Band:
Australian Pink Floyd Venue:
Newcastle City Hall, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK Date:
26 October 2001
Another City Hall gig. Another "downstairs only" set-up. Another opening
of "Shine on..." inevitably.
Several "interesting smells" floating about - you can tell the cannabis
laws have changed!
"Astronomie Dominie" followed with a light-show straight from 1967 (loads
of strobes and kaleidoscope effects). The songs that followed all stuck
accurately to the studio sound of the real Pink Floyd - apart from the
vocals of what seems to be a new bass player who can't hit the high notes
of "Shine on".
All too soon the first half was over and it was time for a quick beer.
After regaining our seats (or someone’s seats - we’d been told to "sit
anywhere" by the staff) I heard the opening "plinks" of "Echoes". And yes
they did play that very song (well, an "edited" 25-minute version anyway)
accompanied by an excellent bubble-machine effect which had everyone
mesmerised.
Shame really that they spoiled it next with something relatively modern in
"Learning to Fly". Fortunately, the slide guitar came out and we were
treated to "High Hopes" and naturally "One of These Days".
One thing I had noticed throughout the gig, however, was the lack of
decibels. Last time I had seen them, the whole place was rumbling, this
time it was merely vibrating! However, the light-show sort-of made up for
it.
The band have now recruited Pink Floyd’s original lighting crew - nice one
guys! Right on cue during "Comfortably Numb" they raised a rather large
glitter-ball from behind the on-stage amps and shone bright white
spot-lamps on it (and a few coloured ones on later) much to everyone’s
delight.
"Wish You Were Here" was amusingly preceded by some Australian TV and
radio tuning and the whole event was closed - as usual - by "Run Like
Hell"
Lighting crew 10/10. Sound Crew 6/10 - must do better (turn it up to 11
next time!) and do you really need to play four songs which are over 15
minutes long when you only have 2 hours?
Part 1
Shine on You Crazy Diamond
Astonomie Dominie
Time
Welcome to the Machine
Hey You
Dogs
Part 2
Echoes
Learning to Fly
High Hopes
One of These Days
The Happiest Days of Our Lives
Another Brick in the Wall Part II
Mother
Comfortably Numb
