Weather Systems @ Midsummer Prog Festival 2025 – day 2 (May 24)

Weather Systems Between Past and Future at Midsummer Prog

On the second day of the Midsummer Prog Festival, Weather Systems, the new band led by Anathema founder Daniel Cavanagh, delivered a performance steeped in melancholy, memory and new beginnings. Though officially a new project, everything about the show breathed the spirit of Anathema—musically as well as visually. For those hoping for a clean slate in Cavanagh’s career, it felt more like an echo of the past.

The band, which includes former Anathema drummer Daniel Cardoso, relied heavily on samples and backing tracks during the live performance. A fully equipped live band was not present on stage, which at times diminished the immersive experience. Still, the arrangements were delivered with care with a focus on atmosphere and layering. Vocalist Soraia Silva stood out with a charming stage presence and solid vocal contributions, though her voice occasionally lacked the emotional depth of her predecessor Lee Douglas.

Yet, there were strong moments. “Synaesthesia,” from the new album Ocean Without a Shore, built up to a powerful climax and proved that Weather Systems does have a reason to exist outside Anathema’s shadow. “Do Angels Sing Like Rain?” and the title track were also well received, although the new material still fell short in emotional impact compared to classics like “Fragile Dreams”, “Closer” and “A Simple Mistake.”

The highlight of the evening was the three-part suite “Untouchable, Parts 1, 2 and 3.” Part 1, in particular, led to a rare moment of collective catharsis. The front rows sang along word for word and for a brief moment, it felt as though Anathema had never gone away.

Still, Weather Systems continues to wrestle with its own identity. The band is musically strong, the emotion is present, but it walks a fine line between tribute and fresh start. The new songs resonate, but have yet to truly break free from the past. The audience remains loyal and nostalgia is a powerful force—but whether that alone is enough for a lasting future remains to be seen.