Editing Porcupine Tree (section)

==History==
===Origins (1987–1990)===
Porcupine Tree originated in 1987 as a collaborative hoax project by Steven Wilson and Malcolm Stocks. Partially inspired by the [[psychedelic music|psychedelic]]/[[Progressive rock|progressive]] bands of the 1970s, such as Pink Floyd, that had dominated the music scene during their youth, the two decided to form a fictional legendary rock band named The Porcupine Tree. The two fabricated a detailed back-story including information on alleged band members and album titles, as well as a "colourful"{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}} history which purportedly included events such as a meeting at a 1970s rock festival and several trips in and out of prison. As soon as he had put aside enough money to buy his own studio equipment, Wilson obliged this creation with several hours of music to provide "evidence"{{Citation needed|date=July 2024}} of its existence. Although Stocks provided a few passages of treated vocals and experimental guitar playing, his role in the project was mostly offering occasional ideas, with the bulk of the material being written, recorded, played, and sung by Wilson.

At this point, Porcupine Tree was little more than a joke and a private amusement, as Wilson was concentrating on his other project, [[No-Man]], an endeavour with UK based singer and songwriter [[Tim Bowness]]. However, by 1989, he began to consider some of the Porcupine Tree music as potentially marketable. Wilson created an 80-minute-long [[audio cassette|cassette]] titled ''[[Tarquin's Seaweed Farm]]'' under the name of Porcupine Tree.<ref name="Porcupine Tree Biography"/> Still showing the spirit of his joke, Wilson included an eight-page inlay which further revealed the hoaxed Porcupine Tree backstory, including references to fictitious band members such as Sir Tarquin Underspoon and Timothy Tadpole-Jones.<ref name="Steven Wilson -The Complete Discography (6th Edition)">{{cite web|url=http://www.voyage-pt.de/swdisco.pdf|title=Steven Wilson -The Complete Discography (6th Edition), p. 20|access-date=15 May 2007|first=Uwe|last=Häberle|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070621210549/http://www.voyage-pt.de/swdisco.pdf|archive-date=21 June 2007}}</ref>

Wilson sent out copies of ''Tarquin's Seaweed Farm'' to several people he felt would be interested in the recordings. Nick Saloman, the cult UK guitarist better known as [[The Bevis Frond]], had suggested that he send one to Richard Allen, a writer for the UK counter-cultural magazine ''[[Encyclopaedia Psychedelica]]'' and co-editor of the UK psychedelic [[garage rock]] magazine ''[[Freakbeat]]''. Allen reviewed the tape in both magazines. Whilst he disliked some of the material, he gave much of it a positive review. Several months later, Allen invited Wilson to contribute a track to the double LP ''A Psychedelic Psauna'' that was being put together to launch the new Delerium label. Allen would also become the band's manager, press agent, and promoter until 2004, his role in marketing the band's image decreasing after ''The Sky Moves Sideways'' album. In the meantime, Wilson had continued to work on new material. In 1990, he released the ''[[Love, Death & Mussolini]]'' EP, issued in a very limited run of 10 copies.  The EP remains an extremely rare, collectible piece. It was composed of nine at-the-time-unreleased tracks, as a preview for the upcoming second album. In 1991, Wilson released a second full-length Porcupine Tree cassette called ''[[The Nostalgia Factory]]'', which further expanded Porcupine Tree's underground fanbase, although at this point, the band was still carrying on the charade of being 1970s rock legends. By this point, Porcupine Tree was entirely a solo project, with Stocks having amicably moved on to other activities.

===The Delerium years (1991–1997)===

====''On the Sunday of Life...''====
Along with the ''A Psychedelic Psauna'' compilation, which featured the Porcupine Tree track "Linton Samuel Dawson", the newly formed [[Delerium Records|Delerium]] label, formed by ''Freakbeat'' editors Richard Allen and Ivor Trueman, offered to reissue the cassettes ''Tarquin's Seaweed Farm'' and ''The Nostalgia Factory''. Two hundred copies of each cassette were sold through ''Freakbeat's'' mail order, The Freak Emporium, and soon Porcupine Tree became known as a mysterious new act amongst the then UK underground psychedelic music scene.

Shortly thereafter, Delerium invited Wilson to sign as one of the label's founder artists. The first release after this, a double vinyl album and single CD compiling the best material from his two cassettes, was released in mid-1992 as ''[[On the Sunday of Life]]'', a title chosen from a long list of possible nonsense titles compiled by Richard Allen. The rest of the music from the initial tapes was released on the limited edition [[compilation album]] ''[[Yellow Hedgerow Dreamscape]]''.

In 1992, Delerium released ''On the Sunday of Life'' as an edition of 1,000 copies, complete with a deluxe gatefold sleeve. The album sold very well, particularly in Italy, and it was briefly repressed on vinyl and has remained in print on CD ever since its release. The album featured future concert favourite and frequent [[encore (concert)|encore]] song "Radioactive Toy". By 2000, ''On the Sunday of Life...'' had accumulated sales of more than 20,000 copies.<ref name="Porcupine Tree Biography">{{cite web|url= http://www.porcupinetree.com/background.cfm|title= Porcupine Tree Biography|website= PorcupineTree.com|access-date= 15 May 2007|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080410092648/http://www.porcupinetree.com/background.cfm|archive-date= 10 April 2008|df= dmy-all}}</ref> ''On the Sunday of Life'' was originally meant to be a quadruple (LP)/double (CD) album compiling both cassettes in full, but changed to the best (according to Wilson) songs from the tapes. In 2004, Wilson remixed and remastered all three tapes, releasing them as a three-CD box set called ''Footprints: Cassette Music 1988-1992''. This box was only distributed to family and friends.

====''Up the Downstair''====
In the midst of Porcupine Tree's rising success, Wilson's other band, No-Man, had been getting excellent UK press, which led to the band being signed to leading UK independent music publisher, Hit & Run Music Publishing, in 1991, which resulted in recording agreements with [[One Little Indian Records]], and Epic 440/Sony in the US. No-Man's success gave Wilson the opportunity to leave his regular job and devote his time solely to music. All of the Delirium releases were published by Hit & Run, whose executive Dave Massey had signed No-Man and continued to be closely involved in the Porcupine Tree project.

In May 1993, the second Porcupine Tree album, ''[[Up the Downstair]]'', was released, another prospective double album that was finally slimmed down to a single record. "Voyage 34" was actually going to take up the second disc, but it was last decided to be released alone as a single. The album was highly praised, ''[[Melody Maker]]'' describing it as "a psychedelic masterpiece... one of the albums of the year."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.delerium.co.uk/delerium/releases/delec020.html|title=Delerium Records: Porcupine Tree – Up The Downstair|date=2000|access-date=18 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070826202210/http://www.delerium.co.uk/delerium/releases/delec020.html |archive-date=26 August 2007}}</ref> The album continued the [[fusion (music)|fusion]] of [[electronic music]] and rock and also featured guest appearances from two future Porcupine Tree members, [[Richard Barbieri]], of 1970s-80s art rock band [[Japan (band)|Japan]], and [[Colin Edwin]].

