Capacity: 5,272 (maximum; depends on configuration of seating)

Concert starts: 7:30pm (to be confirmed)

Address of venue: Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AP. MAP

Website: www.royalalberthall.com

COMMENTS

It is worth noting that the six shows at London's Royal Albert Hall are the entirety of his UK performances this time around. We suspect there could be dates elsewhere announced in due course.

Tickets for this concert go on sale in two stages. Fans in the UK/Ireland pre-ordering Luck and Strange from the official David Gilmour UK Album Store will get first access to tickets, via an exclusive ticket pre-sale on Thursday 9th May through Ticketmaster UK. If you have ordered from elsewhere, there IS, however, a "No purchase necessary" option you can select at David's store to get the pre-sale code without having to cancel your existing order.

The window to qualify for the pre-sale ends at 3pm UK on Wednesday, May 8th, with all existing pre-orders from the official David Gilmour UK Album Store also eligible. Pre-sale codes will be sent out later that day.

Tickets will then go on general sale at 10am UK on Friday, May 10th, through this link at Ticketmaster UK. We are sure that demand will be high for these special concerts.

WARNING - SPOILERS AHEAD!

Do not read on if you don't want surprises to be spoilt, regarding what the band played!

Night seven of the tour (if you ignore the two dress rehearsals conducted in Brighton, on the south coast of England, last month), and the first of six nights in London. The Royal Albert Hall has long been a favourite of David Gilmour, so it should be a good place to see him play in again.

The set list from the later Rome shows was unchanged (the song Sings from the new album, Luck and Strange, was added during the Italian dates), and the only notable differences were the use of a mirror ball to great effect during a couple of songs, and a small error in High Hopes where David didn't start the slide guitar solo as expected.

The performance throughout apparently was superb, and proved an audio and visual treat!

For those interested, there were no major differences with the merchandise on offer - the normal range of t-shirts, hoodies and other accessories including tour programme. Sometimes for the Royal Albert Hall, there's been a special poster, but all there is are the t-shirts and hoodies marked as from the London shows (as seen in the previous shows in Brighton and Rome). We hear though that the merchandise stall was swamped with people snapping things up eagerly so would suggest those who want to get something to commemorate the show, should buy before the concert, and not after, to reduce the chance of disappointment.

We'd love to know in more detail how the concert went. Did you go? Let us know what YOU thought!

CONCERT PICTURES by BD CONTRIBUTOR, DAVID GAYLOR

 

 

 

CONCERT COMMENTS and PICTURES by BD CONTRIBUTOR, CHRIS LEITH

Chris had a Choir seat and was delighted to find that it had a wonderful view of things, and the sound was great. "I never thought it would be this good! The feel of watching the crowd watch the show, too. In no way the Choir seat felt like a 'cheap seat' - a really good experience!" Thought it was worth adding this to reassure others who have Choir seats.

Whilst from my seat I couldn't see the visuals on the screen, you don't dwell on it. The mirror ball ran slowly around during Scattered - a calm and lovely effect. A good choice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONCERT PICTURES by BD CONTRIBUTOR, ROB SADLER

 

 

 

 

 

CONCERT COMMENT and PICTURES by BD CONTRIBUTOR, CIARÁN McQUILLAN

A beautiful show!

 

 

 

 

CONCERT REVIEW and PICTURES by BD CONTRIBUTOR, PHIL AUSTIN

My wife and I saw DG at RAH 2015 and Nimes (France) in 2016. Additionally, I went solo and saw him again at RAH in 2016.

Having “got” prime seats on Saturday 12th October just 15 minutes into the TicketMaster’s pre-sale event, I was over the moon. Then imagine the anger and disappointment when “there was a problem” when I tried to pay for them (this was not an issue with my credit card!). I got kicked out the queue. I did re-join after many hours, but it was a sell-out. I hate TicketMaster, as I’m sure many others do also.

