Pink Floyd

Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets – Sunday 1st May 2022

Posted on by Music Fan

Today’s gig was supposed to have taken place almost exactly 2 years ago, 2nd May 2020 to be precise, but here we are 2 years and 2 rescheduled dates later. We had got lucky in that the despite now being a Sunday tomorrow was a Bank Holiday so we booked in to a nearby hotel for the evening. Sallying forth we wandered through the centre of Leicester looking at where to eat. Lots to choose from but none appealing to us although the customary Portuguese chicken restaurant was there. On this occasion we opted for something closer to the venue, the Italian was fully booked and the next door Indian completely empty, personally I avoid empty restaurants. So we made for the pub as had many other gig goers.

Interestingly, once at the venue there was only the customary bag searches no metal detectors or pat downs but perhaps that’s down to the average age of the patrons some of whom looked like they’d set off the detectors with implants (much like myself!). I’ve seen Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets 3 times in total and was very fortunate to have been there at the “birth” of this group at Dingwalls. They’ve come a long way since those nascent gigs and are now internationally renowned scoring rave reviews from the press.

We visited the bar first for some refreshments and had a lively chat with the lady serving us because she’d asked me if I wanted my “Old Speckled Hen” off the shelf or from the cooler! Off the shelf of course no one drinks cold real ale as the man next to me agreed. She did say some do and we laughed when I pointed out the dust on the bottle suggested she was correct and only us oldies appreciate real ale the way it’s supposed to be drunk – warm.

Taking our seats we had a great view of the stage. Looking about there were a few mask wearers but unfortunately quite a few empty seats in the sold out venue. Were they empty because of the rescheduled date or did this represent victims of Covid (again considering the average age of the audience). Whilst the age was top heavy it’s pleasing to see many younger members of the audience perhaps reflecting the appeal of this brand of, at times whimsical, psychedelic prog-rock.

The imminent arrival of the band is signalled by a tape recording that ends with a countdown as Nick and the rest of the band emerge to cheers and applause. They open with a favourite of mine, “One of These Days” with it’s deep bass line effortlessly plucked by Guy Pratt as the lights circle and Lee Harris caresses the wailing slide guitar as the sound rises and falls. It’s an energetic opening as the song conveys an anger and brooding presence. Yet, as Nick later tells us, it’s not quite the original nor do they intend to faithfully recreate the sound or timbre of those songs. All songs played tonight come from the days Pink Floyd inherited the smoky club rooms of London experimenting with their sound and, dare I say, tripping out the outrageous twist and turns many of their more expansive melodies take.

Nick rises from his seat behind the drums to address us and appears nervous, he’s still not accustomed to being in the lime light. Nicks more at home as the stick man gluing together the dysfunctional parts of Pink Floyd, keeping things nicely ticking over as they reach stadium filling superstardom. Nick mentions that this run of gigs was a long time coming and thanks us for sticking with them. He gently asks us to turn off those annoying lights if we’re recording the show to which they have no problems with at all.

Apparently the next song was banned by the BBC for its lewd content which actually, and often seems to, meant increased sales. “Arnold Layne” is a one of those charming Barrett ditties that at first appear childlike but actually are musically well structured like the other Barrett penned songs “Candy in a Current Bun” (name changed to avoid another ban), “If” and “Vegetable Man” all of which got an airing.

The actual performance of “If” was briefly interrupted by “Atom Heart Mother” reminding us that the band are interpreting the works of early Pink Floyd rather than just covering them. It was at this point that I realised that these works were actually very inspirational to me as a teenager growing up in the 70’s and influential on my musical tastes. Perhaps this is why I keep coming back to see the band and also because invariably no two concerts will be the same. They seem to connect with my psyche and induce a sense of rapture.

During more chat there were poignant moments when Nick remembered Syd and Rick and warm applause rippled round the arena. There’s a birthday greeting for a 16 year old fan from one of the social media pages as Guy introduces Rick’s offering of “Remember a Day” and says he’d best get it right as Rick is also his father in law!

