By 1981, the Roger Waters-led lineup of Pink Floyd began to disintegrate. There would be no more live Floyd for six years until guitarist David Gilmour and drummer Nick Mason toured to promote 1987 album A Momentary Lapse of Reason and invited original keyboardist Richard Wright along. They brought props from previous tours such as a huge inflatable pig and a circular projection screen that made stadium shows enjoyable from the farthest seats, elements that became crucial to the stage production developed by The Australian Pink Floyd Show.
Devoted Pink Floyd fans had long been known for ticking away the moments that make up a dull day as they waited between albums, tours and reunions. TAPFS began filling in those gaps in 1988 when the band formed in Adelaide, South Australia, as Think Floyd. Since then, after a name change, the seminal tribute band boasts 5 million tickets sold in 35 countries. They’ve earned the seal of approval of Gilmour himself.
The current North American tour kicks off with the performing of Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon in its entirety, in observation of the classic concept album’s 50th anniversary. Back in the day, teenagers attended “cosmic concerts” at science centers at planetariums where the most in-demand soundtrack was the 1973 exploration of time, money and lunatics.
Now those kids are grown up and can get the full experience, albeit without Gilmour and company. For most concertgoers, Mason, Waters and Wright were small figures on the stage in concert, eventually being obscured by the titular design element of The Wall Tour. Not having to inhabit personas allows TAPFS to focus on playing the music to pristine perfection.
That was the plan from the get-go when founding members Steve Mac (guitars) and Jason Sawford (keyboards) answered an ad that read “Vocalist and keyboardist required for band. Professional attitude expected. We only play Pink Floyd.” The late ’80s was the dawn of tribute bands after the industry was established by Elvis and Beatles impersonators. Classic rock tribute bands became legion. The Australian Pink Floyd Show outlasted them all and has itself become an institution, complete with inflatable kangaroo. Don’t miss the starting gun.
Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, 8 p.m. Aug. 18, starting at $59 plus tax and fee. axs.com
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