Porcupine Tree are an English rock band formed by musician Steven Wilson in 1987. During an initial career spanning more than twenty years, they earned critical acclaim from critics and fellow musicians, developed a cult following, and became an influence for new artists. The group carved out a career at a certain distance away from mainstream music, being described by publications such as Classic Rock and PopMatters as "the most important band you'd never heard of".
Porcupine Tree in Madrid, 2008; Richard Barbieri (left), Steven Wilson, Gavin Harrison (on drums) and Colin Edwin.
Steven Wilson at the Strawberry Fair, Cambridge, 1997
Touring guitarist and backing vocalist John Wesley performing with the band in Poland, 2007
Richard Barbieri during a Porcupine Tree performance in Kraków, Poland, in 2007
Steven John Wilson is an English musician. He is the founder, guitarist, lead vocalist and songwriter of the rock band Porcupine Tree, as well as being a member of several other bands, including Blackfield, Storm Corrosion and No-Man. He is also a solo artist, having released seven solo albums since his solo debut Insurgentes in 2008. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Wilson has made music prolifically and earned critical acclaim. His honours include six nominations for Grammy Awards: twice with Porcupine Tree, once with his collaborative band Storm Corrosion and three times as a solo artist. In 2017, The Daily Telegraph described him as "a resolutely independent artist" and "probably the most successful British artist you've never heard of".
Wilson performing in 2018
Wilson in 1997
Wilson in 1999
Wilson performing in 2007