I tried looking for tickets for any show on the Royal Albert Hall’s website in the general sale, after nearly two hours, I thought we wouldn’t be going. One final refresh, and there was a pair of tickets on the OPENING NIGHT, I grabbed them without hesitation.

Fast forward to the 9th October, the trauma of getting tickets was long forgotten. Only to be replaced by new trauma! A (deliberate) fire destroyed vital rail cables near Stevenage, resulting in the train terminating at St. Neots. A taxi to Bedford, and a train into London had to be taken. Add to that, a passenger had to be kicked off at Luton, she didn’t have the correct ticket and argued with the train manager. You couldn’t make it up!!!

We arrived in London 3 hours later than expected. A quick refresh at our hotel, food in McDonald’s Knightsbridge, and a 15 minute walk to the Royal Albert Hall – plenty of time left, phew. A pint of beer in one of RAH’s bars was needed, and calmness returned. I used the time to buy a trio of shirts, a programme and a mug.

The doors opened, and we took our seats. We were to the right and just above the sound-board setup, with great views of everything. Between arriving at RAH around 6.10pm, and David coming on stage, time flew by.

Before I continue, I’d not listened to the new album (but had heard the released songs on YouTube). I'd done this on purpose.

“5am” kicks things off, before moving to the first pair of new songs, including the wonderful title track “Luck and Strange”. Onto “Breathe”, the classic “Time” and “Breathe Reprise”. “Fat Old Sun” followed, I really love this song, DG didn’t hold back during the solo (though I thought the drums were a little over-powering at times). The fabulous “Marooned” and “Wish You Were Here” came next, before two more new tracks “Vita Brevis” and “Between Two Points” with the lovely Romany Gilmour providing the vocals; again DG gave it a just guitar solo. “High Hopes” never fails to amaze, and the inclusion of the balls bouncing around RAH was a sight to behold indeed, wow!

After a slightly longer than expected inter-mission, “Sorrow” starts the second part of the show, such a powerful song. New song “Piper’s Call” is next, this was my favourite from the new album, little did I know my new favourite was yet to come… “A Great Day For Freedom”, so poignant considering what is happening in the world right now, and the fantastic “In Any Tongue”, another track that DG does a fantastic solo on, it is during this that I realise the sound-board must had made some changes (as I can hear DG’s guitars over the drums). A change of pace, brings a lovely rendition of “The Great Gig In The Sky” and “A Boat Lies Waiting”. Richard Wright may not be with us, but he clearly has a presence in the tour. “Coming Back To Life” follows, a fab song. And three new tracks, “Dark and Velvet Nights” (love it, it's something different and unique), “Sings”, and the awesome “Scattered” – the last being my new favourite, it is just WOW, and the solo’s are outstanding.

“Comfortably Numb” ends what has been a truly amazing show. It’s easy to say I was sad it was over, but I (and my wife) were so glad and pleased to be there – and on the opening night in London!

I’d read some comments on YouTube videos about DG’s voice and some guitar issues, during the Italian shows, I put this down to the poor quality uploads.

I’m very happy to report that both DG’s vocals and guitar’s were fine! But let’s not forget, DG is 78, his voice is still great, but it has changed. Evidence of that is by the choice of certain tracks, and by him really using the backing singers to excellent effect.

Speaking of which, I thought his band was fantastic. A few older faces, and several new ones. A special shout-out to the backing singers, they clearly got into the groove and enjoyed themselves; the Webb Sisters, Louise and of course the Romany. And Ben Worlsey on guitars and vocals, absolutely fab, someone to look out for in the future.

My wife and myself have to give this performance 5 out of 5. Simply stunning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

YOUR HELP NEEDED! We want to cover David's concerts the best we can, to share the experience with everyone, especially those who won't be able to attend the shows. We'd love to see ANY pictures, tickets scans, reviews, newspaper reports, and anything else you come across for this show - we look forward to hearing from you!