Pink Floyd Experience - Concert Review

[RuseBalaxin]

The Pink Floyd Experience

Greatest Hits & Rarities Tour
A re-telling of my very first concert experience
at the CN Centre on March 11th 2013.

Complete Set list: http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/the-pi...-1bdb5558.html

When the lights finally went down over the closing chants from the song "Fearless" a subtle tremble of synthesized keyboard vibrated through the crowd. The opening chords to "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" filled the arena and I immediately closed my eyes. Beneath the poignancy of each note, the humble waves of resolution enveloped my ears as the lead guitarist played on. Having been a Pink Floyd fan since I was little, this was a moment in time that only ever existed in my dreams.

The opening guitar rift and heavy drum line would crystallize this moment forever. The band erupted into a chorus of familiar melody and I waited for signs of rushed execution but there were none. Spotlights shifted overhead and bathed the band members in a deep yellow and red as the crowd roared their approval. My attention shifted to the screen behind the band where a hazy blue eye blinked beneath a rainbow of oozing plasma, like that of a lava lamp. The lead singer belted out each lyric with urgent necessity, sung in unison with the guitarist who refused to break his concentration. The excited faces of the fans never met his gaze. This was serious business and he was determined to get it right the first time.

Fresh billows of smoke flooded the stage floor and a white spotlight fell over the saxophone player, dulling out the other lights. The ending solo burst forth with tremendous accuracy and was a real show-stopper. Meanwhile the lead singer chugged on his bottle of water. Being the fourth song in, he certainly deserved the break.

Every light went out and darkness greeted the window-shattering whistles of praise and applause. What song was worthy enough to follow Pink Floyd's homage to original member Syd Barret? The answer would be found in the past, a time before the band's critical rise to fame. The back screen lit up first, projecting an image of the planet Saturn moving across a sea of red stars. Pairs of orange lights beamed and combed through the audience as a sharp bell chimed in. Then another, and still another, mingled with delicate piano keys. "Echoes" had arrived.

The band indeed played the full twenty-three minute set piece while scenes of space travel unfolded in the background, contrasting with the deep blue lights that washed over the arena. The only deviation was an improvised saxophone solo that replaced the shrill banshee screeching of the studio cut. Vibrant harmonies rushed back in to compliment the amazing drum section while the cheering crowd overlapped the guitarist's humble outro. All in all, a stellar performance!

Suddenly, neon green lights sprang to life, illuminating the bass player.
Up until this point he had kept himself hidden behind the band but now he stepped into the spotlight. The unmistakable sound of an opening cash register gave away the next song. Jazzy, blues-inspired bass notes and stern drum beats ushered in "Money" to a thousand screaming fans. The excitement in the arena grew to disorienting heights as the saxophone player delivered his finest effort yet which was overshadowed only by the amazing guitar solo. The lead singer tried his best to emulate David Gilmour but the guitarist and bass player stole the show from him with ease. The remainder of the first part of the concert served to calm down the audience, concluding with "High Hopes," and "Sheep" which then went to an intermission for the band.

Returning for the second half, there was a noticeable increase in speaker volume and it took my ears some time to adapt. The opening song, "Obscured By Clouds" wasn't as enjoyable as it could've been because of this. "On The Turning Away" and "Have A Cigar" were equally impressive renditions, the latter featured the lead singer at his most vocal and a cool flaming background projected from the back screen. The bass player returned to take the spotlight once more for "One of These Days" which was an amazing extended version that brought myself and the crowd back to their feet, cheering. A rainbow strobe light poured over the stage and smoke rose up around the drummer who eagerly displayed his talent here.

This song was followed quickly by the 17-minute epic, "Dogs" with the lead singer at last playing both an acoustic guitar and performing vocals just like David Gilmour. The lead guitarist also sang vocal harmonies and really played his heart out during the song's more complex sections. While the "barking" moments on "Dogs" were not quite as polished I was still very impressed by their inclusion. "Brain Damage/Eclipse" were the next set of songs played and for all intents and purposes were great to listen to but it was a bittersweet reunion for me. Dark Side of the Moon is one of my all-time favorite albums but it seemed to be largely ignored here.

After the thunderous finale of "Eclipse" the house lights came up and each member of the band was introduced and applauded. I shouted and cheered along with the rest of the audience but inside I was a little let down that key songs were missing. My displeasure quickly faded though as the house lights went out and all around me was nothing but silence and darkness.

Then the back screen sprang to life once more with the glowing image of a radio display and a white spotlight fell to the lead singer who began plucking the notes to "Wish You Were Here." The drummer, keyboardist and saxophone player motioned the entire audience to start singing, which was actually a mistake since not everyone knew the opening lyrics. Of course I sung out the words as loudly (and proudly) as I could and a moment later was greeted with other voices in the crowd until finally, the lead singer stepped in to rescue the song. Ouch!

