World record label, and the singer discussed his long-gestating I/O album and the type of music he’s been working on in recent years.
“I’m trying to do some happy stuff. Even now. ‘Cause it’s very easy for me to fall into some moody stuff. I wanna do something that’s more dance-y, and more like an organic dance record,” Gabriel told Rolling Stone. “I’ve got a couple of songs I’ve been working on the last two weeks that I think are beginning to go in that direction.” Gabriel also revealed that his next album, if and when it arrives, likely wouldn’t bear the I/O title.