Nick then introduced the band to us and recalls a tale about Lee Harris convincing him to come out of retirement to create the band and about how Gary Kemp came to be lead guitar. “It was all a bit vague” he says “Gary thought he’d be working with Roger (waters) and I thought I was getting Tony Hadley”, cue lots of laughter. Gary replied that it was a great honour to be part of the band and that he’d bought Relics in Woolworths (remember that store?) but only because it was half the price of the other albums, more laughter. To end the first half they play the otherworldly near instrumental “Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun” with the title whispered into the overlapping and intertwining melodies as the back drop shows the Sun’s roiling surface casting an eerie red/orange glow over the band.

This spaced out feel continued after the interval with “Interstellar Overdrive” and “Astronomy Domine” from Pink Floyds debut album “Piper at the Gates of Dawn” . These cement the psychedelic elements of the band as each member cajoles intricate expressions from their instruments in tune with the back beat delivered by Nick. You can see each member is looking for leads from the other as, on occasion, it feels like a jam session and perhaps that’s what these free flowing instrumentals are. Harking back to Pink Floyds experimental roots where they were given free rein to develop sounds, test them out and use or throw away.

After a couple more songs we were presented with an absolute treat “Echoes” the full 23 minutes of prog-rock extravaganza. It reaches exquisite heights of instrumental improvisation before the echoing screech of what I’ve always imagined was an Albatross’s cry in flight. Finally crashing into the amped up sound of Gary’s ferocius guitar strumming as Lee compliments this by caressing his 6-string in a way that rolls around and under and before Dom’s keyboards finally calm it all down. We were on our feet, thunderous applause, cheers and whistles rang out as the band came forward for a bow. Oh that was good, very good.

Not finished yet we get a 3 song encore of “See Emily Play”, “A Saucerful of Secrets” and the charming childlike absurdity of “Bike” which, when heard, who can then forget “Gerald” 🙂

Outstanding again and the joy they seem to have whilst playing is reflected in the songs and their delivery. Have fun, play music and the rest will surely follow and it does.

My Review Score : 10

Saucerful Of Secrets

Nick Mason’s Saucerful Of Secrets – Saturday 4th May 2019

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Recently we’ve been trying to only book gigs in London that are at the weekend because travel is complicated. Marylebone seems to be the only major London terminal that does not have good tube links meaning the journey to/from any venue is more complicated. However, it seemed this time was going to be complicated and we may not be able to get home. After much deliberation including whether we should drive we settled on letting the train take the strain and then getting a bus. Luckily, we’d found the #27 stopped very close to the Roundhouse and there would be one back again.

Arriving in Marylebone it was fortunate we’d decided to travel by bus rather than walk, which was possible via Regents Park, as the weather was very poor for May. The bus dropped us at it’s terminus next to the Roundhouse and we went in search of food. That fabled Portuguese chicken emporium had an outlet over the road, so we went there and were lucky enough to get a table straight away. Contrary to our last visit to this chain, service was quick despite it being very busy although we had to forgo the chicken breast as it would take a further 20 minutes (must’ve been a rush on!). We noticed others there that were also going to the gig and even 4 of the sound crew turned up. I recognised them, not personally, from their t-shirts as I work for an audio console manufacturer once owned by Peter Gabriel!

The queue to get in was quite large and the touts were wandering up and down seemingly selling tickets, but I couldn’t be sure. Behind us in the queue was a lady who wanted a ticket for her friend, but they kept telling her they’d make sure they were in by 9pm. Funny that, I thought, I think you are selling tickets so why keep them waiting? Trying to get the most money? Also, according to the website, the main act was due on at 8:30pm. We left her fretting as we entered the doors to be greeted by security. I whipped out my “no scanners” card which, to his credit, he did actually read and said I’d have to be frisked by his mate. His mate, after asking why, gave me a pat and let me through as, clearly, I pose no threat 😊

The roundhouse is an interesting venue being an old railway turntable that fell out of use when the trains got too big. Inside is still the old steel work although the turntable has gone, now that would’ve been fun it spinning round as the band played. After getting refreshments we positioned ourselves in the middle for the first band. However, we soon realised the timings were going to be off and that the touts must’ve had inside knowledge which also made our journey home tight.

McNally Waters

Eventually McNally Waters came on at 8pm and played their first song after which we were introduced to the band by Larry McNally. I’ve since looked them up and it seems they’re really a 2-piece band comprising Larry on vocals and guitar with Harry Waters on piano and it further transpires that Harry is Roger Water’s son which I suppose is the connection here and possibly why they’re on the bill. The blurb I read is very complimentary and I’m sure accurate, but I just didn’t enjoy it. At times it seemed to be forced, a bit chaotic and what on earth the drum solo was for I’ve no idea except to be filler. One song in particular was way out of key and grating to the ear. However, when Larry introduced a song inspired by New Orleans and sort of bluesy jazz, they sounded pretty good as it seemed to suit their styles well.  Overall though not for me.

