Capacity: 1,500

Concert starts: 3pm

Address of venue: Kings Road, Brighton, BN1 2GR. MAP

Website: brightoncentre.co.uk

COMMENTS

Following the release of David Gilmour's Luck and Strange, his critically acclaimed first new album in nine years, this week, has been an announcement which reminds us of 2015. Today, Gilmour has announced two very special rehearsal performances at the Brighton Centre on the south coast of England, on September 20th (Evening) and 21st (Matinee). Each show will be limited to just 1500 people.

Tickets for the shows are ÂŁ30, and to be in with a chance to get them, fans will need to have purchased a copy of Luck and Strange from the official David Gilmour UK store by 8am, Monday, September 16th. This will give the chance for first access to the available tickets. Those who have already ordered from the store will also be included. Visit that website to get full details of terms and conditions of the ticketing process. The shows will offer an exclusive preview of David's forthcoming live performances in Rome, London, Los Angeles, and New York.

Ticket links and codes will be sent out at midday Monday, September 16th and the first access to tickets will start at 3pm.

Terms and Conditions:

• Ticketmaster mobile tickets only
• Tickets are non-transferable
• Ticket resale is not permitted
• The name cannot be changed once the booking has been made
• If you are booking more than one ticket your guest must enter the concert at the same time as you.
• Failure to do so will result in the guest being turned away
• Failure to adhere to these terms and conditions will result in your order being void
• There will be no re-admittance allowed
• No Under 5s and children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult
• This is a dress rehearsal event, not a full technical production

TIMINGS:
Evening Show – Friday 20th September
18:45 Doors
19:45 David Gilmour - set 1 (75 mins)
21:00 Interval (25 mins)
21:25 David Gilmour - set 2 (75 mins)
22:40 Show end
 
Matinee Show – Saturday 21st September
14:00 Doors
15:00 David Gilmour – set 1 (75 mins)
16:15 Interval (25 mins)
16:40 David Gilmour – set 2 (75 mins)
17:55 Show end

WARNING - SPOILERS AHEAD!

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

Well, it obviously bodes well when David Gilmour hires the Brighton Centre for production rehearsals. Concluding their time at the south coast of England venue, following the initial rehearsals at the King Alfred complex in Hove (just along the seafront road), a repeat of 2015's preview show saw a pair of "dress rehearsals" to further finesse the production. The first of the brace was a standard evening show, the second, a matinee so that everything could be broken down and packed ready to ship to Rome, Italy, for the first string of proper shows.

With the venue being used for rehearsals, there were some slight differences noticed immediately on entering. There was no raised stage as one would expect (the Brighton Centre doesn't have a fixed stage as it is a multi-purpose venue, hosting conferences, exhibitions, sports events as well as more traditional concerts) with all the equipment etc. on the floor of the hall. There was a kind of lip around the front of what would be the stage, but that might have contained some of the lighting elements too, as well as marking the expected boundary so the performers get used to how much space they have at their disposal.

Prior to the concert, the main floor space wasn't showing on seating plans as having seats, making many think there were going to be standing tickets (or, that they'd missed out on these). It was clear upon entering that the entire space had been left empty for all the equipment, mixing and lighting desks, flight cases and so on. The audience were therefore all sat in the East, West and South Balcony areas, which gave a great, elevated view. The lion's share of fans were in the South Balcony, facing the stage, which gave the best view of everything - lights, lasers, band, the lot. For those of us on the side, we had a different perspective on things at times - here's a wide-angle picture of the lasers in Comfortably Numb which also shows the main floor area of the venue:

Come the start of the show, and Guy Pratt was the first to make an appearance on the stage. He talked about how the performance would be a work in progress thing, a "glimpse behind the curtain that they wanted to share" with the fans, and that there might be bits where they would stop and start, and things might not be 100% yet. Referencing the no video/video light and camera/camera flash signs, a large one of which dominated the screen at the back of the stage before the show, he acknowledged that people would be taking pictures and video, but politely requested that no flash or video lights be used. As we all know, these make NO difference to the quality of concert pictures or footage, and all it does is annoy those around you (and the occasional band member!). Request made, to much cheering, it was on with the show.

David's clearly enjoying being back on stage, with his excellent new album heavily featured. The set list has a mixture of old and new, with a few surprises. I was expecting the entirety of Luck and Strange to be played, with A Single Spark and Sings both missing out, and I wasn't expecting the tonally similar 5am and Black Cat both to feature at the start. Elsewhere, getting a much welcomed live airing is the sublime Marooned, only played twice live by Pink Floyd, and once by David (at the Strat Pack charity gig at Wembley Arena).