After the main chorus came an extended saxophone solo (very cool) which actually fit the mood of this song moreso than it did on "Echoes." By this point everyone knew "Comfortably Numb" was coming up next, no Pink Floyd concert would be complete without it's blistering solos and brooding atmosphere. In a word, it was fantastic. They definitely saved the best for last and right as the song was reaching its brilliant climax, the much-discussed, flying pig emerged from the smoke and shadows lingering overhead.

Large and oddly intimidating, the plastic pig quite literately appeared out of nowhere. Guitar notes flourished again and "Run Like Hell" filled the arena while everyone pumped their arms towards this inflatable animal. Cheers and whistles scorched the air as the "pig cam" coasted around the whole place.

The band instructed the audience to start chanting the lyrics to "Another Brick
in the Wall Part 2" as it fused itself with "Run Like Hell." A strange combination
but everyone obliged this time around.

A final, lengthy applause some grand moments later signified the end of the spectacle and the house lights stayed on this time for good. I tipped my hat
to the band, took a stretch and proceeded to the exit, to return to the so-called real world... at least until the next eclipse of the moon.

* Humbly dedicated to: Syd Barret, Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Nick Mason
& Richard Wright for decades of inspirational music.

* Additionally dedicated to the entire staff at Harmonix for continuing to fuel that inspiration with their dedication to the music and video game industry.

[Blasteroids]

Interesting review, thanks. One minor thing missing... did you enjoy it?

I remember seeing AussieFloyd about 10 years ago when they first played in the UK. The theatre was only half full, but my word did they nail it. They came back on for an encore and played 2 songs. After that nobody from the audience left, everyone cheering and clapping for 10mins until they came back on and played for another 15mins.

Using a kangaroo as the top of a hammer was a nice quirky touch, but took nothing away from feel of the songs.

During the interval they played "Skippy the bush kangaroo" theme music over the amps, which was pretty funny.

Fantastic atmosphere with really good performances. I have heard that they now bring in more items, such as inflatables, to give a bigger experience and would like to go see them again.

[Skynyrd45]

I seen The Pink Floyd Experience 2 years ago in Cincinnati. I have to say, I wasn't that impressed. They were decent, but they just reminded me of a cover band with Pink Floyd graphics. I have seen Brit Floyd twice now, and they have blown me away each time. If you didn't know any better you would think it was actually Pink Floyd on stage.

[Lynxis]

Agreed about Brit Floyd.
They are as good as a cover band can possibly do.

PFX were cool, defintely go if you have nothin goin on or wanna see a rock show, but they cant hold a candle to Brit Floyd.

Love that song list you posted for PFX though, and was a good review!

Kinda confused about the complaint about the volume...

Have a beer man...

Had to edit to add: My god the saxophone player for PFX is the most talented one of the group. He was sensational.

[RuseBalaxin]

Just to clarify a few things. This was my first rock concert, ever.
When the second act started up, their voices and overall sound were amplified something fierce. My ears are hyper-sensitive to certain tones which is why
I've never been to a concert in the first place. I would LOVE to have bought
a beer but I needed the money to get home, lol

Aussie & Brit Floyd both sound like amazing tribute bands compared to the PFX, I know David Gilmour had one of them play at his most recent birthday party which speaks volumes of the talent involved. However, I live in a small mountain town and we rarely get any decent rock acts up here, so I was super-excited for The PFX, even purchased my ticket three months prior to the event.

The show that the PFX put on was so much better than I was expecting it to be, which is why my review was descriptive because this was all new and very exciting. Was it perfect? Not by any means, the intro to certain songs were shortened and there were no lasers or explosions at the end but they at least had the flying pig, so I was happy.

Lastly, I would like to express my personal thanks to each and every one
of you for commenting. I understand my review is a long wall of text but
I appreciate everyone's feedback so much and for sharing your thoughts on the matter. If any place online would appreciate this review, it was definitely here at Rockband.com!

[gamrrpol]

This is more a "description" than a "review". Despite that enormous wall of text I honestly don't know....was the band any good? Did you enjoy the show?

[RuseBalaxin]

Oh man... and here I thought I had written a really good review but as it's been pointed out, this is more of a description of the events. I really did enjoy the concert, the band put their best effort forward and all the songs were absolutely spot-on. I have no complaints about the performance or the music.

Where the silver lining fades is in the venue itself. Seats were uncomfortable,
not a lot of people showed up and because of the drinking involved there were
a few rowdy guests in some rows. I would definitely go and see this band again, just not at the same arena. Hope this clears up my "review."

[Buzzkill_1970]

I seen both the Pink Floyd Experience and more recently Brit Floyd. Both excellent cover bands. I thought that Brit Floyd played with, ahem altered ever so slightly, the music of Pink Floyd. I'm not a musician, so I'm not quite sure how to describe it. Maybe to say that they made deliberate yet subtle changes to the music. Excessive bass and the "so-called" background vocals being much more prominent stood out to me.

Both excellent bands, I'd say that Brit had the better light/stage show but never really strayed from the mainstream Floyd tunes. I go see either of them again in a heartbeat. AAMOF, I can't think of a Floyd cover band that I didn't like.