My Review Score: 4

During the interval we acquired more refreshments and decided that we needed to be nearer the back to make a quick exit to get the bus for the last train home. We ended up behind the mixing desk but still had a pretty good view and, as a bonus, there was a TV monitor we could watch. This was because the show was being recorded by several camera’s positioned around the stage. The one we were closest too was trained on the drums!

Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets

There was a general rustle in the crowd and the lights dimmed heralding the arrival on stage of Nick and his band. They immediately began the show with “Interstellar Overdrive” from Pink Floyds first album “The Piper at the Gates of Dawn”. This sets the tone for the evening both in terms of music and show. From the start the show echoes that of Pink Floyds heady early days, colourful, mesmeric and otherworldly. You could be forgiven in believing in Time Travel as we’re transported back to the late ‘60’s/early 70’s both visually and aurally. This first song is a lengthy instrumental introduction and the crowd is swaying mesmerised. I immediately notice a difference to most other gigs I go to in that you can clearly see, even from where we stood, the enthusiasm for the music and performance from all the band members. When the band enjoy what they’re doing it elevates the music, infuses it with an energy that is infectious, and we all catch it.

They transition almost seamlessly into “Astronomy Domine” and one of my favourite early Floyd tracks. Perhaps this is because of it’s Gregorian Chant like lyrics sung by the 3 guitarists, the word “Domine” often used in such chants. The piece builds from the bass introduction with drums joining and driving it forward as the guitars rise in prominence. If anything, I believe there’s more drum line in this version after all wasn’t a lot of early Floyd improvisation and interpretation around a central theme. By now I’ve noticed that the camera is trained on Nick and I can see his playing “up close” and it’s effortless despite his admission in interviews that revisiting these pieces he’d found how intricate and tricky they are to play.

If I have one niggle it’s that when Nick gets up from the drums to address us, we can barely hear him. However, that’s a minor thing compared to the superb music being played for us.

As with their other gig’s I’ve attended they don’t play anything from 1973 or later, that’s from “Dark Side of the Moon” and later. That’s not what they are about. What they do play though are some more obscure songs and those tracks less played, or not at all, during Pink Floyd tours of the past.

The crowd is distinctly older and that is a shame as this is superlative music that the younger generation would enjoy. Also, there are some that seem to have come just to talk! During one of the quieter moments their voices impinged on my ears. I’ll never understand why people come to a gig just to chat and not enjoy the music. A chap next to me had the same understanding and we found cupping our ears helped to drown them out.

During the show there’s a raft of Syd Barrett penned songs that sound as innocent now as they did then. Although when played live they take on a different life, one fuller of sound and colour that pack a surprisingly lively punch. “Arnold Lane” being an example of this which has many around me singing along and I wonder if they know what the subject matter is, but they probably do. This was followed by the obscure “Vegetable Man” which had the guy in front scratching his head, asking his partner who asked someone else and so on until they all shook their heads.

Roughly in the middle they gave us an abbreviated version of “Atom Heart Mother” which, in this superb venue, was a roaring surprise full of raw emotion beginning with all 3 guitarists surrounding Nick as a pack surrounds its leader. The transitions between parts are effortlessly negotiated giving a new feeling to the song. It sounded a little raucous and whilst the crowd was swaying and dancing along with a touch more oomph you could imagine a mosh pit developing.

From Nicks most favourite Floyd album and the one his band is named after, “Saucerful of Secrets”, comes “Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun” possibly the only song that featured the 5 members of Pink Floyd. This is definitely otherworldly and always reminds me of a scene in “The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy” where the “loudest band in the Galaxy, Disaster Area” crash a spaceship into a local star. It is unsurprising then to learn that Douglas Adams based “Disaster Area” on Pink Floyd and the TV scene was a reference to Floyd’s extravagant shows and specifically “Set the Controls…”. As the song reaches its climax, I can visualise that spaceship crashing into the star causing a supernova of light and sound.

