Hello all
Well here's my review of last night's concert in Luxembourg. I've submitted this to the local English language mag too. The set list was the same as the Lisbon gig.
I had a really wonderful time last night, but it was also so interesting for me because it is litterally decades since I've heard most of this stuff. From 1979-1983 I was a huge Floyd fan. If ever I got sent out of lessons for being the 13 year old brat I was I used to sing The Wall to myself to pass the time.I think a managed to sing most of sides one and two unprompted at my peak. I had all their recorded material plus four versions of Dark Side of the Moon etc etc, But then I just turned them off like a light. I went over to all that mid-80s indie guitar music, much of which was inspired by Syd - Julian Cope and Jesus and Mary Chain. But now in my dotage I'll listen to pretty much anything and have DSOTM on my iPod.
So last night it was so strange - listening to all those Wall songs that are hard wired in my brain - but I don't really like most of them. So I've tried to be fair in my review as I only really like Comfortably Numb from The Wall. I find the self pity and bombast a real pain in the bum to be frank. And don't get me started on the post-Waters stuff. And I was really disappointed with Set the Controls. A sax? What?
But the upside - well. I've never experienced anything like GGITS at a concert. Where does that song come from? It's a whole genre all on its own. And One of these days - wow - and Comfortably Numb was just sensational.
So a very mixed, very interesting experience. One of those concerts that will stay with me for weeks to come.
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From being little more than proficient in the first half, The Australian Pink Floyd Show at the Rockhal on Sunday came fully to life in the second half to leave both fans and neutrals enthralled. Pink Floyd are one of a select few bands who have managed to carve a singular, distinctive niche for themselves within their broad category of music. The Aussies (who this year are celebrating their 20th year) did full justice to this legacy, creating a very special audio-visual experience.
Billed at “The Wall and More” the show began with a run through of the first five tracks from that most quintessential of concept albums. Technically perfect, with projections of some of the original concert animation, there was a warm reception from the fans given a rare chance to hear live renditions from the record which has sold 11.5 million copies in the US alone since its 1979 release.
This part of the show struggled to set the blood racing. With the subject matter being the alienation felt by a millionaire rock star, the songs were there to be appreciated rather than offering much inspiration. Learning to Fly and Money changed the direction before a return to theme of songwriter Roger Waters’ troubled upbringing with a rendition of “Mother”. Again, all very proficient and doing what it said on the tin, but the less than committed fan could be forgiven for feeling under-whelmed.
The set-list only made two forays into the pre-Dark Side of the Moon material and one of these was a version of the 1968 mellow hippy meander Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun. Bizarrely, from being almost note perfect in their respect for the original versions of all other songs, the Aussies decided to perform a cleaned up version including interjections from a saxophonist, totally changing the song’s feel. The first half climaxed with the power chords of a rousing Sheep, reminding everyone that they were actually at a rock concert.
The second half was a different beast altogether, with the theme being the rockier tunes from The Wall: Empty Spaces, Young Lust, Hey You and Run Like Hell. But the stand-out was the sensational, soaring guitars of Comfortably Numb, culminating in one of rock’s very best solos. Just like the CD, but live and louder. Shine On You Crazy Diamond and Wish You Were Here, the touching tributes to the lost genius of the late Syd Barrett, were also impressive, enhanced with a mesmerising video and light show.
But by far the highlight of the show was the literally spine tingling and jaw dropping version of Great Gig in the Sky. The searing, gospel/opera inspired vocals-as-an-instrument filled the dull old concrete box that is the Rockhal with aching, exhilarating beauty. So challenging was the task, that the vocals duties were shared by two of the three backing singers. Like the CD, but live, louder and better. After that, the show flirted with anti-climax but a carousing rendition of One Of These Days banished these doubts before the finale of Comfortably Numb.
As well as the music, there were the other traits of the Pink Floyd universe that made for such an unusual rock and roll experience: the +/-2,250 crowd were all seated, huge inflatable animals bobbed about looking silly and there was a 20 minute break halfway through. Strangest of all, the band lacked anything approaching charisma, happy to let the music and their technical skill do the rest. With this concert being the sixth out of a 55 date European tour these unassuming blokes are clearly doing something right.
Arnold, that was a great read, thank you. Even though I can't agree with all points that you make (accepting that I haven't seen this set list played yet) it is refreshing to get the input from someone new to the forum - welcome.