In November 1993, ''[[Voyage 34]]'' was reissued alongside an additional [[12-inch single|12-inch]] remix by Astralasia. The album managed to enter the ''[[NME]]'' indie chart for six weeks and became an underground chill-out classic, even without radio play.<ref name="Porcupine Tree Biography" />

====''The Sky Moves Sideways''====
The profile of Porcupine Tree had now grown to the extent that Wilson wanted to expand into live performances. Thus, in December 1993, Porcupine Tree became a live unit featuring Wilson on lead vocals/guitar, Colin Edwin on bass, Chris Maitland on drums, and Richard Barbieri on keyboards.<ref name="MusicPlayers">{{cite web |url=http://www.musicplayers.com/features/guitars/2007/0707_Steven_Wilson.php |title=Steven Wilson: Fear of a Blank Interview |website=MusicPlayers.com |first=Scott |last=Kahn |access-date=8 April 2008}}</ref>

{{listen
 | filename     = Porcupine Tree - The Sky Moves Sideways (European Edition) - 01 - The Sky Moves Sideways (Phase One).ogg
 | title        = "The Sky Moves Sideways Phase 1"
 | description  = from ''The Sky Moves Sideways'', which contains some of Steven Wilson's longest compositions. The band evolved into a more electronic, ambient, and trance sound, and included more jam-like parts. The song is mostly instrumental and consists of four movements; the US release has an individual track for each section.
 | format       = ogg
}}

All three new members of the group had worked with Wilson on various projects over the preceding years, especially Barbieri and Maitland, who had been part of No-Man's touring band. The new line-up's first live album, ''[[Spiral Circus]]'', contained recordings from their first three performances, including a [[BBC Radio 1|BBC Radio One]] session for [[Mark Radcliffe (radio broadcaster)|Mark Radcliffe]], an early champion of the group.

Porcupine Tree's next album did not emerge until early 1995, but was preceded by the ''[[Moonloop]]'' EP, the last two tracks of which were recorded during the album sessions and were the first to feature the new band. Released in 1995, the band's third studio album, ''[[The Sky Moves Sideways]]'' became a success among [[progressive rock]] fans and Porcupine Tree were hailed as the Pink Floyd of the 1990s. Wilson later lamented this, stating, "I can't help that. It's true that during the period of ''The Sky Moves Sideways'', I had done a little too much of it in the sense of satisfying, in a way, the fans of Pink Floyd who were listening to us because that group doesn't make albums any more. Moreover, I regret it".

''The Sky Moves Sideways'' was an "expansive soundscape of melody and ambient rock experimentation", but proved to be a transitional work, with half recorded before the formation of the band and half recorded after. Most of the album was taken up with the 35-minute title track, which at one point Wilson had intended to be long enough to occupy the whole album. An alternate version of the track, containing some of the excised music, was included on the 2004 remastered version of the album. It also entered the ''NME'', ''Melody Maker'', and ''[[Music Week]]'' charts.<ref name="Porcupine Tree Biography" /> Together with the ''Moonloop'' EP, this album was the first Porcupine Tree music issued in America in the autumn of 1995, and attracted favourable press on both sides of the Atlantic. The band supported the album with numerous concerts throughout the year at major music venues in the UK, the Netherlands, Italy, and Greece.

====''Signify''====
Partly unsatisfied with the half band/half solo nature of ''The Sky Moves Sideways'', Porcupine Tree promptly got down to the task of recording the first proper band record. Wilson admitted he was always "in love with the idea of the rock band" because "bands have a kind of glamour, and appeal, and a romance about them the solo projects just don't have."<ref name="Aural Innovations Issue No.7">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.aural-innovations.com/issues/issue7/ptree03.html|title=Porcupine Tree (Review/Interview)|magazine=Aural Innovations|first1=Jerry|last1=Kranitz|first2=Keith|last2=Henderson|date=July 1999|issue=7|access-date=7 January 2007|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312134918/http://www.aural-innovations.com/issues/issue7/ptree03.html |archive-date=2007-03-12}}</ref> The band worked sporadically over the next year on developing a tighter and more ambitious rock sound.

{{listen
 | filename    = Porcupine Tree - Every Home Is Wired.ogg
 | title       = "Every Home Is Wired"
 | description = from ''Signify''. This album contains shorter pieces than its predecessor, and featured the first collaborative compositions between Wilson and the other band members.
 | format      = ogg
}}

[[File:Steven Wilson Strawberry Fayre Cambridge 1997.jpg|thumb|left|145px|Steven Wilson at the Strawberry Fair, Cambridge, 1997]]

After the release of the first real Porcupine Tree single, "[[Waiting (Porcupine Tree song)|Waiting]]", which entered all UK indie charts and the UK National chart and attracting airplay all over Europe, ''[[Signify (album)|Signify]]'' was released in September 1996. The album was a mixture of instrumental tracks and more song-oriented tunes, blending numerous rock and ''[[avant-garde]]'' styles, such as [[krautrock]].<ref name="even less">{{cite web |last=Ezell |first=Brice |url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/post/156385-progs-only-stupid-dream-porcupine-tree-even-less |title=Prog's Only Stupid Dream: Porcupine Tree - "Even Less" |website=[[PopMatters]] |date= 2 April 2012|access-date=29 June 2014}}</ref> Wilson expressed satisfaction in the direction of the album, stating "tracks like 'Every Home Is Wired' and 'Dark Matter' totally transcend both genre and comparison. Finally, I think we are making a completely original and 1990s form of music, but which still has its root in progressive music."<ref name="Record Collector November 1996, issue 207">{{cite web |url=http://www.porcupinetree.com/background.interviews.cfm?press=interview007 |title=Record Collector |date=November 1996 |issue=207 |access-date=7 January 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061114142444/http://www.porcupinetree.com/background.interviews.cfm?press=interview007|archive-date= 14 November 2006|df= dmy-all}}</ref> The musicians received writing credits for some tracks, most notably for "Intermediate Jesus", which evolved from a jam session later released as ''[[Metanoia (Porcupine Tree album)|Metanoia]]'' at the end of 1998.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.porcupinetree.com/discography.details.cfm?albumid=97|title=Porcupine Tree – Discography|publisher=porcupinetree.com|access-date=6 April 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080405052425/http://www.porcupinetree.com/discography.details.cfm?albumid=97|archive-date=5 April 2008}}</ref> A large amount of major European media interest accompanied the album's release.

In March 1997, they played three nights in Rome to an audience that surpassed 5,000 people. All three dates were recorded for use in the 1997 live album ''[[Coma Divine – Recorded Live in Rome]]'' that was released as a goodbye to Delerium Records, which felt it could no longer offer the kind of resources the band needed  to continue to build its profile worldwide. In late 1997 Porcupine Tree's first three albums were remastered and reissued. ''Signify'' also was released in the US on [[Miles Copeland III|Miles Copeland]]'s [[Ark 21 Records|Ark 21]] label.