Throughout the night Nick and Guy share anecdotes about playing with Pink Floyd all of which are reminiscences and affectionate musings from the “we ran out of Sid” explanation of why “Vegetable Man” was unfinished to the poignant “written by my son’s grandfather” introduction to “Remember A Day”. Oh and Nick mentioned his recent visit to a near by Palace to pick up a different type of gong.

As the journey continues through the more obscure and well-loved early music, we are treated to enthusiastic versions of more Syd Barrett songs in “See Emily Play” and “Bike”. I like “Bike” for its seemingly simple theme and almost childlike lyrics and yet it segues into one of the more visceral songs Pink Floyd, in my opinion, produced “One of These Days”.

The opening of “One of These Days” is met with whoops and shouts from the crowd and if there was any moshing this was going to be it. The song, a dig at Sir Jimmy Young, features the only vocal appearance from Nick as he intones “one of these days I’m going to cut you into little pieces”. Its loud, vibrant, raucous with an undertone of violence as we’re swept along by a thundering bass line and the screeching banshee howl of guitar. It’s this blistering performance that brings the set to a close to huge cheers and applause.

Of course, that isn’t it as the band re-emerge to begin the encore with their namesake “Saucerful Of Secrets” with it’s slow existential build up for which the sound engineer is earning his money keeping up with. Nick comes in with the drums providing a solid base for the chromatic noise to blend into before the unmistakable notes of Rick Wrights keyboards rise like a phoenix from the mix expertly played by Dom. All settles down from this “experimental” beginning into the celestial voices part which sends a shiver down the spine.

They conclude with a “lost” single “Point Me at The Sky” a very rare recording until it’s renaissance in 2016 with its inclusion in the “Early Years” box set and of course now played live by Nicks band. It’s a good song to end on as the lyrics contain “Goodbye” and as we’re enjoying the finale with the band all singing “Goodbye” we know it’s the end of the night.

As they gather at the front to bow again and we applaud my partner and I make for the exit along with many others to beat the rush. We manage to get the bus and last train home.

This is the third time I’ve seen Saucerful Of Secrets and they’ve got better each time not that the first was shabby by any means. They’re still smiling and laughing they way through like children in a sweet shop and it means we all had fun as well. This is what music is about to me an I feel uplifted and energised.

If they tour again go and see them, it is well worth it and if not then watch out for the DVD.

My Review Score: 10

Saucerful Of Secrets

Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets – Tuesday 25th September 2018

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It was no surprise that shortly after the warm up gigs Nick Mason announced a tour for his Saucerful of Secrets and of course I had to get tickets. However, my partner was away on business, so her ticket went on Twickets and sold almost straight away. This time I’d booked to go to Birmingham as it seemed to be easier to get to than London and whilst that may be the case it isn’t as easy to get home again with the last train at 23:30, surprisingly early.

Arriving in plenty of time was a good idea because there’s an awful lot of building work going on and a bit of a detour to get to the symphony hall. Fortunately, near by was a pizza restaurant so I had something to eat before entering the venue to meet my spare ticket buyer. Inside the hall there was an event taking place, “BOA Drinks event” or something so I wandered over to the table and asked the waiter what BOA stood for, he didn’t know! So, I asked if I could have a glass of wine and I wandered back with glass in hand only to receive a puzzled look by security because I obviously wasn’t there for the BOA event 😊

After meeting up and handing over the ticket I headed in to the hall to watch the support act, Emma Tricca.

Emma Tricca

Emma is a singer songwriter and guitarist and, on this occasion, had an accomplice with her also on guitar. Whilst Emma had an acoustic guitar the guy with her was on electric guitar. The music is folk and the melodies pleasant and enhanced by the electric guitar. However, from the start it all sounded flat and her voice out of tune. I’ll have to put this down to the rigours of touring or something like that because the same tracks on YouTube sound infinitely better.

My Review Score: 5

At the interval I obtained the obligatory t-shirt and some refreshments before retaking my seat for the main act.

Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets

Right on time the intro to “Interstellar Overdrive” begins and the audience is instantly transported back to those heady days of psychedelic rock. The set and lights throughout also remind us of this and at times it was as though we were watching through a giant lava lamp. The music ebbs and flows like those lumps of lava and seamlessly slips into “Astronomy Domine”. After our ears and hearts have been lifted Nick stands up to introduce his band, Lee Harris from the Blockheads, Guy Pratt later Floyd bassist, Dom Bekken keyboard player from The Orb and most surprising (not to me because I was at their very first gig) Gary Kemp from Spandau Ballet. The inclusion of Gary seems to have thrown virtually all other reviewers with comments like “This should not have worked”!

