"I can't explain, you would not understand, this is not how I am. I have become comfortably numb."
It really is a strange place to be; amongst all the dry ice and lasers, listening to some of the most iconic songs of the '70's and '80's, yet not by the band who wrote them. The Manchester Apollo is filled with middle-aged men and the smell of stale fags, Blue Stratos and beer. Barring some kids (or maybe even grandkids) of one fan who have come along, Mrs D and myself are the youngest in attendance. But there is something truly magical about the music of Pink Floyd – like going to watch a musical, or rock opera – that it really doesn't matter that you're not 'actually' listening to the real thing. Especially as this is their 'Best of The Wall tour', with mainly highlights from Pink Floyds' spectacular concept album/Rock Opera. Really, 'Aussie Floyd' have made a name for themselves as one of – if not 'the' – best Pink Floyd tribute acts around, and they really can deliver the goods. Dave Gilmour once watched them perform in 1994, during his Division Bell tour, and invited them to play at his 50th birthday two years later – how's about that for approval. There is also rumour that he told one of the members of 'Aussie Floyd' that they actually sounded better than the real Pink Floyd ever did, the difference being that they actually rehearsed and his band never did. But the real fun comes from how they have really made the show their own. From the delivery of the music, to the use of their own inflatable pink kangaroo, the show is filled with humorous 'Australian-isms' from start to finish.
Perhaps one of the most impressive features of the show is the recreated stage set up from Pink Floyds own Division Bell tour of 1994, with a giant hemispherical screen and a circular screen in the centre, surrounded by robotic lighting rigs. A friend before the gig told me, "they're just like the real thing... If you close your eyes", and surely this is true, as Pink Floyd were famous for their royalties burning stage shows that left the band stony broke. But I must say, they did put in a convincing second best – at least, as good as you're going to get in The Manchester Apollo. The screen at the back played recreated animation from The Wall and other eras throughout the show, complete with schoolteacher-mincing children and walking Nazi hammers. The real twist being that slight elements have been changed, with the Nazi hammers having leaping kangaroos for heads. The band aren't even that shy of a few theatrics, with the 'Roger Waters-ish' singer Ian Cattell, appearing on stage sat in an armchair with a lamp watching TV for a rendition of 'Noboy Home'.
And the music... Excellent! There are very few that can play like Pink Floyd, but the Australian Pink Floyd do a fanominal job. Early in the show they perform 'Another brick in the wall part 1', 'Happiest days of our lives', and 'Another brick in the wall part 2', all together and the effect is amazing. I'm not ashamed to admit the hairs on the back of my neck did rise – credit were credit's due. They continued to hammer out some fantastic songs, including the first five parts of 'Shine on you crazy diamond', complete with an image of Syd Barratt at the back of the stage – and the audience erupts into applause. And there's more to come... The treats continue with renditions of some classics from 'Dark side of the Moon', with 'Great gig in the sky' actually getting a standing ovation for it's two singers - it still reminds me of a pain killer advert, but it is a class song. Some more classics from 'The Wall': 'Goodbye bluesky', 'Mother' and 'In the Flesh?'. As well as some finely played crowd pleasers like 'Wish you were here' and 'Money'. And it all seemed to go note perfect. There are very few that can play guitar like Dave Gilmour, but Damian Darlington put in a perfect turn - even if he does look like Bill Bailey There were some omissions that disappointed me, namely no 'Brain Damage/Eclipse' which I was really looking forward to - and expecting. But I took comfort in a fantastic display of 'Comfortably Numb' - the forth time I've heard this song played live, but still not actually by Pink Floyd. After which, a lot of the crowd seemed to have had enough - perhaps too late for them, too loud or just plain boredom - most of the crowd mooched off to climb into their dressing gowns and cradle a Horlicks. Then the band returned for a encore of 'Run like Hell'. All-in-all, a real treat for any Pink Floyd fan who pines for the real thing. If you do, I recommend seeing The Australian Pink Floyd at least once. They may not be the real thing - and I'm sure (although I've never seen them myself) that there really is no substitution - but they are really, really good, and it is good to hear great songs played well.
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The Australian Pink Floyd - Manchester Apollo 06/04/2008
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