Capacity: 2,497

Concert starts: 8pm

Address of venue: Theatre Square, Nottingham NG1 5ND. MAP

Website: trch.co.uk

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. 

Our thanks to Gary Summers for the alternate ticket picture to the right. These were the venue's own tickets, and on the night itself, the lack of decent perforations to tear the counterfoil off, proved a bit of a struggle for the ushers, some of who made mention of this issue. Tickets issued by Seetickets were far more popular with them, having easily removed counterfoils... also, have you noticed that there's something amiss with how they've shown the band name?

WARNING - SPOILERS AHEAD!

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

Well, that's it - for now, at least. The final show of 25 from the Saucers this year, and each of them very highly acclaimed. Critics and fans alike have agreed, this is a show that all Floyd fans will love, and indeed, from our conversations at various venues, the set list has won over/converted a number of people who were either not fans previously (dragged along by friends/family) or were never really into the "early stuff". The fresh and dynamic performances of the music have given a whole new aspect to the songs; it's like the songs have just been written, let alone in some cases being over 50 years old! This vitality in performance has resulted in hugely enthusiastic word of mouth, with us yet to hear anyone unconvinced by the set list, the music, or the band members and their respective performances.

Shows have been announced for next April/May and we suspect there will be a number of people going back for more, as well as those who missed out (either due to tickets being sold out, or inertia, or waiting to hear what the shows were like before committing themselves). There are only five of these 2019 shows currently, so if you've been debating it, don't delay any longer...

For this latest show on the tour, during his customary initial thanks and welcome to the audience, Nick said: "Well, as I hope people know by now, we are NOT the Australian Roger Waters, we are not the Danish David Gilmours indeed, we are Nick Mason's Saucerful Of Secrets, and very happy to be back here in Nottingham. In my case, it was some time ago that I was here with a man called Jimi Hendrix, and The Move. [Audience whoops] Now come on, you're not all that old!

"I think it was 1967, that we were on tour, [playing] just around the corner. I think we played the Uni as well, years later. That WAS a while ago now, so on with the show. We hope that you'll have as much fun as we definitely intend to."

The Royal Concert Hall is in a grand old building dating from 1865 - it has a modern frontage around the side, though, as the concert hall is a much more recent addition: it opened in 1982. Some elements of the building are a little labyrinthine - some of the staff seemed to struggle at various points with directions! Due to its nature, the sound was, as expected, excellent, and the audience happily gave their plaudits for another great performance for a band who have packed a LOT of shows into September - 21 of them - with few rest days. Nevertheless this seemed to have no impact on the shows themselves with the band members showing impressive stamina (not least from all the travelling; those 21 shows were performed in 12 different countries).

As the final "Goodbye" from the concluding Point Me At The Sky hung in the air, there was a small feeling of sadness from some of us in the audience as the realisation that this fun ride was coming to an end. For now, anyway. I'm already making plans for next year's shows - and suspect many others are following suit. See you there!

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, Gary Summers

Possibly one of the most enjoyable concerts I've seen for years, even beating Roger's Hyde park spectacle (bit too political for my liking)...

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!