Concerts: Brit Floyd presents PULSE 2013 @ Symphony Hall, Birmingham, UK 10/11/2013 - Sea of Tranquility - The Web Destination for Progressive Music!

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Brit Floyd presents PULSE 2013 @ Symphony Hall, Birmingham, UK 10/11/2013

Posted on Monday, November 11 2013 @ 04:34:38 CST by Dean Pedley

Since their first show back in January 2011 Brit Floyd now enjoy the status of being one of two much acclaimed Pink Floyd tribute bands that annually tour the UK and Europe to cross generational audiences numbering in their thousands. Inspired by The Division Bell tour of 1994 the current show, which runs to three hours, includes a performance of five full album sides following the original vinyl releases.

There is a professionalism and opulence to the Brit Floyd experience that ensures the end result offers a close facsimile of the Gilmour led Floyd tours, not just in the film, graphics, lasers and other special effects but also the fully expanded line-up complete with trio of female backing vocalists. The video displays a hand flicking through a rack of Floyd vinyl, considering several options before settling for The Wall. 'In the Flesh?' offers the suitably dramatic opening as they move through first side of the album that climaxes with a stirring 'Mother'. Wish You Were Here comes next and 'Shine On…' is glorious in its execution and segues into the mechanical pulse of 'Welcome to the Machine', the various members offering close interpretations of the voices of Waters, Gilmour and Wright. Teasing us with glimpses of Meddle the hand opts for Dark Side…, 'Brain Damage' and 'Eclipse' updated to include twenty first century leaders and politicians alongside their 60's and 70's counterparts.

The second half opens with the Animals material and it could be argued here that the band miss an opportunity. That is, leave the auxiliary members back stage and tear through a raw and powerful 'Dogs' as a five piece much in the way the original Floyd did back in 1977. A minor quibble, perhaps, but one which would have certainly made the die-hards sit up. The set proceeds from 'Dogs' into the U2-lite strains of 'Take It Back', surely a contender for Floyd's worst ever song. After The Division Bell material (omitting 'Lost for Words') the rest of the set is made up of the best known numbers not yet played. 'The Great Gig in the Sky' always provides an emotional high point and with the bass driven psychedelic throb of 'One of these Days' they offer the only glimpse into the Floyd's pre-platinum years before the inevitable over the top climax of 'Comfortably Numb' and 'Run Like Hell'.

With a show such as this note perfect renditions of Floyd staples are guaranteed and Brit Floyd certainly cater to the masses without ever seeming likely to take a risk and throw in, say, 'Interstellar Overdrive' or 'Fat Old Sun' which would no doubt leave many looking perplexed. But as the legend and legacy of Pink Floyd increases with each passing year the demand for this type of presentation looks set to become even greater.

In The Flesh?
The Thin Ice
Another Brick In The Wall (part I)
The Happiest Days Of Our Lives
Another Brick In The Wall (part II)
Mother
Shine On You Crazy Diamond (I-V)
Welcome To The Machine
Money
Us And Them
Any Colour You Like
Brain Damage
Eclipse

Pigs On The Wing (part I)
Dogs
Take It Back
Coming Back To Life
Keep Talking
High Hopes
Time / Breathe (reprise)
The Great Gig In The Sky
Wish You Were Here
One Of These Days
Comfortably Numb
Run Like Hell

Review by Dean Pedley