Opening with ‘Shine on You Crazy Diamond’, we are treated to a steady introduction to the show, led in by the Keyboards played by Rick Benbow, joined by Bass, Guitars, and Vocals until last but by no means least, backing vocalist Jo Paterson-Neild subtly brings out two saxophones (I am assuming a Baritone and an Alto) for the eponymous saxophone solo, switching between them in an excellent showpiece that sets the stage for the rest of the performance.
This is not the only less frequently seen instrument to grace the stage. In the appropriate places, we are treated to Lap Steel guitar and 12-string guitar played by Mike Bollard and Roto Toms on the drum kit played by Francesco Borrelli, all of which are iconic elements of the original songs. It would have been nice to get the actual bell on ‘High Hopes’ rather than the electronic-sounding audio clip but it’s one of my favourite Pink Floyd songs so I may be biased.
This is a band that clearly takes their commitment to the sound of Pink Floyd seriously. The reproduction of guitar tones, particularly on Paul Andrews’s lead work is exceptional and the balance of each element is finely crafted. The overall audible experience gives the positive impression of a long period of careful development and attention to detail.
Vocally things are a bit more hit-and-miss. Every band member except the drummer has a microphone for the depth of harmonies that build the songs to the anthemic levels they were designed to be and there’s a lot of good vocals within the group. The highlight of the vocal performance for me is ‘Great Gig in the Sky’ sung by Emma Street, but some of the lead vocals are lacking the range and emotion that Dave Gilmour was known for. They’re competent and do the job but in a lineup that offers so much in other areas, it’s a noticeable element that’s just a bit below the standard set by the rest of the group.
The performance itself is quite true to the original. Pink Floyd were never a band that jumped around and were more famous for their light show and technological showpieces and UKPFE are similar in this regard. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Rick Benbow really grooving along to some of the songs and the connection and passion for Pink Floyd’s material really came through in David Power and Mike Bollard’s performances as well.
The light show (by Stu Hunt) is finely crafted and has some exceptional moments, particularly during ‘Comfortably Numb’, the band’s perhaps somewhat predictable last song, where the lighting fully spilled out into the auditorium and made a beautifully immersive showpiece that would rival a lot of bands on the scene.
As it’s the 30-year anniversary of the Division Bell album, we were treated to an extended range of songs from this record before steadily ticking off many of the Greatest Hits including, ‘Money’, ‘Us and Them’, ‘Time’, ‘Wish You Were Here’ and ‘Another Brick In The Wall’.
For fans of Pink Floyd the UK Pink Floyd Experience have a lot to offer and as they bring less frequently played songs from the Pink Floyd back catalogue to bear like ‘Sheep’ and ‘Brain Damage’, the show certainly feels more like a true celebration of Pink Floyd than just a Best Of.
UK Pink Floyd Experience are touring extensively around the UK and Europe with performances booked to the end of 2025. No current London dates but they report to have been asked to return to the Dominion Theatre next year.
Review: Damien Russell