David Gilmour – Luck and Strange Tour – Dress Rehearsal

 David Gilmour is about to embark on his first tour for 8 years in support of his new, and in my opinion fabulous album Luck and Strange. Little more than a week ago he announced two dress rehearsal performances at the Brighton Centre, with 1500 tickets available for each show. Despite carrying recent bruises from failed attempts to get Oasis tickets through Ticketmaster, for these shows I was lucky enough to get tickets for the 2^nd performance.

BRIGHTON CENTRE 21 SEPTEMBER 2024

Initially wondering what a rehearsal would mean – would it be a limited number of songs; would it be stop/start – it was clear when the timings were announced that it would be a full show. Two sets of 75 minutes with an interval. We were going to be treated to 2 ½ hours of Davids sublime guitar playing.

Arriving at the venue, two things became apparent. Firstly a 5000 capacity venue had been limited to 1500 because it was seated only, with the entire floor area reserved for the crew. Indeed, the empty space between the mixing desks and the stage was very reminiscent of the original Pink Floyd at Pompei set up. Secondly, this might have been billed as “just a rehearsal” but there was a full set up of all the gear necessary for an arena show. Indeed, as the performance progressed, we has a full light show including lasers, overhead spots and even the trademark Pink Floyd style circular screen.

David Gilmour Luck and Strange Tour

Knowing it was a rehearsal and watching band members interact made one aware of the humanity of musicians working together to make a show happen, much more so than in a polished and more distant arena or stadium show. As an introduction, bassist Guy Pratt did warn us that because it was a rehearsal they may have to stop and restart. But they didn’t have to do that – the show flowed from start to finish. And it looked like David and the whole band were really enjoying themselves.

This was an arena performance in a small venue. And from beginning to end was absolutely stunning. A superb, well thought out set list that ebbed and flowed. Excellent sound quality and a very well balanced mix amongst the 10 musicians that appeared on stage. All in support of the fantastic sound of David’s playing, which was as good as ever. I was particularly impressed with the drumming and the energy Guy Pratt on bass brought to the band – I suspect he is a vital part of making the whole thing gel.

David and his band’s music touched my soul

I go to many gigs. I usually enjoy them, but they don’t always move me. At this show I was totally moved. David and his band’s music touched my soul. From the haunting opening note of 5 am, starting the show as with the Rattle that Lock tour, to the closing solo of Comfortably Numb, with so many highlights in between. I won’t give away the set list prior to the tour starting, but will mention as highlights the solo to Fat Old Sun, when David , Guy and guitar “apprentice” Ben Worsley looked to be having a great jam together , and Between Two Points from the new album , beautifully sung by David’s daughter , Romany. And the song Scattered, ending the main set, with a guitar solo up there with David’s best. Definitely guitar playing to reach deep into the emotions.

A show full of joy but also melancholic. The passing of time is very much a theme in the Luck and Strange album, with David’s wife Polly as principal lyricist. In the song Scattered: “Time is a tide that disobeys. And it disobeys me. It never ends”. And watching 78 year old David play the same solo from Dark Side I saw him play when he was 28 years old, 50 years ago made me so aware of the passing of time. With a degree of sadness, but also joy at still being able to watch the maestro play and know that he is still writing wonderful new music.

I left Brighton buzzing at what I had seen and heard, grateful for the privilege of seeing this rehearsal, and looking forward to finding out how it transitions to the main tour. If you get to see it, be prepared to be blown away.

Paul Allen 

24 September 2024