Brit Floyd Review

Brit Floyd
Immersion World Tour
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend-on-Sea
4th March 2017

"Brit Floyd are the real deal!"
says our Reviewer, James Harrington

Let me start by saying I am a moderate Pink Floyd fan, who would have had to seriously think about paying £40 to see a tribute band. My connotations of tribute bands do not include auditoriums that can fit 1600 people, so I thought this might be a higher level than other similar acts that I had seen. I was right, as this was unlike any other tribute band that I have seen.

It was a fully seated concert, which does tend to inhibit the atmosphere, but seeming as the average age was about 65, this was probably for the best. Pink Floyd were at the height of their powers in the 1970s, so it made sense the audience was going to be getting on a bit!

Slightly subdued atmosphere aside, the show itself had plenty going for it, visually as well as sonically. A huge circular, eye like screen at the back of the stage showed a huge array of images, all relevant to whatever song was playing. This also showed album covers, and told you the year of that album, at the beginning of each song, just in case you were in any doubt about what era that particular number was from.

Credit must go to the band's media director: Bryan Kolupski, who has provided a visual feast on the screen at the back of the stage, complete with recent news images, including one of a certain controversial U.S. president, holding hands with the P.M., which aroused a few mirthful chuckles.

Then there was a very impressive light show, complete with lasers, and an array of blinding colours that added to the psychedelic quality that the band embodied in the late 60's. It was a feast for the eyes. Speaking of eyes, there was some candy for them in the form of three very talented backing singers: Jacquie Williams, Emily Jollands and the lovely Angela Cervantes, whose gorgeous solo during The Great Gig in the Sky added a touch of class and authenticity to the evening.

Jacquie Wiliams

Emily Jollands

Angela Cervantes

This leads me on to the musicianship which was, as you would expect, flawless. Damian Darlington, the group's 'musical director' has a title which oozes pretension, but after seeing the show, and having some idea of just how technical and multi layered Pink Floyd's music is, this is an appropriate term to describe his role.

He is however, just one of nine, including a one man brass section in the form of Ryan Saranich, who appeared at regular intervals for the more jazzy numbers.

Damian Darlington

By the end of the evening, which lasted from 8pm to 11pm, including a 20 minute break, the crowd had rolled back the years and were on their feet in a massive ovation, which was richly deserved. Make no mistake, this is as close to the real thing as you could get, and a very slick, competent rendition of some of the best music of the last 40 years. It has certainly reignited my interest and appreciation of this great British band. Brit Floyd are the real deal.

All photo credits for the Southend Cliffs Pavilion show: Stephen Hawke