You know it’s the build up to Christmas when the gift that is The Australian Pink Floyd Show (TAPFS) roll into Bournemouth’s Windsor Hall.
TAPFS, more colloquially known as Aussie Floyd, are here to deliver the ultimate in Pink Floyd experience with their note for note perfect rendition of Floyd’s extensive back catalogue, recreating the sounds and sights of the later of Floyd’s live shows.
The band has evolved over the 35 years of their existence and now, despite their name, feature musicians from UK, France, USA as well as Australia which reflects their international status as the most revered of tribute acts.
Having said that they are not your usual tribute show as there is no wigs and makeup or desire to look like Pink Floyd members – the tribute is the music.
The show features all that one would expect from a Floyd concert, crystal clear sound, large LED video screen, incredible laser and light show and of course gargantuan inflatables.
The opening couple of numbers from the Obscured by Clouds album set the scene for the next couple of hours and have the sold-out Windsor Hall audience mesmerised and bursting with anticipation.
Next a trip into The Dark Side of The Moon album saw most of the album performed with The Great Gig in The Sky providing opportunity for the backing singers to take turn and show off their vocal dexterity and Money doing the same for the saxophonist.
Each solo performance receiving a rapturous applause from the appreciative crowd.
The night’s first sojourn into The Wall ended the first half of the show with Parts 1 and 2 of Another Brick In The Wall and a great photo opportunity as the first 30 foot inflatable made an appearance – The Teacher waggling his cane, jigging up and down and staring menacingly into the audience. He remained during the interval daring anyone to be late back to their seat.
The interval gave us all chance to reset our senses for the onslaught of the second half which opened with Floyd’s first ever single Arnold Layne which was penned by Syd Barrett closely followed the tribute to him, Shine On You Crazy Diamond and then probably most fans favourite track Wish You Were Here which every man and his dog sang along to.
A couple of tracks from The Division Bell album, Marooned and Take It Back led to the crescendo of light and sound of the closing numbers, Pigs (Three Different Ones), One of These Days and Run Like Hell.
Understandably an Australian theme ran through the evening with Australia shaped prisms, many kangaroo refences and a montage of Australian artistes and sports shown on the iconic circular video screen, culminating in the infamous vicious looking 30 foot inflatable pink kangaroo (Skippy) during One of These Days - another great photo opportunity.
There was no way we weren’t going to get an encore and sure enough the crowd pleaser Comfortably Numb provided a perfect end to the night and the vehicle for one of the most famous guitar solos across any genre.
An evening of sublime musicianship and entertainment, Aussie Floyd are at the top of their game and Pink Floyd fan or not, young or old, this is a show not to be missed.
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