===The Snapper years (1998–2001)===

====''Stupid Dream''====
Wilson, Barbieri, Edwin, and Maitland spent all of 1998 recording their fifth studio album, a release that reflected the band's move towards a more song-oriented writing. Wilson acknowledged this time he was "much more interested in songwriting as an art form, as opposed to soundscape development" and commented he took influence from [[The Beach Boys]]' ''[[Pet Sounds]]'', [[Todd Rundgren]], [[Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young]], and "anything with really good ensemble singing". He also indicated that he was "interested in the idea of the pop song as a kind of experimental symphony".

{{listen
|filename=Porcupine Tree - Pure Narcotic.ogg|title="Pure Narcotic"|description=is a single from ''Stupid Dream''. "Pure Narcotic" is an acoustic song without drums. [[Radiohead]]'s album ''[[The Bends (album)|The Bends]]'' is mentioned by name in the lyrics.  ''[[Stupid Dream]]'' evidenced a change of direction in the sound of the band, being a more song-oriented record.|format=ogg}}

The band recorded the album without a label, but signed with [[Snapper Music|Snapper]]/[[Kscope]] before releasing ''Stupid Dream'', in March 1999. The album was supported by a tour of the United Kingdom, Italy, Greece, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, France, Poland, and the United States. The three singles taken from the album: "[[Piano Lessons (single)|Piano Lessons]]", "[[Stranger by the Minute]]", and "[[Pure Narcotic]]", all achieved mainstream exposure in the US and in Europe, and placed well in the UK independent charts and on radio-station playlists. Although the album was a departure from their earlier sound, it brought the band new-found popularity and went on to become the band's best-selling and most acclaimed release up to that time.

====''Lightbulb Sun''====
Completed for February 2000, with string arrangements provided by [[Dave Gregory (musician)|Dave Gregory]] of [[XTC]], Porcupine Tree's sixth studio album, ''[[Lightbulb Sun]]'', built on the mix of songwriting, soundscaping, and rock dynamics of ''Stupid Dream''. The album was released in May 2000, preceded by the single "[[Four Chords That Made a Million]]". A sold-out show at the [[Scala (club)|Scala]] in London began a short run of UK shows, that were followed later in the year by European festival dates and a major tour supporting [[Dream Theater]]. The band continued touring through the end of 2000 and start of 2001, including their first major tour of Germany. A special double CD edition of the ''Lightbulb Sun'' album was issued in [[Israel]] and Germany.

In May, the band released a compilation [[B-side]] album called ''[[Recordings (album)|Recordings]]'', which featured nine tracks from the ''Stupid Dream'' and ''Lightbulb Sun'' sessions that had been left off both albums. In May 2001, Porcupine Tree did three consecutive dates as a support band to [[Marillion]], in France, Germany, and the Netherlands.<ref name="Porcupine Tree Gig">{{cite web|url= http://www.porcupinetree.com/tour.giglisting.cfm|title= Porcupine Tree – Complete Tour History|publisher= porcupinetree.com|access-date= 2 April 2008|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100726143357/http://www.porcupinetree.com/tour.giglisting.cfm|archive-date= 26 July 2010|df= dmy-all}}</ref> In June, the band played a short US tour, starting with an appearance in [[NEARfest]] of [[Pennsylvania]], and culminating in a sold-out show at [[The Bottom Line (venue)|The Bottom Line]] in New York City. Shortly afterwards, the band announced that they had signed a new international record deal with [[Lava Records|Lava]]/[[Atlantic Records]].

===The Lava years (2002–2005)===

====''In Absentia''====
In February 2002, Porcupine Tree's first line-up change occurred when drummer Chris Maitland was dismissed after eight years with the band. The band welcomed drummer and longtime acquaintance Gavin Harrison as his replacement. In March 2002, a [[box set]] of the band's early work was released, ''[[Stars Die: The Delerium Years 1991–1997]]'', and the band commenced recording their first major label album, drawing from a pool of thirty new songs written by Wilson in the previous two years. Recording sessions took place at [[Avatar Studios]] in New York<ref name="Free Williamsburg">{{cite web|url=http://www.freewilliamsburg.com/september_2002/porcupine.html|title=Porcupine Tree interview|date=September 2002|publisher=Free Williamsburg|first=Alexander|last=Laurence|access-date=13 April 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080504013339/http://www.freewilliamsburg.com/september_2002/porcupine.html|archive-date=4 May 2008}}</ref> and London, with veteran audio engineer [[Paul Northfield]] and string arranger Dave Gregory also playing major roles in the making of the record. The album was mixed in Los Angeles in May with [[Tim Palmer (record producer)|Tim Palmer]].

The resulting album, ''[[In Absentia]]'', was released by [[Lava Records]] in September 2002. The band also released a [[Surround sound|5.1 surround-sound]] version of the album, mixed by [[Grammy Award]]-winning producer [[Elliot Scheiner]]. The surround-sound version of the album won the award for best 5.1 mix at the 2004 Surround Sound Music awards in Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.highfidelityreview.com/news/news.asp?newsnumber=10783423 |title=2004 Surround Music Award Winners and Exclusive Report |access-date=5 September 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050315232926/http://www.highfidelityreview.com/news/news.asp?newsnumber=10783423 |archive-date=15 March 2005 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[File:Porcupine Tree @ Poznan, Poland 2007 10 - John Wesley.jpg|left|thumb|231x231px|Touring guitarist and backing vocalist John Wesley performing with the band in Poland, 2007]]
To promote the album, the band undertook four tours of Europe and North America, including one with acclaimed Swedish [[heavy metal music|metal]] band [[Opeth]]. On tour, the new line-up of the band was further augmented by additional touring vocalist/guitarist [[John Wesley (guitarist)|John Wesley]]. During these tours, the visual element of the band's performance was taken to new heights with the involvement of filmmaker and photographer [[Lasse Hoile]], who had created the cover art for ''In Absentia'' and now went on to create a dark and [[Surrealism|surreal]] visual to Porcupine Tree's music. The long promotional campaign for ''In Absentia'' ended on 30 November 2003, as the band played a homecoming show to a sold-out [[London Astoria]].<ref name="Porcupine Tree Gig"/>

{{listen
 | filename     = Porcupine Tree-Blackest Eyes.ogg
 | title        = "Blackest Eyes"
 | description  = from ''In Absentia''. Again, the style of the band changed notably, besides guitars were tuned down. The song features a heavy riff, acoustic passages, and a catchy, flown chorus.
 | format       = ogg
 | filename2    = Porcupine Tree-Lazarus.ogg
 | title2       = "Lazarus"
 | description2 = from ''Deadwing'', is a ballad that was chosen for the European single. It features some voice harmonies by [[Mikael Åkerfeldt]] from [[Opeth]]. The whole song develops over a minimalist piano melody.
 | format2      = ogg
}}

During 2003, Porcupine Tree set up their own label, Transmission, with an online store hosted by Burning Shed record label. The first release on the Transmission label was a studio session recorded for [[XM Satellite Radio|XM Radio]] in Washington, DC, followed in 2004 by a recording from Polish radio in 2001. The band used the label to issue supplemental content, such as EPs, demos, and live recordings. Additionally, a reissue/remaster campaign also began in 2003, with many of the early albums expanded to double CDs. These reissues included re-recorded/remixed double-CD versions of the ''Up the Downstair'', ''The Sky Moves Sideways'', and ''Signify'' albums, and the reissue of ''Stupid Dream'' and ''Lightbulb Sun'', both consisting of a CD with a new stereo mix of the album plus a [[DVD-Audio]] with a 5.1 surround mix.