There is little in the way of this between song banter and what there is throws us little anecdotes about early Floyd. Nick reminds us he was born in Birmingham and it’s great to be back with the oldest boyband around and that he’s effectively playing in his own tribute band. It is this self-effacing humour that imbues the whole through out and as Gary tells us that he was living his dream of playing in Pink Floyd, the songs he grew up with, he calls Nick “one of the nicest, funniest and least egotistical man you could ever hope to meet”.

Whilst it was a revelation that this was even taking place perhaps the thing that most people will remember, certainly the other reviewers do, is that Gary is an inspired choice. Watching him you can see the enjoyment and sheer fun he’s having like a child in a sweet shop but he’s also respectful and unassuming as he shares vocal duties with Guy. Together they recreate the child like innocence of Syd Barrett’s songs. Nick tells us how Roger Waters wouldn’t let him play the gong but as he’s not here the gong is all his and he proceeds to beat the hell out of it!

During every song, or perhaps more correctly every instrumental, everyone of the band is smiling. They are enjoying this romp through early Floyd giving us such numbers as “Atom Heart Mother”, “Arnold Layne”, “See Emily Play” and “Set the controls to the heart of the sun”. We are also treated to some more, perhaps, obscure songs such as “Vegetable Man” and “If”.

In the middle of it all one of the Hall’s staff wanders through holding a sound gauge above his head, had some neighbour complained about the sound level? I used my phone app to check and it was around the 90-95Db level so not too loud at all. By comparison at a recent football match the Sunderland fans managed 105Db for almost the entire 90 minutes!!

Whilst this is Nick’s band being behind a drum kit is a hinderance to being the front man. So, as he propelled the music forward supported by tight riffs from Lee and superb keyboards from Dom, it is Guy and Gary who sing the most and are the ones mainly in the spotlight. Yet the whole is better than the sum of its parts as together they almost perfectly recreate the tripped out sonic sounds of psychedelic rock at it’s most improvisational and best. This is a sound to luxuriate in, bathe your ears and wash the dirt from your mind. That each member is enjoying it adds to that luxurious soundscape being created. It’s somewhat a pity that the audience is mainly over middle age as this is timeless music.

At the end we have a reimagining of “One of these days” and by that, I mean there’s no slide guitar that David Gilmore uses but it’s none the less the thundering head rush of the original.

When the band return for the encore Nick says “I hope you’ve enjoyed this as much as we have” which of course we have. They end with the track of the band name “Saucerful of Secrets” and “Point me at the sky” by which time we’re all on our feet cheering and clapping. As Nick was the only original member playing here I thought it served as a reminder to all that Nick is not only a brilliant drummer but what a key part he played in Pink Floyd becoming the success it was.

My review score: 10

Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets

Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets – Sunday 20th May 2018

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On a very sunny and warm day my partner and I set off for Camden to see Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets at Dingwall’s. We’d decided to drive and park at East Finchley because getting to Camden from Marylebone isn’t easy but it’s a single tube from East Finchley. We went early because of the sun to enjoy a walk along the canal.

East Finchley was quiet but when we ascended from the tube at Camden it was into a bustling hive of activity. All the shops, pubs and restaurants were open and there were throngs of people around. After making our way through the crowds and getting iced drinks we began our walk along the canal. This too was busy, but we came to an abrupt halt when some drunks got into a fight amongst themselves. After safely navigating that we had a great walk through Regents Park which was full of people enjoying themselves in the sun and we even got to see the camels at London Zoo!!

I had a 2-for-1 voucher for Pizza Express so we ate there before making our way back to Dingwall’s to join the short queue. As we were waiting in the queue I was asked what it was all about and replied we’re here to see Nick Mason. As the chap and his friend walked off she clearly said “never heard of him!” The bloke behind me said I should’ve answered Gary Kemp as he thought they’d have heard of him, but I didn’t understand what he meant at that time.

Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets

Nick Mason is a founding member of Pink Floyd and has played in every live show since but following their final show at Live8 in 2005 he receded from public view. Other members of Floyd, notably Dave Gilmore and Roger Waters have been more active with solo projects, but I can’t think of any drummer who has successfully launched a solo career. So it came as a surprise that Nick announced he was putting a band together to, effectively, play “covers” of early Pink Floyd and for a fan it’s a must-see show. Perhaps even more surprising was the intention to play in front of small crowds rather than the stadiums the later Floyd played in.

The tickets came with name and ID check before the security pat down and bag search. Inside it was very dark before our eyes adjusted. Refreshments in hand we claimed a spot next to the sound desk. It was interesting to watch what the engineer got up to and I was able to read the setlist from his screen, it was going to be a great night. As I looked around I don’t think I saw anyone in the crowd under the age of 40 apart from the guy next to me who may have been in his 30’s. About 10 minutes before the announced start time the engineer and I presume on stage engineer synchronised watches and the lighting guy turned up. Bang on time the engineer started his show on the console and an intro tape started playing, the lights dimmed, the engineer requested they turn of the lights to the right of the stage and out came the musicians to a huge roar and applause from the crowd.

Wasting no time they kicked off with “Interstellar Overdrive” and I peered round the chap in front to get a view of the stage. The 3 guitarists were all visible and I could see Nick sat at his drum kit, but the keyboard player was hidden from my view. This was the perfect start to the perfect early Pink Floyd set list as they continued seamlessly into “Astronomy Domine”. This is near perfect Pink Floyd played in a small dark venue to a small (500) crowd of admirers by a group of musicians that look like they’re doing it for the pleasure. As I listen intently to tracks I’ve not heard for a while I pick up on trivial things that aren’t quite polished but then this is their first night.

After the next track Nick takes up the microphone to say hello to us all and thanks for coming. He’s softly spoken and perhaps a little overwhelmed by the crowds’ reaction as though not quite expecting it as well as being unaccustomed to being the bands spokesperson. He introduced us to the band and as well as Floyd stalwart Guy Pratt there was Lee Harris from The Blockheads, composer Dom Beken who I think was on keyboards but couldn’t see and lead guitar was Gary Kemp from Spandau Ballet. Nick quipped that perhaps they should be known as “The Roger Waters Experience” and that he’d only scored 50% in an online Floyd quiz, “so if you have a question ask the person next to you!”. This was about it for the chat apart from an occasional comment including one about the heat as Guy wiped his head with a towel. However, this is in keeping with the Floyd ethos and generally I feel leads to a much smoother and flowing show where you can get lost in the music rather than be distracted by inane chatter.

Vocal duties were shared between Gary and Guy and since this was early Floyd they were mostly recreating Syd Barret’s part but without that youthful innocence. However, they both approached it with such vigour and sense of joy that it didn’t matter. Some might have wondered what Gary was doing there with his pedigree in the New Romantic genre but his mastery of the guitar, that he played with such enthusiasm and passion, fitted perfectly into the psychedelia of early Floyd. What a revelation and when he gave a huge whoop at the end of “Bike” it showed how much fun he was having and instantly silenced the idiot who’d requested he played “True”.

In fact, all the band played with joy in their hearts and that shone through not only on their faces but also in the music. This is the kind of music that must be played with passion and when the band are having fun, the music is lifted to a different plane and the crowd enjoy it so much more. These early sixties songs have been rejuvenated with this enjoyment and despite their ages I felt the whole experience had a refreshing youthful vigour to it.

Towards the end of the set we had the epic spaced out “Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun” and given the brilliance coming from that cramped stage I felt dragged into a glorious blaze of sound, light and laughter. So much so that when they ended with “One of These Days” even though there was no guest appearance from Dave Gilmour on slide guitar (one can hope!) I wasn’t disappointed, in fact it became something else entirely with Gary’s guitar picking out different nuances and distortions in the music.

After a brief interlude they reappeared for the encore and, of course, played the bands namesake “Saucerful of Secrets” followed by “Point me at the Sky” which we were told, although we already knew, was “one you’ve definitely not heard live before”.

