Brit Floyd – November 4, 2017 - Review

The years melted away as the audience of middle aged rockers (with a smattering of next generation fans in training ) relived their teenage years. The almost sold-out audience was fully captivated and mesmerized from the outset as Brit Floyd opened with the sound of a beating heart, followed by mellow guitar, then keyboard, drums and bass; each successive instrument building into a powerful Floydian medley. Brit Floyd, the phenomenal U.K. based Pink Floyd cover band took us through the 70s, 80s and 90’s with select tracks from all of the most popular albums as well as some of the very early (1967) material and lesser known selections. The audience response effectively mirrored the quality and
authenticity of the experience right down to each bell tone, clock chime and cash register Ka-ching.

The first note or two of any given song was all it took to elicit cheers and whistles of recognition from the enthusiastic crowd. If the overall response was any indication then the show was indeed spectacular. The experience was further invoked with chest-pounding bass and the vocalists’ harmonic and brilliant imitation of Gilmour’s gruff voice. Favourites included “Money”, “Wish You Were Here”, “Division Bell” and “Another Brick in the Wall” which had the entire audience singing the chorus with the band encouragement It was apparent that many in the audience are devoted fans of not only Pink Floyd but of Brit Floyd itself. The intimacy of The Great Hall of The First Ontario Centre (formerly Hamilton Place) enhanced the power and richness of “Us and Them”, while “Animals” drew out the greatest enthusiasm from the crowd.

The stage production was reminiscent of the live shows of the 80’s as well as later live performances by Pink Floyd and more recently, David Gilmour’s “Live in Pompeii” with the laser light show rivalling the best of Floyd, Rush and Genesis combined. The video imagery fell into place with each successive song and helped to tell each particular story expressed in the lyrics. “Spectacular” would be the one word to describe every aspect of this Brit Floyd Immersion Tour experience.

The second set opened with lesser known selections and therefore a more muted audience response. The bass also seemed to be stronger than it had been earlier. However, “Time” brought the audience back to full participation from the moment the first clock chimed. The haunting pitch perfect female solo that carries “The Great Gig in the Sky” brought the audience to its feet with rapturous well-deserved applause. The remainder of the show continued to build, reaching its climax with “Comfortably Numb”, complete with multi-coloured lasers and the lowering of a mirror ball to explode the light throughout the venue. The two concluding songs once again brought the audience to its feet for a rousing final ovation. To their enormous credit the band made themselves available for autographs immediately following the show, rounding out what can only be described as a fabulous night in Downtown Hamilton.

Carol Shimmin &
Bob Van de Vrande

for The Hamiltonian