====''Deadwing''====
In early 2004, the band embarked on the recording sessions for their next record, ''[[Deadwing]]'', their second for Lava/Atlantic. The album takes its inspiration from a film script written by Wilson with his filmmaker friend Mike Bennion. The album sessions completed in November 2004, and ''Deadwing'' was released in Europe and the US during the spring of 2005 as both a stereo and 5.1 surround-sound album, preceded by the release of two singles, "[[Shallow (Porcupine Tree song)|Shallow]]" in the US and "[[Lazarus (Porcupine Tree song)|Lazarus]]" in Europe. The album benefited from guest appearances by [[Adrian Belew]] from [[King Crimson]] and Opeth's [[Mikael Åkerfeldt]], and was a commercial success, due in part to "Shallow" receiving airplay, peaking at number 26 on ''[[Billboard Charts|Billboard]]'s'' [[Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks]].<ref name="Billboard Peak Position of 'Shallow'">{{cite magazine|url= http://billboard.com/bbcom/retrieve_chart_history.do?model.vnuArtistId=141384&model.vnuAlbumId=785460|title= Billboard Peak Position of 'Shallow'|magazine= [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]| access-date= 7 January 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411075011/http://billboard.com/bbcom/retrieve_chart_history.do?model.vnuArtistId=141384&model.vnuAlbumId=785460 |archive-date= 11 April 2008}}</ref> Additionally, "Lazarus" entered the German singles Top 100 at number 91.<ref name="Germany Singles Top 100">{{cite web|url= http://acharts.us/song/4541|title= Porcupine Tree – Lazarus – Music Charts|publisher= αCharts.us|access-date= 21 January 2007|url-status= live|archive-url= http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20110630004757/http://acharts.us/song/4541|archive-date= 30 June 2011|df= dmy-all}}</ref> The song "Shallow" was also featured in the soundtrack for the film ''[[Four Brothers (film)|Four Brothers]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0430105/soundtrack|title=Four Brothers (2005) – Soundtracks|website=[[The Internet Movie Database]]|access-date=2 April 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071026175441/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0430105/soundtrack|archive-date=26 October 2007}}</ref>

The album won the Surround Music Awards for "Best Made-For-Surround Title" the same year of its release<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.surroundexpo.com/awards.shtml |title=Surround Expo 2005 |date=15 December 2005 |access-date=15 December 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051214183245/http://www.surroundexpo.com/awards.shtml |archive-date=14 December 2005 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and was voted number-two album of 2005 in ''[[Sound and Vision (magazine)|Sound & Vision]]'', the most widely distributed US magazine in the field of home electronics and entertainment.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/article/sv-2005-entertainment-awards |title= S&V 2005 Entertainment Awards |date= 4 February 2006 |access-date= 3 September 2012 |archive-date= 5 March 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210305193439/https://www.soundandvision.com/content/sv-2005-entertainment-awards |url-status= dead }}</ref> Porcupine Tree released ''Deadwing'' in Japan on 22 March 2006, the first album by the band to be released in that country.

The tour to promote the album commenced in the UK at the end of March, and continued throughout the year. Mike Bennion created a [[Myspace]] page dedicated to the prospective ''Deadwing'' film, in which he posted the first 15 pages of the script and included a [[trailer (film)|trailer]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.myspace.com/deadwing|title= MySpace.com – deadwing – UK – www.myspace.com/deadwing|access-date= 15 July 2008|url-status= live|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080707014445/http://www.myspace.com/deadwing|archive-date= 7 July 2008|df= dmy-all}}</ref> However, whilst the scripts are finished, the project is still on hiatus due to lack of budget.

===The Roadrunner years (2006–2010)===

====''Fear of a Blank Planet''====
In August 2006, Porcupine Tree announced that the band had signed with [[Roadrunner Records|Roadrunner Records UK]].<ref name="Rockdetector">{{cite web |url=http://www.rockdetector.com/news/artist,33401.sm?id=3353 |title=PORCUPINE TREE SIGN DEAL WITH ROADRUNNER |publisher=Rockdetector |date=7 August 2006 |access-date=7 January 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061018090635/http://www.rockdetector.com/news/artist%2C33401.sm?id=3353 |archive-date=18 October 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Prior to their first release on Roadrunner, the band released their first live concert DVD, ''[[Arriving Somewhere...]]'', on 10 October 2006. It was accompanied by a brief tour in which the group performed 50 minutes of new material from the forthcoming studio album for the first half of the shows. Supporting acts included Swedish band [[Paatos]] in Europe and [[ProjeKct Six]] in the United States.<ref name="Porcupine Tree Gig"/>

{{listen
 | filename     = Porcupine Tree - Fear of a Blank Planet.ogg
 | title        = "Fear of a Blank Planet"
 | description  = is a single from ''Fear of a Blank Planet''. The song's lyrics deal with two common neurobehavioural developmental disorders for teenagers in the 21st Century: bipolar disorder and attention deficit disorder.
 | format       = ogg
 | filename2     = Porcupine Tree - Way Out of Here.ogg
 | title2        = "Way Out of Here"
 | description2  = from ''Fear of a Blank Planet''. The song contains soundscapes provided by [[King Crimson]]'s guitarist, [[Robert Fripp]], and is remarkable for being the only full-band composition of the record.
 | format2       = ogg
}}

