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So here we go again, Plymouth Pavilions is not the largest venue for the guys to play, so each year is spent wondering whether my local gig will be dropped in favour of somewhere larger, but so far they keep on coming back bigger and better, and long may that continue, I have an unbroken record here since 2001, and hope to go on for a few more years yet. Right, to the show.....

First impression on entering the arena was that the stage looked a lot bigger, and it appears that this is down to some new PA equipment, no more large speaker stacks at either side of the stage, enabling the band to spread out more, giving a much wider visual impression than before, with four musicians across stage front, left to right, Steve M, Colin, Damien and Jason. Drums, Horns/Percussion and 3 backing vocalists were on a riser behind the front four, with a small set of steps at stage centre between the two levels, which would be used to good effect during the show by Ian C. There was also a huge rear projection screen which was the full width of the stage and very high.
The arena quickly filled to capacity, the atmosphere was electric and expectations were very high from a crowd who knew their Floyd pretty well - would the band deliver?

Hell Yes!  The opening "outside the wall"  played by the new guy Carl on Clarinet morphed into "waltzing Matilda" before the crashing riff of "In the Flesh", and we were off on a 3 hour musical and visual treat that pushed the bar a bit higher again for any other Floyd band trying to emulate the Aussies.

The set was exactly the same as posted previously by parsfan, so I will not repeat it, but being "The Wall" there was an opportunity for some theatrics from the band during the performance, and it was an opportunity that they were not going to let slip by, with the 3 girls dancing in shorts and skimpy tops during "Young Lust" - which provoked some feelings of "Old Lust" in at least one of the audience . the Trial sequence was handled brilliantly, with Carl appearing as the Teacher, Jackie and Emily (I think) sang the roles of Mother and Wife, and Ian gave a very dramatic and intense interpretation of "Pink's" angst and self examination.
There was a short break during "The Wall", just enough time to offload some used beer and upload a fresh pint before some tasty fretless bass playing on "Hey You" had us up and running again. All too soon the full cast were in a line across stage front with acoustic instruments playing "Outside the wall" like a band of wandering minstrels, and strolling off to the side leaving an empty dark stage and a crowd showing their appreciation and longing for more.
We were not to be disappointed, figures could be seen placing guitars on stands, and before long the haunting keyboard sound led us into "Shine On", and a seven song encore, including Amy's moment in the spotlight for "Great Gig", which was sublime to say the least.

To sum up, "The Wall" has never been my favourite Floyd album, but to hear and see it performed live to this standard was a delight, and the encore provided a good chance to pick up the mood and clap/sing along after the pretty dark material that is "The Wall". So to anybody who is not sure about going this year because of the choice of theme, I would say just go with an open mind and be blown away as I was - now where is that gig list so I can try and plan another show somewhere?, a year is just too long to wait. Enjoy the tour people.............Al

Excellent review FJ. Many thanks for an excellent read.

Where's Ola!

Kay

Ola is taking a break from the band to work on a project in Poland in which she is taking a lead role.

Thanks..wonderful review. Really can't wait for Leicester on Sunday now, 4 of us going!

Great review fj - thanks.

Tomorrow at Brighton can't come soon enough.