Sometimes we all just have to accept that our dream tours or concerts aren’t going to happen. They are just a dream, wish, or fantasy. In the case of Pink Floyd, it’s almost certain we won’t see the remaining three members unite on stage. I doubt we’d even see them agree on having a chat never mind a serious comeback. And of course, Rick Wright’s passing in 2008 means the top lineup of the group has long gone.
Perhaps, though, we have to settle for the next best thing. Now, in general, I’m not a huge fan of tribute bands. They can be fun for an hour or so in a bar or pub. But it’s quite a different thing to book tickets for a major show by one. When it comes to Pink Floyd, though, maybe that's the only real answer.
It might also be somewhat harsh to label the likes of the Aussie Pink Floyd or Brit Floyd as tribute bands. They’ve probably played more Floyd gigs now than the band ever did. They both have accomplished musicians and create great and authentic sounds.
A Pink Floyd experience tour featuring Brit Floyd and Alan Parsons
So if you want to grab an experience of what Pink Floyd was like live, this year could be the time for you with a new tour from Brit Floyd. The band will be celebrating 50 years of Wish You Were Here. since its 1975 release.
Dates have just been announced for the UK and US, with five nights from those US dates in July looking very special indeed. The band is doubling up with the legendary Alan Parsons for those special events as a double header bill.
Parsons has, of course, worked on and produced many great songs and albums in addition to his own music. Perhaps most significantly in this scenario, he was the sound engineer for The Dark Side of The Moon. Although he declined to repeat that on the Floyd follow-up Wish You Were Here to work on The Alan Parsons Project, he and Brit Floyd should make a superb double bill.
As an added bonus, Brit Floyd will feature two members of Roger Waters' own band. They will have drummer Graham Broad and on keyboards, Harry Waters, son of Roger, for 20 of the US shows. That gives a unique connection back to the original band.
The band is expected to play a two-and-a-half-hour show, covering the Wish You Were Here album fully and, of course, featuring other great tracks from the original band. An amazing light show with lasers and other eye-catching features on the night will add to the whole event. This is going to be much more than a basic tribute band and it could be the best opportunity for many to experience it.