Capacity: 3,500

Concert starts: 8pm

Address of venue: Stockport Rd, Manchester M12 6AP. MAP

Website: academymusicgroup.com/o2apollomanchester

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. Due to the critical success of those shows, held in small venues in Camden and Putney, a full European tour has been announced with this date one part of this.

Nick Mason's Saucerful Of Secrets brings together some familiar names, all great musicians: joining Nick are Gary Kemp and Lee Harris on guitars, 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 FRIDAY, MAY 25th at 9am (UK time), via Seetickets.com. 

WARNING - SPOILERS AHEAD!

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

After a day's rest, the band have now launched into the final trio of concerts for 2018 - Manchester, Glasgow and Nottingham. A slightly curious schedule, as Birmingham (the previous show) and Nottingham are around an hour's drive apart. Logistics like that mean nothing though when venue availability comes into play!

Initial reports are that the Manchester crowd - as expected - gave the band a loud and rousing welcome, and made it clear how much they enjoyed the concert.

For this latest show on the tour, during his customary initial thanks and welcome to the audience, Nick said: "Well, as you may know by now, we are not the Australian Roger Waters, or the South Midlands David Gilmour. No, finally after 25-odd years I gave up waiting for the phone to ring, so we are Nick Mason's Saucerful Of Secrets. We're very happy to be here tonight - thank you all for coming, and we hope you have as good a time out there, as we're going to have up here."

Tomorrow is the penultimate show of the 2018 tour, north of the border in the Scottish city of Glasgow.

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 REVIEW and PICTURES by BD CONTRIBUTOR, Rob Sadler

I think quite possibly one of the best gigs I've ever been to - musically right. Gary just improves and improves. Can it get any better? I don’t think it can to be honest. They are so tight. The set is the right length. It's how I imagine a Floyd gig actually was...

CONCERT REVIEW and PICTURES by BD CONTRIBUTOR, Gary Ashton

Just home from the show tonight in Manchester. I was really looking forward to the show and it did not disappoint. The band were surprisingly loud and rocking and obviously they all enjoy playing the early Floyd material together. Their onstage enjoyment shone through.

The backdrop and lighting appears quite basic but it is very effective and adds to the music... there were too many highlights to mention them all individually but I thought Interstellar, Set the Controls, Fearless and Astronomy were all superb.

A fantastic concert and I look forward to seeing them again next year.

CONCERT REVIEW and PICTURES by BD CONTRIBUTOR, John Johnstone

This was a very much eagerly anticipated gig. I'd seen the set list from the London pub gigs and was really looking forward to seeing the band playing the early songs, most of which were never played by Roger or David in their tours. Thanks to the early announcement by Brain Damage, I'd been able to get front row circle seats for me and my wife.

After a brief but enjoyable meet-up with fellow fan Pete (an old work colleague) in the pub next to the O2 Apollo, we got to our seats in good time. Once the soundscape started, it brought a keen sense of expectation. The band came on, with Nick getting a rousing reception.

Then the music started ... heaven. The band were on fire, with dynamic renditions of the classic songs. It was obvious from the the start that they were enjoying themselves and it showed in their playing. Although the backdrop and lighting / projection effects were minimalist, they really added to the atmosphere.

It would be hard to pick a favourite, all the songs were played brilliantly, but I have to mention Lucifer Sam, Obscured By Clouds, The Nile Song, Atom Heart Mother, Set The Controls and Saucerful Of Secrets (especially Gary Kemp's added guitar solo) as being particular highlights. Even the wife really enjoyed the show!

This was one of the most enjoyable and captivating gigs that I have ever been to. So much so, I went out the following day and bought tickets for Cambridge next year, can't wait!

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!