Another surprise addition proved to be Coming Back To Life, and the fierce turn that Fat Old Sun took at the point the song really takes off, with some intense flashing lights (not the only instance in the show with such effects, so hopefully those affected by such things will be OK). One of the new songs, Dark and Velvet Nights, has an unnerving, fairly creepy accompanying screen film which is compelling viewing but made my companion rather uneasy!

Those who are after the old favourites have no worries...those songs you expect in the set are all present and correct, with the likes of Breathe/Time/Breathe Reprise, High Hopes, The Great Gig In The Sky (performed with David on slide guitar, vocalist Louise Marshall on piano, with the other vocalists the Webb sisters and Romany Gilmour joining Louise around the candle-adorned piano for a sensitive and moving rendition), and the encore of Comfortably Numb all performed with huge aplomb.

Special mention must be made for Romany - apart from such a great voice, she has an admirable air of confidence and calm on stage, despite performing in front of a lot of people. Seeing father and daughter together on stage was also very special, they shared glances at each other at various points, and had a nice hug at the curtain call at the very end:

It is clear that those lucky souls who have tickets for the upcoming shows in Rome, London, LA and New York are in for a definite treat. The band clearly work really well together, and there's some lovely new lighting effects (I won't spoil that!) to go with old and new visuals. There were a few bits that seemed to this watchful eye that still need a bit of fine tuning, such as lighting and video, and the occasional transition between songs was a bit lengthier than they will be once the shows proper start - but Guy acknowledged that in the introduction. It's clear that David's 2024 shows are going to be truly unmissable and we urge those yet to get tickets, to try and snap up any remaining tickets for the venue(s) of your choice.

BD contributors' reviews, including Kevan Porter's excellent, detailed look at the concert, and plenty of pictures, can be seen below David's own video of the shows - and we are adding more as time goes on and they arrive!

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

In the meantime, here's David's own view on how the concerts went:

CONCERT REVIEW and PICTURES by BD CONTRIBUTOR, KEVAN PORTER

Life Affirming...
David Gilmour
Brighton Centre Rehearsal Show 2
Saturday, September 21st 2024

The second of two rehearsal shows prior to the commencement of a series of live residencies to promote the new album, Luck and Strange, beginning at the Circo Massimo, Rome on the 27th of September. Tickets were made available for the dress rehearsals at the rock bottom price of just ÂŁ35.00 each which resulted in a frantic scramble from fans eager to snap up a bargain!

Following a brief welcome and a “little house keeping” message by Guy Pratt, the familiar strains of '5am' started to rise in volume over the stunning PA system as the stage lights grew brighter and glowed iridescent blue. The eventual stage entrance of a certain David Gilmour resulted in rapturous applause from the audience who were eagerly awaiting the first opportunity of seeing their hero on stage since September 30th, 2016 when the Rattle That Lock tour concluded at the Royal Albert Hall.

 

 

 

 

 

Whilst the band are (technically) still in rehearsal mode, it was clear from the beginning that David’s guitar prowess remains undaunted.

‘5am’ flowed seamlessly into ‘Black Cat’, which itself then (as per the album) segued into ‘Luck and Strange’; the first of many tracks played this evening from the new album. A fantastic start to the show that then continued with familiar outings of ‘Breathe’, ‘Time’ and ‘Breathe reprise’. I’m sure there probably must have been a few nerves (even for a seasoned performer such as David) but if he did have any, they were clearly evaporating and being replaced by a uneasy confidence as the final notes of ‘Breathe reprise’ were played so impeccably.

A rousing ’Fat Old Sun’ followed which has now surely become a firm fan favourite; and what a strident performance it was, really ‘chugging’ along as Gilmour ripped into his old Fender Tele’ for all it was worth with the rest of the band also really beginning to feel at home with such joie de vivre. The tempo and pace slowed down a little with the next track, a beautifully sublime performance of ‘Marooned’, accompanied by suitably atmospheric lightning effects. At the conclusion, my companion uttered the words “that was worth the entrance fee alone”, a sentiment hard to disagree with.

 

 

 

 

 

As the final notes faded there then came the familiar sound effects of radio tuning static and BBC Radio 4 dialogue as David, with acoustic guitar in hand, slowly walked over to Ben Worsley, also with acoustic guitar, and began playing those memorable chords that we all know so well. ‘Wish You Were Here’ was played perfectly, a classic performance of the well loved and timeless classic itself, receiving a rousing and most appreciative reception… and not for the first time this evening!

