INSIDE THE LEGENDARY NIGHT: How “Sledgehammer” Became a Live Rock & Bass Masterpiece in London

The moment the first notes of Sledgehammer rang out in London, it was clear this wasn’t just another performance. During Peter Gabriel’s Back to Front concert, the iconic hit exploded back to life — sharper, heavier, and more alive than anyone expected.
Filmed at The O2 Arena, the show was part of Gabriel’s Back to Front Tour, a celebration of the album that changed everything: So. With the original touring band reunited, the night felt less like a nostalgia trip and more like a statement — this music hadn’t aged, it had grown teeth.
But then came the groove.

When the bassline kicked in, the entire room shifted. This wasn’t background rhythm. This was propulsion. Tony Levin didn’t just hold the song together — he owned it. Each note landed with authority, every pulse tightening the tension and pushing the song forward like a living, breathing engine.
Levin’s playing was pure presence. His bassline didn’t simply sit beneath Gabriel’s vocals — it danced around them, challenged them, answered them. At moments it was subtle and sly; at others, bold and thunderous. The crowd felt it instantly. You could see heads nodding, bodies locking into the rhythm, the entire arena moving as one.

That’s what made this version unforgettable. Not flash. Not volume. Control. Confidence. The kind of mastery that comes from decades of trust between musicians who know exactly when to lean back — and when to strike hard.
Yes, watching this clip reminds you why Peter Gabriel remains one of the most compelling performers of his generation. But listen closely, and you’ll realize something else: the soul of this live “Sledgehammer” lives in that bassline — relentless, fearless, and impossible to ignore.
This wasn’t just a performance.
It was a reminder of how great songs become immortal on stage.