Brit Floyd Concert Review | Akron Civic Theatre

On Sunday, April 13, Brit Floyd took the stage at the Akron Civic Theatre before a near-sold-out crowd, delivering a powerful tribute to the 50th anniversary of Pink Floyd’s signature album, Wish You Were Here. As always, the band brought not only nine incredibly talented musicians and exceptional audio quality, but also a Pink Floyd-inspired light show that is second to none.

Brit Floyd, considered the premier Pink Floyd experience (per Rolling Stone Magazine and this reviewer) performed the entire Wish You Were Here album, including “Wish You Were Here,” “Shine On You Crazy Diamond,” “Have A Cigar,” and “Welcome to the Machine.” In addition, music from “Meddle” (“One of These Days”), “Dark Side Of The Moon,” “The Wall,” and “Animals” were performed.

What truly sets Brit Floyd apart as a premier tribute band is their unwavering attention to detail. From the meticulously crafted lighting that perfectly captures the Pink Floyd atmosphere to the pristine audio quality, every element is executed with precision. Most impressive of all is the countless hours of rehearsal clearly behind each performance, allowing the band to nail the signature Floyd sound.

Starting with the light show—If you’ve ever seen Pink Floyd live, you know how impressive their visuals can be. Brit Floyd captures that same magic. A massive circular screen projects authentic Pink Floyd videos, surrounded by lasers, multicolored floodlights, spotlights, and even a mirror ball. But this isn’t just a display of lights—it’s a carefully orchestrated, intricately programmed visual experience. Every beam and flash is precisely timed to the music, creating shifting moods that are flawlessly—truly flawlessly—synchronized with every note.

Brit Floyd has maintained a consistent lineup of talented musicians over the years, which has contributed to the band’s remarkable cohesion on stage. The group was founded by guitarist, vocalist, and musical director Damian Darlington. Ian Cattell takes on lead vocals and bass duties. At the same time, Canadian Idol winner Eva Avila impresses with her vocal performance, most notably on her solo in “The Great Gig in the Sky.” Representing Akron, keyboardist Matt Riddle adds a local connection to the ensemble, and guest keyboardist Harry Waters—son of Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters—joins for portions of the show. The rest of the band includes guitarist Edo Scordo, drummer Arran Ahmun, saxophonist Ryan Saranich (on both alto and tenor), and vocalists Robyn Cage and Genevieve Little.

Eva Avila’s performance of “The Great Gig in the Sky” was absolutely breathtaking—her soaring vocals were perfectly complemented by Damian Darlington’s steel guitar and Matt Riddle’s expressive piano, culminating in one of the evening’s many well-deserved standing ovations. To close out the first half of the show, Darlington delivered a powerful solo in “Pigs,” showcasing his incredible guitar work. Saxophonist Ryan Saranich also shone, covering the sax solos with skill and soul.

During “Shine On You Crazy Diamond,” Riddle delivered a powerful performance of “Welcome to the Machine.” He was also the solo musician to start the show in “Signs of Life.” Guitarist Ego Scodo kicked off the iconic solo to “Comfortably Numb,” with Damian Darlington taking over to finish it–a fantastic moment. Scodo also delivered a standout solo in “Another Brick in the Wall.” Vocalists Little and Cage showcased their talents in a moving version of “Mother.” Later, the audience had their moment, singing along and lighting up the venue with swaying cell phone lights during the heartfelt and long-awaited “Wish You Were Here.”

We’ve had the pleasure of seeing Brit Floyd before, and they never disappoint. If you’re a Pink Floyd fan and want to experience the closest thing to the real deal, don’t miss the chance to see this band live. While Brit Floyd tours the world and regularly sells out iconic venues like Denver’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre, they have a special connection with Northeast Ohio audiences. They’ll be returning on August 15, 2025, to perform at Cleveland’s Jacobs Pavilion—an experience no fan should miss.