My memory is now a little fuzzy… As the applause faded, Romany Gilmour was introduced to the stage by her clearly very proud dad, David. Now, in my excitement, I’m not sure if they went straight into ‘Between Two Points’ or if it was preceded by the short instrumental, Vita Brevis (as on the new album). And I also can’t remember properly if the whole band were also introduced at this part in the proceedings - I think perhaps they were! However, ‘Between Two Points’ was absolutely breathtaking, one of the standout pieces of the whole show for me, properly spine-tingling and very emotional; Romany’s singing voice and her whole demeanour and stage presence was incredibly captivating - she’s a star in the making. As the division bell sounded and the countryside sound effects whizzed through the PA we all knew that the first half was almost over as the band performed ‘High Hopes’ in such a resounding and jubilant fashion, again to enthusiastic applause. So, an excellent first set, a truly scintillating taste of what was yet to come!

 

 

 

 

 

After a short break, we found our seats again as the lights dimmed and the band reconvened on stage to the menacing and decidedly deep drone of ‘Sorrow’. Reverberating around the hall, David’s guitar grew more and more aggressive before spluttering out the familiar chords of one of the standout tracks from the ‘A Momentary Lapse of Reason’ album. A knock-out performance, clearly enjoyed by the whole band and the first sign of the lasers used to great effect. ‘The Piper’s Call’ proved to be the perfect way to lift the atmosphere, from dark and moody to bright and breezy. Another fine performance of a new song yet somehow fitting in so well with the older material. The old ‘A Great Day For Freedom’ flowed into the fairly recent ‘In Any Tongue’, joining together two songs written at completely different times but fitting together so perfectly - another spine-tingling and thought provoking moment.

At this point, David reintroduced the backing singers: Louise Marshall, the Webb sisters and, once again, Romany. At the same time, stage hands were bringing to the front of the stage a piano and two candelabra stands. The lights were dimmed and Louise was sat at the piano with David sat at his lap steel guitar (or is it a pedal steel? - I never know) and Guy stood with his upright bass. The spotlight was now intimately focused on the centre of the stage as Louise began playing the introduction to ‘The Great Gig in the Sky’. As the song (written by the late Rick Wright) progressed, each of the vocalists took turns, duetted with each other or sang in harmony, as they recreated this timeless and wonderfully ethereal piece of music. And, as the track finished and you thought that it couldn’t get any better, the band continued with ‘A Boat Lies Waiting’ written about Rick. This was yet another stand-out and emotional moment for me personally. My only observation would be that Rick wasn’t actually mentioned, but perhaps the music did all the talking?

 

 

 

 

 

Rather ironically, the next track performed was ‘Coming Back To Life’! I’m not sure if there was any hidden meaning to its place in the set list but it did, rather like ‘The Piper’s Call’ earlier, quicken the pace and lift the mood. A gorgeous rendition of another new track, ‘Dark and Velvet Nights’, followed which had a lovely and breezy pace before closing the second set with the highlight of the latest album (for me), ‘Scattered’. There is something quite majestic and epic about this track which became even more majestic and epic in the live arena, building and building to a fantastic conclusion - a great way to finish.

Although, clearly, we hadn’t finished! Following a tongue in cheek departure by the band, they quickly returned to the stage to belt out an absolutely stonking performance of Comfy. Yes, we all know it, and yes, it’s a bit predictable but that’s like saying sunshine during the day is predictable or fresh air required for breathing is predictable. It’s (probably) the best guitar based rock song in the history of guitar based rock songs so it’s GOT to be played and GOT to be played by the only guitarist perfect for playing it, its creator!

 

 

 

 

 

Final thoughts and observations: great, life affirming performances by David and the whole band although, and understandably, still a little nervous but that will improve as they perform together more. Great set list if not a little predictable. I’d still love to hear something from David’s first album and maybe substitute Fat Old Sun with a different piece from that period such as ‘Childhood’s End’. And, and… ‘Louder Than Words’ - when will that fantastic track be performed live? It’s simply too good not to have an outing.

Thanks to the exorbitant ticket prices, my next and only other show of this tour will be the final night of the gigs performed at the Royal Albert Hall in October, which I am eagerly looking forward to. Sadly, gone are the days when I would go to all the London shows and, truth be told, I’m only at my next show because of the RAH releasing a few extra tickets as I originally passed when they first went on sale.

 

 

 

 

 

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!