The band announced the next album's title would be ''[[Fear of a Blank Planet]]'' in January 2007 and the album was released on 16 April 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.seaoftranquility.org/article.php?sid=773|title=News: Porcupine Tree Unveil Fear Of A Blank Planet in NYC!|publisher=Sea of Tranquility|access-date=26 January 2007|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110110053420/http://seaoftranquility.org/article.php?sid=773|archive-date=10 January 2011}}</ref> The album charted in almost all European countries,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://acharts.us/album/17345|title=Porcupine Tree – Fear of a Blank Planet – Music Charts|publisher=αCharts.us|access-date=6 April 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20110714120158/http://acharts.us/album/17345|archive-date=14 July 2011}}</ref> and peaked at number 59 on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]].{{cn|date=May 2025}} A 92-date tour for 2007 took the band to countries where they had never performed, such as Finland and Mexico. The tour included appearances in multiple music festivals such as the [[Voodoo Experience]] in New Orleans, the German twin-festivals, [[Hurricane Festival|Hurricane]]<ref name="Hurricane Festival 2007 Lineup">{{cite web|url= http://www.hurricane.de/bands/features.php|title= Hurricane Festival 2007 Lineup| access-date= 17 March 2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070629101010/http://hurricane.de/bands/features.php |archive-date=29 June 2007}}</ref> and [[Southside Festival|Southside]],<ref name="Southside Festival 2007 Lineup">{{cite web|url =http://www.lastfm.es/event/31658+Southside+Festival+2007|title = Southside Festival 2007 Lineup| publisher=[[Last.fm]] | access-date =17 March 2007}}</ref> and the [[Download Festival]] of [[Donington Park]].<ref name="Download Festival 2007 Lineup">{{cite web |url=http://2007.downloadfestival.co.uk/lineup/ |title=Download Festival 2007 Lineup |access-date=14 May 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071225153357/http://2007.downloadfestival.co.uk/lineup/ |archive-date=25 December 2007}}</ref> The band performed their first ever shows in Australia in 2008.

The lyrics of the album deal with some common behaviour tendencies concerning society, especially youth, in the beginning of the 21st century, such as [[bipolar disorder]], [[attention deficit disorder]], [[drug abuse]], alienation,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.progressiveworld.net/html/modules.php?id=76&name=Interviews&rop=showcontent|title=porcupine tree|website=ProgressiveWorld.net|first=Marcel |last=Haster|date=6 July 2007|access-date=5 April 2008}}</ref> and deprivation caused by mass media.<ref name="DPRP Specials">{{cite web|url=http://www.dprp.net/specials/2008_porcupinetree/index.php|title=DPRP Specials – Porcupine Tree – Interview 2008|first1=Martien|last1=Koolen|first2=Bart Jan|last2=van der Vorst|publisher=The Dutch Progressive Rock Page|access-date=5 April 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080402054123/http://www.dprp.net/specials/2008_porcupinetree/index.php|archive-date=2 April 2008}}</ref> The concept of the album was inspired by [[Bret Easton Ellis]] novel ''[[Lunar Park]]''<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.caerllysimusic.co.uk/contents/en-uk/d77.html | title= Interview with Steve Wilson in Preston 53 Degrees venue | publisher= Caerllysi Music | access-date= 20 April 2007 | date= 20 April 2007 | first= Tam | last= Laird | url-status= dead | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070928131455/http://www.caerllysimusic.co.uk/contents/en-uk/d77.html | archive-date= 28 September 2007 | df= dmy-all }}</ref> and the title alludes to [[Public Enemy (band)|Public Enemy]]'s album, ''[[Fear of a Black Planet]]'', both sharing the particularity of reflecting notorious conflicts affecting society in the world at some time. Wilson notes that whilst [[racism|race relationship]] was the main issue among young people when Public Enemy's album was released, it was replaced in the 21st century by a general superficiality, boredom, and introversion.<ref name="ProgArchives">{{cite web | first= Joey | last= Kelley | url= http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=37160&FID=47 |title=Topic: Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree, April 2007 | date= April 2007 | access-date= 8 May 2007 | url-status= live | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070525144004/http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=37160&FID=47 |archive-date=2007-05-25 | df= dmy-all }}</ref> The album features contributions from [[Rush (band)|Rush]]'s [[Alex Lifeson]] and [[King Crimson]]'s [[Robert Fripp]].

<blockquote>Wilson: "My fear is that the current generation of kids who're being born into this information revolution, growing up with the Internet, cell phones, iPods, this download culture, 'American Idol,' reality TV, prescription drugs, PlayStations—all of these things kind of distract people from what's important about life, which is to develop a sense of curiosity about what's out there."<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.mtv.com/news/1555478/porcupine-trees-wilson-talks-complex-new-lp-project-with-opeths-akerfeldt/ | title= Porcupine Tree's Wilson Talks Complex New LP, Project With Opeth's Akerfeldt | publisher= [[MTV News]] | date= 23 March 2007 | first= Chris | last= Harris | access-date= 12 April 2008 | url-status= dead | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150105231204/http://www.mtv.com/news/1555478/porcupine-trees-wilson-talks-complex-new-lp-project-with-opeths-akerfeldt/ | archive-date= 5 January 2015 | df= dmy-all }}</ref></blockquote>

[[File:Porcupine Tree Richard Barbieri TS Wisła Kraków 002.jpg|thumb|right|165px|Richard Barbieri during a Porcupine Tree performance in [[Kraków]], Poland, in 2007]]

On 5 November 2007, ''Fear of a Blank Planet'' won the Album of the Year award for the 2007 ''[[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]]'' magazine awards.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/page/classicrock?entry=oh_what_a_night | title = Oh, what a night! | magazine = [[Classic Rock (magazine)|Classic Rock]] | date = 6 November 2007 | access-date=8 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071214050810/http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/page/classicrock?entry=oh_what_a_night |archive-date=14 December 2007}}</ref> In December 2007, it was nominated for a [[Grammy Award for Best Surround Sound Album|Grammy Award for "Best Surround Sound Album"]] though ''[[Love (The Beatles album)|Love]]'' by [[The Beatles]] won the award.<ref name="grammy">{{cite web | url = http://www.musicramble.com/50th-annual-grammy-nominations/ | title = 50th Annual GRAMMY Nominations | publisher = Music Ramble | date = 6 December 2007 | access-date = 6 December 2007 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071214091926/http://www.musicramble.com/50th-annual-grammy-nominations/ | archive-date = 14 December 2007 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

A new [[Extended Play|EP]] called ''[[Nil Recurring]]'' was released on 17 September 2007, featuring four unreleased tracks from the ''Fear of a Blank Planet'' sessions and including another contribution from Robert Fripp. The second leg of the tour started on 3 October 2007, now promoting new music from the EP. ''Nil Recurring'' entered the [[UK Indie Chart|UK Top 30 Independent Label Albums]] at number eight.<ref name="BBC - Radio 1">{{cite web| url = http://i30.tinypic.com/2hnywjt.jpg| title = BBC – Radio 1 – Chart Show| publisher = [[BBC Radio 1]]| date = 24 February 2008| access-date = 3 March 2008| url-status = live| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080413203405/http://i30.tinypic.com/2hnywjt.jpg| archive-date = 13 April 2008| df = dmy-all}}</ref> The EP was reissued on 18 February 2008 through [[Peaceville Records]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://theseaweedfarm.com/2007/11/25/nil-recurring-on-peaceville-records/|title= Nil Recurring on Peaceville Records| website=The Seaweed Farm|access-date= 29 March 2010 |url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110508142014/http://theseaweedfarm.com/2007/11/25/nil-recurring-on-peaceville-records/|archive-date=8 May 2011 |first=David|last=Mytton}}</ref>

