July 21st, 2024 8:00 PM | LAWN SERIES
Last night, I made the trek up to Saratoga for my second lawn event of the season – the Brit Floyd concert at SPAC. As a die-hard Pink Floyd fan, I rarely pass up the chance to catch a quality tribute act, and Brit Floyd, along with The Australian Pink Floyd Show, are among the best in the business.
This year, Brit Floyd was included in the “Lawn Pass” deal, making it a cost-effective evening. All in, I spent about $50: $10 for parking, $30 on food and drinks, and $10 for a rented lawn chair. Word to the wise: stick to bringing your own seating. The rented chairs aren’t exactly the pinnacle of comfort.
One of the perks of these shows is the relatively light attendance by SPAC standards, allowing for a more relaxed atmosphere. I settled in with my usual soda and treated myself to the Double Cheeseburger and Fries Combo.
The Show
The show unfolded in Brit Floyd’s signature style – two sets without an opener. The first half was a journey through Pink Floyd’s diverse catalog, kicking off with the psychedelic “Astronomy Domine” and weaving through classics like “Learning to Fly” and “High Hopes.” They closed the set with a powerful combo of “Pigs on a Wing, Part 1” and “Dogs.”
After the break, the band returned with a crowd-pleasing second set packed with Pink Floyd’s most iconic tracks. From the expansive “Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts I-V)” to the introspective “Time” and “Breathe (Reprise),” they hit all the right notes. The set also included fan favorites like “Wish You Were Here,” “Money,” and the ever-popular “Comfortably Numb.”
The standout moment of the night, hands down, was “The Great Gig in the Sky.” Eva Avila’s vocal performance was nothing short of phenomenal, her range and emotive power bringing the house down. It reminded me of a conversation I had with her on Instagram last year about her incredible talent – and she’s only gotten better since then. (Check out her in action in Pittsburgh in 2020)
In Conclusion
Brit Floyd delivered their signature groove, proving once again why they’re one of the top Floyd tributes around. It was a solid night under the stars, marred only by that less-than-stellar chair. I won’t be doing that again.
Check them out near you.