Peter Gabriel Debuts Neil Young, Radiohead Covers Live

Peter Gabriel debuted his recently released 'Scratch My Back' album live in the UK -- with two shows at London's O2 Arena on Saturday, March 27 and Sunday, March 28.

The album of 'reinterpreted' covers which includes songs by the likes of Radiohead, Neil Young and Arcade Fire -- with compostion help from Durutti Column's John Metcalfe -- is his first studio album in eight years.

Performing the new album live, in order, tracks like Lou Reed's 'The Power of the Heart', Magnetic Fields' 'The Book of Love' and 'Mirrorball' by Elbow were brought to life by the New Blood Orchestra, with Gabriel's vocals commanding and arresting.

This was the first time the former Genesis frontman has performed live in the UK without a "normal" band of guitar, bass and drums. Grumbles from diehard Gabriel fans on their way into the concert venue were soon put to rest by the sheer scale of the show, with large backdrops of visuals consistent with any huge rock band's arena gig.

His second set ploughed through his back catalogue and included ramped up orchestral versions of 'Digging the Dirt,' 'Downside Up,' 'Solsbury Hill' with a finale of 'Don't Give Up' -- with Kate Bush's part being sung by one of his backing singers.

The setlist for Saturday March 27 was:

Set 1:

'Heroes' (David Bowie)
'The Boy in the Bubble' (Paul Simon)
'Mirrorball' (Elbow)
'Flume' (Bon Iver)
'Listening Wind' (Talking Heads)
'The Power of the Heart' (Lou Reed)
'My Body is a Cage' (Arcade Fire)
'The Book of Love' (Magnetic Fields)
'I Think it's Going to Rain Today' (Randy Newman)
'Apres Moi' (Regina Spektor)
'Philadelphia' (Neil Young)
'Street Spirit' (Radiohead)

Set 2:

'San Jacinto'
'Digging the Dirt'
'Downside Up'
'Signal to Noise'
'Mercy Street'
'The Rhythm of the Heat'
'The Drop'
'Darkness'
'Solsbury Hill'

Encore:
'In Your Eyes'
'Don't Give Up'