IQ (GB)
From Southampton
Popularity
IQ has one upcoming show in the Netherlands: on September 26, 2026 at Poppodium De Bosuil, Weert.
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About
Also known as: I.Q.
Out of Southampton, IQ have been quietly building one of the most devoted fanbases in progressive rock since the early 1980s, outlasting trends and lineup shuffles alike. Formed by Mike Holmes and Martin Orford after their previous band The Lens dissolved, they became part of the wave of British neo prog acts alongside Marillion and Pendragon, though the band have always pushed back against that label. Their sound draws comparisons to the Peter Gabriel era of Genesis, partly down to vocalist Peter Nicholls sharing that same theatrical presence, but guitarist Holmes gives them a harder edge that sets them apart. After a mid period dip into more commercial territory, the return of Nicholls in the early 1990s brought IQ back to sprawling, intricately arranged prog territory, and they have stayed there ever since. Their 2025 album Dominion shows the band are still very much at it, and Loudwire named them one of the eleven best UK prog rock groups of all time.
