There were eleven Marillion concerts in Portugal, up to today, from the distant 1985 until 2008.

Marillion's first presence in Portuguese stages happened days before the release of "Misplaced Childhood". Kayleigh was still not in the radio, so the concerts couldn't be as big as if they had happened some weeks later. Both concerts(Pavilhão dos Belenenses in Lisbon, and Pavilhão Infante de Sagres in Oporto), were unanimously cisidered excellent by the press, who called Marillion one of the most interesting nw bands in the moment.

Unfortunately the long tours of 1986, 1987 and 1988 didn't bring Marillion to Portugal, and when they returned there was a new frontman, Steve Hogarth. It was during the touring of "Holidays In Eden". Once more there wee two shows (Pavilhão Carlos Lopes in Lisbon, and Coliseu do Porto). This time the press welcomed Marillion suspiciously, which granted them mixed revews, about the change in music style towards a more straightforward and commercial rock sound.

One year later Marillion returned to Portugal for a special concert. It was the 10th anniversary of their career in EMI. They accepted the invitation of EMI-Valentim de Carvalho, and Rádio Cidade (who broadcasted the show live) to play in Aqualua (Aquaparque do Restelo) to around 4000 people, who had been invited for the event. It was an acoustic concert, without Ian Mosley, where Marillion performed only a short 10-songs set. Reviews were mixed between the good and bad.

Portugal would have to wait 10 more years until the Anoraknophobia tour, to see Marillion live. Before that there was a promotional visit, in 1998, with a TV participation in the show "Roda dos Milhões", presented by Jorge Gabriel, followed by an autographs session in FNAC in Chiado.

The return was in September 2001 for the second leg of the Anoraknophobia Tour, when Marillion were playing a setlist voted by the fans in the internet. Portugal had three concerts that (for the first time without a major label) were badly promoted. The concerts were in Paradise Garage, Lisbon; Estado Novo, Matosinhos, to which it was added a special concert in Praia das Milícias, Ponta Delgada, Azores. Reviews, though only a few, were again strongly positive, and the audience participation was amazing.

In 2007, with a new album to promote, Marillion came back to Portugal. First, in March, Steve Hogarth and Steve Rothery were in Lisbon for a "Listening Party" organized by The Web Portugal, where the album was debuted before 100 guests. Later, in April, the full band returned to Portugal for two concerts: Europarque, in Santa Maria da Feira, and Aula Magna in Lisbon. They were the shows with the largest audience since the ones from 1985.

The latest presence of Marillion in Portugal occurred in 2008, in the line up of the Lisbon Calling Festival, in Pavilhão Atlântico, on July 26. Marillion played a short set to an audience who was celebrating the 80's, present to see also The Stranglers, B52's and Meat Loaf.

José Carlos Maltez