A recording from a 4 October 2007 in-store, mostly acoustic, performance at Park Avenue CDs in [[Orlando, Florida]], was released on 18 February 2008 on CD under the name of ''[[We Lost The Skyline]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://theseaweedfarm.com/2008/02/18/nil-recurringand-we-lost-the-skyline-released-today/|title= The Seaweed Farm: Nil Recurring and We Lost The Skyline released today!|access-date= 18 February 2008|archive-date= 27 June 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200627030019/http://theseaweedfarm.com/2008/02/18/nil-recurringand-we-lost-the-skyline-released-today/|url-status= dead}}</ref> The title is a reference to the lyrics of "[[The Sky Moves Sideways|The Sky Moves Sideways (Phase One)]]", which was the opening song on the live set. The album was released on [[Gramophone Record|vinyl]] of 21 March 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://theseaweedfarm.com/2008/03/21/we-lost-the-skyline-vinyl-edition/|title= We Lost The Skyline vinyl edition| website=The Seaweed Farm|access-date =21 March 2008 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717030019/http://theseaweedfarm.com/2008/03/21/we-lost-the-skyline-vinyl-edition/|archive-date=17 July 2011|first=David |last=Mytton }}</ref> While intended to be a full-band show, the lack of space in the store only allowed the two guitarists, Wilson and John Wesley, to play.

====''The Incident''====
[[File:Porcupine Tree (2967150113).jpg|thumb|Porcupine Tree in Madrid, 2008; [[Richard Barbieri]] (left), [[Steven Wilson]], [[Gavin Harrison]] (on drums) and [[Colin Edwin]].]]
The band played a short European tour in October 2008 to shoot their second live-concert film, ''[[Anesthetize (concert film)|Anesthetize]]'', preceded by three concerts in Australia in April.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.setlist.fm/stats/concert-map/porcupine-tree-63d6b2fb.html?year=2008|title= Porcupine Tree – Tour Statistics|website= setlist.fm|date= 9 August 2019}}</ref> The filming took place on 15 and 16 October in the Netherlands at the 013 [[Tilburg]] venue.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.porcupinetree.com/news.cfm#1568|title=Porcupine Tree – News|date=5 June 2008|access-date=23 June 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604161429/http://www.porcupinetree.com/news.cfm#1568|archive-date=4 June 2008}}</ref> During one of these shows, Wilson mentioned that Porcupine Tree had started work on material for their next album, with an eye toward a release in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://theseaweedfarm.com/2008/10/20/new-porcupine-tree-album-in-2009/|title=New Porcupine Tree Album in 2009|date=20 October 2008|access-date=22 November 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090811064437/http://theseaweedfarm.com/2008/10/20/new-porcupine-tree-album-in-2009/|archive-date=11 August 2009}}</ref> The live-concert film on DVD and [[Blu-ray]] was released on 20 May 2010.

The band started recording their tenth studio album, ''[[The Incident (album)|The Incident]]'', in February 2009. This was confirmed by the band, stating, "Writing for the next PT studio record is well underway, with the band recently spending two weeks scheduled in the English countryside working on new tracks. Recording of these pieces and a new 35-minute SW song cycle were due to start in February..."<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.porcupinetree.com/news.cfm#1597|title= Porcupine Tree – News|date= 16 December 2008|url-status= dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080604161429/http://www.porcupinetree.com/news.cfm#1597|archive-date= 4 June 2008|df= dmy-all}}</ref> Months later, Wilson commented the 35-minute song kept evolving and now it has become a 55-minute song, occupying the entire disc.

On 12 June 2009, details were revealed on the Porcupine Tree website, "the record is set to be released via Roadrunner Records worldwide on 21 September, as a double CD. The centrepiece is the title track, which takes up the whole of the first disc. The 55-minute work is described as a slightly surreal song cycle about beginnings and endings and the sense that 'after this, things will never be the same again.' The self-produced album is completed by four standalone compositions that developed out of band writing sessions last December – Flicker, Bonnie The Cat, Black Dahlia, and Remember Me Lover feature on a separate EP-length disc to stress their independence from the song cycle."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.porcupinetree.com/news.cfm#1669|title=The Incident|publisher=Porcupine Tree|date=12 June 2009|access-date=15 June 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604161429/http://www.porcupinetree.com/news.cfm#1669|archive-date=4 June 2008}}</ref> The album was the band's biggest commercial success to date, reaching number 23 in the UK album charts and also reaching the US'' Billboard ''Top 25.

The band also released another live album, ''[[Atlanta (Porcupine Tree album)|Atlanta]]'', in June 2010. The performance was actually recorded during the tour of ''Fear of a Blank Planet'' at the Roxy theatre, Atlanta, on 29 October 2007. It was released via online distribution only, with all the sale proceeds donated to [[Mick Karn]] for his treatment against cancer.<ref>[http://www.mickkarn.net/ MICK KARN APPEAL] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101229170038/http://mickkarn.net/ |date=29 December 2010 }}, – 4 June 2010. mickkarn.net</ref>