At the end I had a quick chat with the sound engineer thanked him for the production and we headed for the exit and the journey home. On our way I spotted Venus shining bright in the night sky as a kind of talisman to the “interstellar” journey we’d been on. My partner wondered why I was sounding euphoric on only 4 pints! And I replied it was the music, atmosphere and experience. Also, I’d got to hear as close to 60’s Pink Floyd as you’re ever likely to get. Before we departed that morning, I’d joked that there may be some “acid” on offer to help enjoy the psychedelic soundscape, but in the end, it wasn’t necessary to purchase any chemical enhancement because your own body can produce enough of its own.

If they play more shows and you get the chance do not even think twice, go and see them and let your body, together with the music, blow your mind.

My Review Score: 10

The Australian Pink Floyd Show – Saturday 22nd October 2016

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Having seen these guys several times before I was looking forward to this show. With VIP tickets and front row seats I received an email beforehand about the arrangements. Blimey got to be there by 6:15pm at the latest which, as my partner was away the night before was going to make it a bit of a rush. Catching a train from Bletchley made it easier because we could get off a Shepherds bush and catch the tube from there to Hammersmith. We arrived with just enough time to grab something to eat at the “golden arches!!” The VIP package included a goodie bag and a professional photo shoot, I guess they’ve decided not to do the meet and greet this tour. Queueing for the photo gave us the opportunity to inspect the goodies. Was it a wrist band? No we decided that one of the items was a mug warmer for the travel mug also included but we could tell that several people thought it was a wrist band. The photo was over and done very quickly and now we had over an hour to kill with the bars still shut, so we left and found a watering hole nearby where everyone else seemed to have gone. After a couple of beers it was back for the main event.

Seated almost bang in the centre with a great view of the stage the lights dimmed and the first chords of Astronomy Domine heralded the bands entrance. Perhaps not the usual song that gets played at the start of a Pink Floyd or Aussie Floyd show but it shows imagination and a willingness to change things around. This is good because you then don’t know what’s coming next and the gigs don’t become repetitive for Us and Them (song tie in intended). As with Pink Floyd themselves they don’t waste time with meaningless chat between songs which can, in some cases, get in the way of the music which they know is what we are really here for. Rapturous applause greets the end of the song and they’re off into the next straight away and it’s the ever excellent “Shine on you Crazy Diamond” complete with visuals of Sid Barrett which bring an unexpected tear to my eye.

The music is stunning, the visuals eye catching and thought provoking and they have the odd prop to go with them. The show continues with songs from throughout Pink Floyds career including crowd favourites and some less played. For example it’s not that often that I’ve heard “Brain Damage” at a concert but it works well in this context of celebrating the music of Pink Floyd. An ever favourite is “Great Gig in the Sky” which is ably performed by the 3 backing vocalists to a standing ovation at the end for them. Half time is announced with a quiet almost apologetic introduction to “Another Brick in the Wall part 2” for which a very large blow up of the teacher is introduced at the side.

Half time was a visit to the bar for the usual overpriced drinks before settling down for the second half.

Part 2 kicks off with “Pigs” another song I’ve not heard for a long time and this concert is now proving a rediscovery of other gems from the Floyd back catalogue. This continues with “Learning to Fly” and “Hey you” a song I’ve always enjoyed from “The Wall”. However the next one is from the “Final Cut” an album I’m not that fond of but the visuals for this include some more contemporary political figures which brings a smile to my face. A lot of thought and preparation has gone into this tour. They end the second half with “One of these Days” and the massive rampaging kangaroo. Another of my favourite songs and one played on slide guitar with a visceral energy invoking scenes are mayhem and carnage which brings us to our feet as it dies away to applaud rapturously.

Of course they come back for an encore, well they haven’t deployed the glitter ball hanging over the stage yet! They give us perhaps what could be called the “crowd pleasers” “Comfortably Numb” and “Run Like Hell”. For the latter they encouraged us to get on our feet and enjoy which we did. Looking around it’s pleasing to see younger members of the audience there as well. Then it’s all over, we applaud as the band members gather at the front and the stage crew rush on to start breaking down the set.

I would’ve liked that to be it ending on a high but the night was spoiled by a member of the road crew. I politely asked for the set list and in response was flicked a V. Every time I’ve met the band they have been polite and respectful, they know they wouldn’t be there without our continued support. From experience I can say that they are the closest thing to Pink Floyd you are ever going to get and that takes practice and striving for perfection. Close your eyes at an Aussie Floyd gig and you’ll swear Pink Floyd is on stage.

My review score: 9