Photography by Emma Loader

Now you might think that as I am one of Bristol Rocks babies that the review that I shall now give you will be ever so slightly biased. Well rest assured, Kevin has asked me to write an ‘honest’ review.

You can imagine my relief when it turned out to be an excellent and thoroughly enjoyable evening. 

I have to say right from the start that I was never really into Pink Floyd back in the day. It wasn’t that I didn’t like them it was just that I think I went to the wrong school. All my mates that really did rate them went to Bristol or Cotham Grammar school. My lot were more into Queen, Deep Purple, Quo, Mott the Hoople and in my case the mighty Slade. So my first proper introduction to Pink Floyd was the 1982 film The Wall starring Bob Geldolf.

So basically I came to the Bristol Rock Orchestra gig with no pre conceptions and no expectations, which is often the best way to come to a show. 

The press night for the show was held in a large upper room in the Portcullis pub in Fishponds and as you walked into the room you could immediately tell that a lot of hard work had been put into this concert. A large lighting rig, back drop, loads of musical gear and of course…and inflatable pig. 

The size of the audience was surprisingly small and select considering that the actual gig was sold out, however I have no idea how many people had been invited. Maybe the band wanted it that way.

The Bristol Rock Orchestra is made up of 7 musicians pooled from the wider Bristol area (as well as Wales) and is headed up my BR Editor in Chief Kevin Skuse. The pedigree of the musicians (or players as they are known) is very high indeed, which is just as well as I quickly came to realise that this was a mammoth and brave task that this lot had undertaken.

Like them or loath them, Pink Floyd created complex quality music and The Wall along with Darkside of the Moon  are considered to be classic works of art. Muck this up and Kevin and the boys (and Girl) would be left with some serious egg on their faces.

However, there was no need for any egg to go anywhere near anybodies' faces as these extremely competent musicians and singers carried off this classic production with style and an extremely high level of musicianship.

Also, being that Kevin Skuse was involved; the set had a lighting show that was way beyond anything you would normally find in your average pub on band night. Laser beams mingled with smoke lifted the event way above average and gave a colour to an already impressive evening.

The first half of the show is about ‘Pinks’ birth and upbringing. This was presented in a more straight forward concert style and gave all the musicians a chance to shine.  Nikki Brooks has fine voice and used it well, throwing herself into her various roles with aplomb and gusto.

Yan Skuse (yes, he is related) and Fred Hale both on guitar gave Dave Gilmore a run for his money and reproduced the distinctive guitar riffs from The Wall throughout the whole evening.

Darren and Dave on Drums and bass respectively laid down a solid floor for the show that was faultless and Keyboard player Pete Davies chomped away on his keyboard in the back ground adding to the colours of the well thought out vocals.

And Kevin of course appeared to hold it all together like the musical director he undoubtedly was on this occasion also singing and strumming his acoustic guitar..

Five out of the 7 sang, and sang well. The harmonies were always tight and on the money as well as complimenting each other.

The second half became more theatrical as it illustrated ‘Pinks’ decent into madness and the band entertained themselves and us through a variety of costume changes that certainly made me chuckle (especially Nikki’s manic Viking moment…I wouldn’t want to meet this woman on a dark night, especially when she was wielding a battle axe).

The band had prepared for an encore, which they will no doubt get on the ‘the’ night and treated us to a rendition from ‘Darkside of The Moon’. Nikki really did shine at this point as she went full on with the female vocal from THAT track. Except she didn’t just do the bit off of the album, she kept going and going. She told me afterwards that she was suffering from a cold……would I love to hear her sing when she is at match fitness or what.

The evening appeared to end as soon as it had begun, and yet the band were on stage for nearly two hours…always a good sign. 

Any niggles??? Nothing the band weren’t aware of and would have ironed out before the event itself. 

They used some taped material as links, which perhaps could have been a touch smoother…..but as I said, I guarantee that will be sorted out by now. 

All I can say is, if you don’t have tickets to see the show then I really hope they manage to get some further dates booked in, preferably in a venue with a bigger stage. This band really does deserve a bigger audience in recognition of all their hard work and the end result, which was enjoyable and edifying!