===Inactivity and hiatus (2011–2020)===
[[File:Porcupine Tree @ Poznan, Poland 2007 07 - Colin Edwin.jpg|thumb|215x215px|Colin Edwin in Poland, 2007]]
After finishing the touring cycle for ''The Incident'' in 2010, Wilson spent the rest of the year, and 2011, recording and releasing his second solo album, ''[[Grace for Drowning]]'', and Blackfield's third album, ''[[Welcome to my DNA]]''. Initially, the band had mentioned the possibility of working on new music in 2012, with Wilson mentioning "early 2012",<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.guitarworld.com/interview-guitarist-steven-wilson-blackfield-and-porcupine-tree |title=Interview: Guitarist Steven Wilson of Blackfield and Porcupine Tree |magazine=[[Guitar World]] |date=6 July 2011 |author=Siwasaki |access-date=17 October 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111107042218/http://www.guitarworld.com/interview-guitarist-steven-wilson-blackfield-and-porcupine-tree |archive-date=7 November 2011}}</ref> and Harrison guessing they would start work in 2012 and release music in 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hit-channel.com/gavin-harrison-solo-05ricporcupine-treeking-crimson/2618 |title=Interview:Gavin Harrison (Solo & 05Ric,Porcupine Tree,King Crimson) |access-date=9 August 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812010336/http://www.hit-channel.com/gavin-harrison-solo-05ricporcupine-treeking-crimson/2618 |archive-date=12 August 2014  |date=12 April 2012 }}</ref> However, this soon changed, with Wilson announcing that he would continue to focus his future on his solo career. This new focus included a second leg of touring in support of ''Grace for Drowning'' in the first half of 2012, recording a third solo album in the second half of the year with his touring band,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hit-channel.com/steven-wilson-soloporcupine-treeblackfieldno-man/2517|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812010122/http://www.hit-channel.com/steven-wilson-soloporcupine-treeblackfieldno-man/2517|archive-date=12 August 2014 |title=Interview: Steven Wilson (solo, Porcupine Tree, Blackfield, No-Man)|date=December 2011|publication-date=12 April 2012|publisher=Hit Channel|author= Thodoris |access-date=14 June 2016}}</ref> releasing it in early 2013,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=42991 |title=Steven Wilson: Luck's What You Make It |date=October 2012 |publisher=Allaboutjazz.com |access-date=29 June 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202111701/http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=42991 |archive-date=2 February 2014}}</ref> and then touring in support of the third solo album for "much of the year" – throughout 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=42991&pg=2 |title=Steven Wilson: Luck's What You Make It |date=October 2012 |publisher=Allaboutjazz.com |access-date=29 June 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202111704/http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=42991&pg=2 |archive-date=2 February 2014}}</ref> Wilson still maintained that the band "haven't split up" and that there are "no intentions of splitting up",<ref name="discordmagazine.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.discordmagazine.com/steven-wilson-the-definitive-interview/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121217024844/http://www.discordmagazine.com/steven-wilson-the-definitive-interview/|url-status=usurped|title=Steven Wilson|archivedate=17 December 2012|website=discordmagazine.com|access-date=25 June 2021}}</ref> but he also said there were no specific plans for a new album either.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stereoboard.com/content/view/169396/9 |title=Steven Wilson, The Progressive Music Legend, Talks To Stereoboard About His Solo Work (Interview P2) |publisher=Stereoboard |date=9 December 2011 |access-date=29 June 2014}}</ref> While he said that he still "want(s) to get Porcupine Tree back together at some point", he said that he was not sure what direction he wants to take the band, only that he is "tired of metal music",<ref name="rollingstoneindia.com"/> and that one member of the band does not like [[jazz]], so it won't go into the direction of his solo project either.<ref name="discordmagazine.com"/>

In June 2012, Wilson re-emphasised his continued focus on his solo career, with his answer to the question "...is (there) a danger that Porcupine Tree might fall by the wayside?" being, "The honest answer is I don't know. The solo career for me now is probably the most important. I think about it more than anything else, I'm more focused on it than anything else, I enjoy it more than anything else..."<ref name="rollingstoneindia.com">{{cite web |url=http://rollingstoneindia.com/home-flashbox/backstage-with-steven-wilson/ |title=Backstage with Steven Wilson |magazine=[[Rolling Stone|Rolling Stone India]] |date=24 June 2012 |access-date=29 June 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120904091553/http://rollingstoneindia.com/home-flashbox/backstage-with-steven-wilson/ |archive-date=4 September 2012}}</ref> A two-disc live album titled ''[[Octane Twisted]]'' was released that following November by their record label, Kscope, containing a live recording of ''The Incident'' in its entirety, from material recorded at 2010 concerts at the Riviera Theater, Chicago, and the [[Royal Albert Hall]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kscopemusic.com/podcast/|title=Kscope|publisher=[[Kscope]]|date=3 August 2012|access-date=3 August 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120807034959/http://www.kscopemusic.com/podcast/|archive-date=7 August 2012}}</ref> In May 2013, Wilson reiterated his stance on the band's status, stating that it's "...not to say the band has broken up or anything like that. It's always conceivable that we could get back together in a year or five years, or 10 years. I really can't say – there are no plans at the moment."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.progrockmag.com/news/porcupine-tree-on-hold-steven-wilson-confirms/ | title=Porcupine Tree On Hold, Steven Wilson Confirms | date= 18 April 2013| first=Martin | last= Kielty |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130421004733/http://www.progrockmag.com/news/porcupine-tree-on-hold-steven-wilson-confirms/|archive-date=21 April 2013 }}</ref> Edwin's stance mirrored this.<ref name="technologytell.com"/>

After Wilson released his third solo album, ''[[The Raven That Refused to Sing (And Other Stories)]]'' in February 2013, and toured in support of it for the remainder of the year, its success led Wilson to commit to writing and recording a fourth solo album ''[[Hand. Cannot. Erase.]]'' over the course of 2014 and releasing it in 2015, pushing hypothetical work with Porcupine Tree into at least 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stevenwilsonhq.com/sw/the-raven-anniversary-update-from-steven-wilson/ |title='The Raven…' anniversary update from SW – |publisher=Stevenwilsonhq.com |date=18 February 2014 |access-date=29 June 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140623192806/http://stevenwilsonhq.com/sw/the-raven-anniversary-update-from-steven-wilson/ |archive-date=23 June 2014}}</ref> In March 2015, Wilson commented, "if Porcupine Tree [were] to get back together—and, by the way, I have never ruled that out—it will be a side project. There should be no question in anyone's mind that this is now my main musical path, my solo work."<ref name="under the radar">{{cite web |url=http://www.undertheradarmag.com/interviews/steven_wilson |publisher=Under the Radar |title=Steven Wilson: Hiding in Plain Sight |date=2 March 2015 |access-date=5 March 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150307180520/http://www.undertheradarmag.com/interviews/steven_wilson |archive-date=7 March 2015}}</ref>

Moving into 2016, Wilson's views on a re-formation were conflicting. In February 2016, in an interview with ''Prog Magazine'', he stated that there was a "strong possibility" of Porcupine Tree re-forming for another studio album at an undisclosed time in the future.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/upcoming_releases/steven_wilson_confirms_he_will_very_likely_release_a_new_album_with_porcupine_tree.html|title=Steven Wilson Confirms He Will Very Likely Release a New Album With Porcupine Tree - Music News @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803055724/https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/upcoming_releases/steven_wilson_confirms_he_will_very_likely_release_a_new_album_with_porcupine_tree.html|archive-date=3 August 2016}}</ref> However, in response to a question in August 2016 regarding a hypothetical Porcupine Tree performance, Wilson claimed, "you'd be waiting for a long time, that band doesn't exist anymore."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/StevenWilsonHQ/videos/vb.114657261887878/1193098617377065/?type=2&theater|title=Steven Wilson - Timeline {{!}} Facebook|website=Facebook.com|access-date=4 August 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180428024151/https://www.facebook.com/StevenWilsonHQ/videos/vb.114657261887878/1193098617377065/?type=2&theater|archive-date=28 April 2018}}</ref> In August 2017, Wilson explained: "It's no coincidence that since my solo project has taken off, other collaborations have receded to the background. Porcupine Tree hasn't made a record since 2009 and No-Man hasn't made a record since 2008. I feel less need now to be creatively involved in something other than my solo work. My solo work fulfills the musical needs I have now."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.popmatters.com/a-specialist-in-dying-arts-an-interview-with-steven-wilson-2495382622.html|title=A Specialist in Dying Arts: An Interview with Steven Wilson|date=30 August 2017|website=popmatters.com|access-date=28 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227035700/https://www.popmatters.com/a-specialist-in-dying-arts-an-interview-with-steven-wilson-2495382622.html|archive-date=27 February 2018}}</ref>

