Brit Floyd


Here I am continuing on my nostalgia trail and, following on from, the previous evenings hard rock blast with Uriah Heep and friends, we were out again.

Two nights on the trot is considered to be hard partying at my age.

And so, Friday night found us sitting, with eager anticipation, in Portsmouth Guildhall. We were there to see Brit Floyd, a Pink Floyd tribute band.

Gerry and I had been to see Pink Floyd back in February of 1972 at the Colston Hall, Bristol, when they, Floyd, were on their Dark Side of The Moon tour with complete quadrophonic sound system. The audio and visual show back then was stunning. So we were wondering if Brit Floyd were going to be up to snuff.

Well we needn’t have worried.Brit Floyd hit the stage running and never slowed down.

The sound was spot on and, dare I say it, they were note perfect.

They were on stage for around two hours and thirty minutes. Performing numbers from many Floyd albums. Including Meddle, Dark Side Of The Moon, Animals, The Wall, The Division Bell, and Wish You Were Here.

The central theme for this evenings show was to celebrate the 50th anniversary of “Wish You Were Here” which they played in its entirety.

The entire show was stunning. The quality of the sound system was second to none, the laser light show was fabulous. The projected imagery was spot on, some of it was the original Floyd material but had been updated to include some of the current political figures.

Rockin at The De La Warr Pavillion


Back in 1970, when I was just eighteen years of age, a fledgling english rock band called Uriah Heep released their first studio album. That album ” … Very ‘Eavy ….. Very ‘Umble”, struck a chord with me and probably set the foundation of my musical tastes.

Over the years I saw the Heep live, several times, bought many of their albums and still listen to them regularly.

So imagine my delight when I found that they were touring…

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So tickets purchased I waited with anticipation. Of course there were some concerns. After so many years, most of the original band members have passed on. Would the current line up sound anything like the band that I followed.

And so, last Thursday, I arrived at the De La Warr Pavillion, Bexhill. Before I could answer the Uriah Heep questions I was going to be entertained by two support acts.

The first to perform was Tyketto, a band from New York, USA. Having never heard of them I assumed they were a relatively new band. How wrong could I be. They have been around since 1987!!!

Tyketto

They gave a very good account of themselves and were well received by me and the rest of the audience.

Following Tyketto, the next act very quickly set up their kit. They were April Wine and had also passed below my rock radar. Also not a new band, having formed in 1969, in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

April Wine

Although categorised, like Tyketto, as Hard Rock, their style is very different and dare I say it, more complex. Once again their reception was very positive.

But then it was time for the main event, the reason most of us were there.

After a surprisingly short time, the support bands kit was cleared away and the stage was set for Uriah Heep.

Also, like April Wine, Uriah Heep formed in 1969. Fifty six years entertaining their fans.

Uriah Heep

In that time they have produced some 25 studio albums, 20 live albums, many compilation albums and singles.

Uriah Heep

Their sound is very much as I remember although the current lead singer Bernie Shaw has a different sound to David Byron who fronted the band back in the day.

Uriah Heep

There is no doubt he has the stage presence and the voice needed to front Uriah Heep

Uriah Heep

Of course they did all the favourites as well as some newer songs. For me the highlight was to see and hear the lead guitarist, Mick Box, perform his unique magic.

Mick Box – Uriah Heep

Mick Box is the last surviving, original band member.

Uriah Heep

All too soon the show came to an end. This show was the final one of their UK tour.