Capacity: 500

Concert starts: 8pm

Address of venue: Middle Yard, Camden Town, London NW1 8AB. MAP

Website: www.dingwalls.com

COMMENTS

When Nick Mason made comments in Italy about heading out to small venues, to play early Pink Floyd songs, few took the remarks seriously. As unlikely as it seemed, Nick was entirely truthful and in the initial announcement a set of four shows in London were announced for his new band.

Nick Mason's Saucerful Of Secrets brings together some familiar names, all great musicians: joining Nick are Gary Kemp and Lee Harris on guitar, Guy Pratt on bass, and Dom Beken on keyboards. Kemp is best known for his work with Spandau Ballet, Harris as having played guitar with The Blockheads (Ian Dury's band), Pratt needs no introduction, and Beken is principally known for his work with The Orb, and Transit Kings (with Pratt). The band will be playing early Pink Floyd songs.

This is a unique opportunity to experience Pink Floyd's celebrated and significant early body of work played live including songs from albums 'The Piper At The Gates of Dawn' and 'A Saucerful Of Secrets'.

The regular sale of tickets started on TUESDAY, APRIL 17th at 10am (local time), via TheSaucerfulOfSecrets.com. Inevitably the tickets sold out almost instantly. All ticket holders will require photo ID with their ticket for entry to the shows. Our thanks to Nick Waterfall for the ticket scan to the right. As ever, click the thumbnail to see it in more detail.

WARNING - SPOILERS AHEAD!

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

Well, the secrets have well and truly been revealed; Nick Mason's Saucerful Of Secrets have proved to be Sorcerers of Sounds, leaving a tightly packed Dingwalls crowd astonished and thrilled at the show unfolding before them.

Before the show started, expectations amongst some were high, others were sceptical about what the night would bring. What would they play? The line-up of the band also caused some discussion - Gary Kemp being a principal curiosity for his past career, best known for Spandau Ballet. Some knew Lee Harris (who came up with the idea of the band) from working with The Blockheads (and definitely not Talk Talk, who have a drummer of the same name), and Dom Beken was familiar to others for his work with The Orb. Vocal duties were shared between Kemp and Pratt, with Harris providing backing vocals at various points.

From the opening comments from Hans Keller - "Why has it all got to be so terribly loud?" through to the dying "Goodbye..." the crowd were treated to a set as diverse as it was unexpected; songs that had NEVER been played live were given the opportunity, and sounded great. Other songs were more expected; half the set at least could have been guessed at as likely contenders, but nonetheless they all sounded fresh, lively and played with a clear passion and verve.

Any first night nerves there may have been (and remember, they'd never played in front of the public before) seemed quickly dispelled as they launched into Interstellar, setting the scene for the powerful show. The band gel together so well, playing in such a united way, it's as if they've been together for years. This is no tribute band, slavishly copying the originals; they are performing the songs with an authenticity and musicality that's a joy to hear. It's like you are listening to the Floyd back in the 60s or early 70s, and I suspect certain songs will sound vastly different from night to night, as they improvise around the central themes - as the Floyd themselves used to do show after show. In later years, things became tighter and more controlled, with much less improvisation or expression, so a return to this type of sound will be embraced by fans of the earlier Floyd.

Every musician played with a love for, and an innate understanding of, the music. Kemp (dispelling any Spandau concerns) proved a revelation to many, sounding like he was born to play the songs. Harris's guitar work was also wonderful, earning him a number of new fans judging by the reaction of many around me. The combination of Kemp's and Harris's guitars made for a full, rich sound, perfectly weighted, with lovely touches throughout. Pratt's bass playing was fluid, powerful and very melodic. The funky section in Let There Be More Light was a particular, unexpected joy.

Beken's keyboard playing displayed a deftness of touch, whilst tucked away behind his equipment. The opening of Obscured By Clouds owed a lot to how Richard Wright used to start the song in concert, for example, adding even more to the atmosphere. As for the man himself, Nick's drumming showed a quality, and enjoyment, that was wonderful to hear. Being involved in this project seems to have taken years off him; his youthful exuberance and frequent smiles through the show was quite infectious. It took no time to remind people just what a key part of the quintessential Floyd sound Nick provides. With typical wit, Nick addressed the audience part the way through the show, and clearly was relishing the evening as a whole.

Kudos too, to the sound man, who managed to do a great job in such a small venue; such places are prone to having poor sound. No such worries here - loud, powerful, clear as a bell! Lighting was kept simple, but very effective; a nice touch was the layout of Nick's drum kit enabling a clear view of him. Too often drummers are hidden away behind cymbals and suchlike.

So, show one done, and 500 very happy souls thankful that they were there on the first night, a night that will definitely remain in the memory. Some of course will be lucky enough to be at one or more of the remaining three nights, still in London but at the 250 capacity Half Moon in Putney. On the basis of last night in Camden, this band deserve to be a huge success...

We'd love to know from those attending how they felt the concert went. How was the show for you, if you were one of the fortunate ones to attend? Let us know what YOU thought!

CONCERT PICTURES by BD CONTRIBUTOR, Peter Chow

CONCERT REVIEW by BD CONTRIBUTOR, David Leakey

This was a brilliant gig filled with energy, passion and good humour. As someone who came across Pink Floyd upon the release of Dark Side of the Moon, it was a revelation to see and hear their earlier work recreated by such an energetic band. It made me realise that, for all the whimsical psychedelia with which Syd Barrett is associated, there is a power and indeed earthiness to some of these songs such as Interstellar Overdrive, Astronomy Domine and Lucifer Sam.

Guy Pratt and Gary Kemp were engaging frontmen, Pratt in particular seemed to be having the time of his life and barely stopped smiling throughout the gig - not something you would associate with the Wall era band that was increasingly dominated by an often moody Roger Waters!

Nick Mason's light hearted chat improved the mood still further. Dingwalls was the perfect venue, probably not that different I imagine from the small clubs where the early Floyd performed. I never thought I would end up dancing to Pink Floyd songs!

A truly magical evening.

CONCERT PICTURES by BD CONTRIBUTOR, Philippe Veys

YOUR HELP NEEDED! We want to cover Nick'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!