In a March 2018 interview when asked about the chances of further activity from Porcupine Tree he responded; "Honestly, I would say zero, because I'm just not that kind of person. I don't go backwards. I'm not interested in going backwards; I want to move forwards, I want to do different things, I want to work with different people, I want to explore different kinds of music. That would seem like a terribly backward step to me. I'm proud of the catalogue; it's there, it exists, but it's kind of closed, it's finished."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eonmusic.co.uk/steven-wilson-eonmusic-interview-march-2018.html|title=Steven Wilson eonmusic Interview March 2018|website=eonmusic: music for life.|access-date=28 April 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308232452/https://www.eonmusic.co.uk/steven-wilson-eonmusic-interview-march-2018.html|archive-date=8 March 2018}}</ref> These statements caused an increased tension between him and Barbieri, who was waiting for Wilson to return to Porcupine Tree.<ref name="innerviews"/><ref name="guardian2022"/> However, in February 2021, Wilson suggested that a re-formation was still possible someday, when it was least expected.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://loudwire.com/steven-wilson-talks-porcupine-tree-comeback/|title=Steven Wilson: Porcupine Tree Could Return When Fans Least Expect It|website=Loudwire.com|date=17 February 2021 |access-date=25 June 2021}}</ref>

===Reunion, ''Closure/Continuation'' and future (2021–present)===
[[File:Porcupine_Tree_live_at_Wembley,_111122_-_52510137056.jpg|alt=Porcupine Tree live at Wembley, 111122 - 52510137056|thumb|Bassist Nate Navarro toured with Porcupine Tree in 2022 and 2023]]
On 27 October 2021, Porcupine Tree, Wilson, and Harrison all shared a teaser video and mailing list link across their social media accounts, along with a stylised "P/T C/C" image. On 1 November the band announced their eleventh album, ''[[Closure/Continuation]]'', to be released in June 2022 on [[Music For Nations]], along with their first single in over 12 years, "Harridan".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/porcupine-tree-return-with-new-single-harridan-and-closure-continuation-album-announcement-3084235|title=Porcupine Tree return with new single 'Harridan' and 'CLOSURE/CONTINUATION' album announcement|accessdate=November 1, 2021|date=November 1, 2021|last=Krol|first=Charlotte|publisher=[[NME]]}}</ref> The lineup of the band now features just Wilson, Harrison, and Barbieri, with guitarist [[Randy McStine]] and bassist Nathan Navarro being added to the touring lineup.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/porcupine-tree-adds-guitarist-and-bassist-to-2022-touring-lineup | title=PORCUPINE TREE Adds Guitarist and Bassist to 2022 Touring Lineup | date=6 May 2022 }}</ref> The album was recorded over 11 years in complete secrecy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Innerviews |title=Porcupine Tree - Collective Action |url=https://www.innerviews.org/inner/porcupine-tree |access-date=2022-06-24 |website=Innerviews: Music Without Borders |language=en}}</ref> Wilson explained Edwin's absence with the two losing contact when the project went on hiatus<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://metalinjection.net/news/steven-wilson-explains-why-colin-edwin-isnt-part-of-porcupine-trees-reunion|title=STEVEN WILSON Explains Why COLIN EDWIN Isn't Part Of PORCUPINE TREE's Reunion|first=Greg|last=Kennelty|date=17 June 2022|website=Metal Injection}}</ref> and stylistic differences, though Barbieri was adamant to say "I don't want any of this to negatively impact Colin or imply this was somehow his fault."<ref name="innerviews">{{Cite web|url=https://www.innerviews.org/inner/porcupine-tree|title=Porcupine Tree - Collective Action|website=Innerviews: Music Without Borders}}</ref> ''Closure/Continuation'' was released on 24 June 2022.

In a March 2022 interview with ''The Guardian'', Wilson addressed the band's future, stating that he was unsure whether this would be the final project by the band or if the reunion would continue past the album. He then stated it was most likely their last album, as he hoped to end the band on a strong note.<ref name="guardian2022">{{cite news |last1=Hann |first1=Michael |title=Reunited prog-rockers Porcupine Tree on surviving their rift: 'You can't help but feel bitter' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/mar/10/reunited-prog-rockers-porcupine-tree-on-surviving-their-rift-you-cant-help-but-feel-bitter |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=10 March 2022}}</ref> In a late June 2022 interview with Under the Radar, however, Wilson expressed his interest in making another Porcupine Tree record that would be more keyboard dominant.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kennelty |first=Greg |date=2022-06-28 |title=STEVEN WILSON Says PORCUPINE TREE Might Do Another Record |url=https://metalinjection.net/upcoming-releases/steven-wilson-says-porcupine-tree-might-do-another-record |access-date=2022-07-01 |website=Metal Injection |language=en-US}}</ref>

The band began the first leg of the Closure/Continuation tour in September 2022,<ref>{{Cite web |last=admin |date=2021-03-05 |title=Tour Dates |url=https://porcupinetree.com/tour-dates/ |access-date=2022-08-11 |website=Porcupine Tree |language=en-US}}</ref> with shows in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Chile. The tour's second leg, starting in October 2022 and carrying through until November 2022, was composed of select cities in Europe and a single performance in the UK at London's Wembley Arena.<ref name="guardian2022"/> Wilson later noted that the band's few 2023 live performances would likely be their last,<ref>{{cite news |last1=DiVita |first1=Joe |title=It Looks Like Reunited Porcupine Tree Will Play Their Last Shows in 2023 |url=https://loudwire.com/porucpine-tree-last-shows-2023 |work=[[Loudwire]] |date=3 January 2023}}</ref> though he stated that they would like to record again.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-06-17 |title=STEVEN WILSON On PORCUPINE TREE's Future: 'We're Leaving Our Options Open' |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/steven-wilson-on-porcupine-trees-future-were-leaving-our-options-open |access-date=2023-07-03 |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |language=en}}</ref> The show at [[Ziggo Dome]] in Amsterdam on 7 November 2022 was filmed and recorded and was released on 8 December 2023 as ''[[Closure/Continuation.Live]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://porcupinetree.com/closure-continuation-live-out-8th-december-2023-now-available-to-pre-order/ | title=Closure/Continuation.Live out 8th December 2023, now available to pre-order! | date=5 November 2023 }}</ref>

In a February 2025, Wilson revealed that the band had continued to work on music, explaining they had enjoyed working on a few songs, and that it was probable, but not yet certain, that it could lead them into another full album.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/steven-wilson-interview-overview-space-porcupine-tree-new-music-coldplay-prog-tour-3839022/ | title=Steven Wilson: "I've tried to reinvent the classic rock guitar solo" | date=18 February 2025 }}</ref>