TANGERINE DREAM
FROM VIRGIN TO QUANTUM YEARS: COVENTRY CATHEDRAL 22 (2CD)

“the best synth band in the world” – THE NEW YORK TIMES

In 1974, Tangerine Dream – then composed of Edgar Froese, Peter Baumann and Christopher Franke – performed a now legendary concert set against the awe-inspiring backdrop of Coventry Cathedral. Nearly fifty years later, the current incarnation of the band – Thorsten Quaeschning, Hoshiko Yamane & Paul Frick – returned to that same sacred space in 2022 to perform a monumental ‘From Virgin To Quantum Years’ set, bridging eras in a performance that reflects the band’s extraordinary and ceaseless evolution. 

Reflecting on that experience, Thorsten Quaeschning shared: “After 2022, following the intense COVID years during which we wrote the album ‘Raum’, the Coventry Cathedral concert became a key moment in reconnecting different parts of Tangerine Dream’s story with the present. Playing in that same cathedral created an atmosphere that was simply unique.” 

This 2CD set presents the full concert – a sweeping setlist that reaches back to Virgin Years classics like ‘Stratosfear’, ‘Cloudburst Flight’ and ‘Love On A Real Train’, while also drawing from more recent Quantum material such as ‘Raum’ and ‘Continuum’. Several pieces are performed with special guest Steve Rothery (Marillion), whose guitar work threads itself into the band’s electronic textures to create a fascinating new dimension. 

Coventry Cathedral stands as a symbol of transformation and resilience, with its towering spire representing both a rich history and a modern rebirth – qualities that parallel the evolution of Tangerine Dream. With a legacy that includes multiple Grammy nominations, a vast catalogue of groundbreaking albums and an iconic body of film scores, they continue to stand as pioneers in their field, with the torch passed from founder Edgar Froese to his protégé and current bandleader, Thorsten Quaeschning, after Froese's passing in 2015. 

Reflecting on the band's return to the cathedral nearly five decades after the original performance, Quaeschning noted: “The 2022 tour also marked the beginning of a new chapter – more concerts, more people discovering the band live and an incredibly rewarding experience with a fantastic crew. This project means so much to me that I never even consider having a Plan B. I’m just looking forward to more releases, more concerts and new studio albums to come.” 

This 2CD, 6-panel digipak edition includes an 8-page printed booklet with stunning photos from the performance & reflective liner notes written by music journalist Chris Wheatley.