April 15 2016 – We embarked on an unknown journey 7 years ago when the new Pink Floyd tribute band hit Toronto for the first time ever. We reviewed Brit Floyd (read that review here for a flashback) at that time and our conclusion for the show was:
Verdict 5 out of 5: Pink Floyd’s timeless masterpieces presented in a barrage of sight and sound that would make Misters Waters, Gilmour, Mason, Wright (and Barrett) proud of their legacy.
Since 2012 we have seen Brit Floyd countless times and have interviewed many of their past and current members including former Guitarist Bobby Harrison (read here), Guitarist Edo Scordo (read here), Bassist/Singer Ian Cattell (read here), Singer Eva Avila (read here), and musical director and Guitarist/Vocalist Damian Darlington (read here). We have a mission to interview all members of the band every time they pass by Toronto and thanks to the band’s world class PR man Andy Kettle we will make that happen.
On April 5th 2019 Brit Floyd invaded the familiar Sony Center for the last time as the venue will be named something else in the next couple of weeks. This particular tour was named 40 Years Of The Wall and as one would expect the Pink Floyd double concept album was in the spotlight. A majority of the album was presented including all of side 4 of the album as the encore. The deep dive in to the album beyond the trifecta of Hey You, Comfortably Numb and Another Brick In The Wall Part 2, was very appreciated by the Floyd faithful in attendance tonight. Brit Floyd performed 29 songs tonight and 18 of them were in fact from The Wall.
Aside from covering the Wall extensively the band delivered stunning performances from The Dark Side Of The Moon including Time, Us and Them and a standing ovation emotional performance by Eva Avila of The Great Gig In The Sky (worth the price of admission on its own).
Post Roger Waters era songs included The Division Bell’s Keep Talking and A Momentary Lapse Of Reason’s Yet Another Movie and On The Turning Away. Going back to older materiel Meddle was there in the form of One Of These Days and Fearless as was the band’s golden era with Sheep from Animals as well as Shine on You Crazy Diamond and Wish You Were Here from the album of the same name.
The Sony Center was packed to the rafters and we know for a fact that original Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason will be playing the same venue 11 days later and has not sold as many tickets as Brit Floyd. This is the power of the word of mouth because neither shows have been heavily marketed in Toronto’s rock radio stations, it is obvious that more people were aware to see a tribute band than one of the 3 living Pink Floyd members.
Brit Floyd’s Edo Scordo (guitars/vocals), Ian Cattell (bass/vocals) and Damian Darlington (guitars/vocals) own the front of the stage with majesty, professionalism and unbelievable enthusiasm. Joining them are Matt Riddle on keyboards, Ryan Saranich on sax (and a bunch of other things) and Arran Ahmun on drums. Having played over 1000 times, the band is an incredibly fine tuned musical machine that brings the emotion of Pink Floyd across the globe.
Brit Floyd is an absolute must see show and easily our most recommended Pink Floyd related tribute show on the road these days. We wrote it once and since they have only gotten better since then, we will borrow our own words for our conclusion for Brit Floyd Toronto 2019:
Verdict 5 out of 5: Pink Floyd’s timeless masterpieces presented in a barrage of sight and sound that would make Misters Waters, Gilmour, Mason, Wright (and Barrett) proud of their legacy.
A best of T-Mak World show!
That’s Ella Chi on B.V. Not Emily Jolland. I’m on Keys (Matt Riddle), Ryan Saranich on sax (and a bunch of other things) and Arran Ahmun on drums.
Thanks Matt! Updated
Saw them April 23rd in Savannah Ga.It was spectacular.I will go again if they come relatively close.Had a friend say. “I have to keep telling my self this isn’t actually Pink Floyd..