Madison Square Garden Lights Up: David Gilmour’s Spectacular NYC Concert Review

Nov 08, 2024

It’s hard to believe that with such a long & illustrious career with both Pink Floyd & as a solo artist for 50 plus years, in 2024 David Gilmour released just his fifth solo album, “Luck and Strange”. Adorning the concert halls for the first time in what seems like an eternity (his last tour was in 2016), David now at age 78 opted to only play select cities around the world for a limited run of concerts. Having already performed 16 shows in Rome, London & Los Angeles in Sep & Oct, the iconic Guitarist & Vocalist & his magnificent Band end this album promotional run in New York City, performing five Nov sold out concerts at the world-famous Madison Square Garden.

The second show of this NYC run by happenstance took place on US Election Day 2024, & hitting this gig was the ideal healthy escape from the anticipation & tensions of what was about to unfold in our Country. And unlike his outspoken former bandmate Roger Waters, who would have likely had too much to say about the Presidential candidates, the ever classy & subdued David Gilmour simply commented to the audience that he was so pleased that NYC was in such a peaceful state on such an illustrious day (he even thanked us for choosing to be here instead). Adding to the uniqueness of the event, long-time Bassist & right-hand man of David, Guy Pratt, took to the stage right before the lights went down & encouraged the fans to limit watching the concert through a 3” screen, & to simply enjoy this rare event by staying “present” (but if you did choose to shoot video, please respect your fellow fans & the Band by taking off the flash).

Backed by a refreshed touring Band that included an infusion of youthful musicians, many of who played on the new album (Rob Gentry, Adam Betts, Ben Worsley, Greg Phillinganes) plus a quartet of female backing singers, one being Romany Gilmour (daughter of David), two sets of music were presented to the attentive & focused crowd. In addition to performing a majority of the “Luck and Strange” album & some tracks from the “Rattle That Lock” solo album, there were an abundance of Pink Floyd songs in the set. The songs themselves of course were complemented by the imagery presented on the enormous behind the stage screen, a staple made famous by Pink Floyd, & of course there were lots & lots of lasers illuminating the full arena.

Set 1 included several 1970s classic Pink Floyd radio staples (“Breathe”, “Time”, “Wish You Were Here”), the rare “Fat Old Sun” from the 1970 “Atomic Heart Mother” album, & “The Division Bell” instrumental deep track “Marooned”, however the highlight was “Between Two Points” that featured David’s daughter Romany on Lead Vocals. A moody, tense & somber song that features some amazing guitar work on the back end, it was hard not to get goosebumps witnessing Father & Child locked eye to eye on this beautiful piece.

Set 2 opened with the heavy, groovy & chord filled “Sorrow”, but also contained the harmonious & subdued “A Great Day For Freedom”, & the melodic, catchy & uplifting “Coming Back To Life” a track he dedicated to his wife Polly Samson, all David era Floyd songs. But once again, the spotlight was shined on the ladies, with Romany & crew re-interpreting “The Great Gig In The Sky” from “Dark Side Of The Moon” in a jazz-ish style, plus new track “The Piper’s Call”. The show ended with a one-two punch of the epic, atmospheric & trippy new song “Scattered” plus encore, the classic “Comfortably Numb” this time with Guy Pratt on Lead Vocals.

As I witnessed an older David Gilmour exit the stage & down the stairs as he waved goodbye, I could only think as to how fortunate we all were to have been there, & how much of a gift it is to feel that bond between Artist & Fan. I have appreciated this rarity of a night to the fullest.

Set 1:

· 5 A.M.

· Black Cat

· Luck And Strange

· Speak To Me

· Breathe (In the Air)

· Time

· Breathe (Reprise)

· Fat Old Sun

· Marooned

· A Single Spark

· Wish You Were Here

· Vita Brevis

· Between Two Points

· High Hopes

Set 2:

· Sorrow

· The Piper’s Call

· A Great Day For Freedom

· In Any Tongue

· The Great Gig In The Sky

· A Boat Lies Waiting

· Coming Back To Life

· Dark And Velvet Nights

· Sings

· Scattered

· Comfortably Numb

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