Peter Gabriel arrived in San Diego to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his commercial breakthrough album So.

Beginning with a short yet stunning acoustic set that featured such highlights as “Shock the Monkey” and “Come Talk to Me,” Gabriel & Co. set the tone for a rhythmically tight and visually engaging performance.

The second part of the show consisted of some of the most challenging and popular music of Gabriel’s career. Songs such as “Digging in the Dirt,” “Solsbury Hill,” and “The Family and the Fishing Net” captured the essence of the outcast in which Gabriel resides, while bringing the listener closer to the heart of his pain and hope. The stark profile images projected on the three screens enhanced the otherworldliness of the aural atmosphere.

The third part of the show included the performance of So. Accompanying the Gabriel were several musicians from the original So tour, including Tony Levin on bass and the David Rhodes on guitar. Highlights included “Red Rain,” a very funky “Sledgehammer,” and the rarely performed “Excellent Birds.” Gabriel dedicated the night’s finale, “Biko,” to those around the world fighting injustice as the crowd cried out the last haunting refrain...

• Concert: Peter Gabriel
• Date: October 8
• Venue: Valley View Casino Center
• Seats: Section 20A, row 13, seat 1