David Gilmour’s concert at Madison Square Garden was a remarkable finale to his Luck and Strange tour. Gilmour masterfully blended his iconic Pink Floyd classics with songs from his September 2024 solo work, ‘ Luck and Strange.’ The setlist weaved this mix of songs together and showcased Gilmour’s masterful guitar skills and emotional lyrical depth.
Before the show began, long-time bassist Guy Pratt spoke to and prepared the audience for the magnificent show ahead. Pratt has been playing bass for four decades and has played with just about everybody, including Tears for Fears, Roxie Music, Iggy Pop, Deborah Harry, and currently is a member of Pink Floyd’s drummer Nick Mason’s band, Saucerful of Secrets (Check him out on Wiki!). Pratt’s message to the audience was to keep the little cell phone lights off, limit the pictures (so as not to annoy people behind you), and leave the lighting to the lighting staff. He guaranteed a magnificent show was about to begin, and it would require everyone’s full attention.
Starting at about 7:40 PM, the performance lasted approximately three hours (including a 25-minute intermission). The first set began with two instrumental songs, creating a relaxed and tranquil mood. Simple lighting dimly illuminated the stage, still keeping secrets while “5 A.M.” from Gilmour’s 2015 effort, ‘Rattle That Lock‘ album kicked everything off.
The audience first heard Gilmour’s voice in his third song, the title track from the new album. During this song, everyone on stage lit up, and the audience could see all the band members simultaneously. While this first set highlighted some Pink Floyd tracks like “Wish You Were Here” and “Fat Old Sun,” it also had a wonderful mix of Gilmour solo songs, paired with standout performances of ‘Luck and Strange’ songs such as “Vita Brevis” and “Between Two Points,” the latter featuring Gilmour’s daughter, Romany, on vocals and harp. Before this point, Romany had not even been on stage, but after “Between Two Points,” she remained on stage the rest of the night. (It’s also worth noting that she is the lead vocalist on “Between Two Points.”)Her presence added a familial and personal touch to the evening, enhancing the emotional resonance of the music.
A stand-out moment from the first set is Gilmour’s “High Hopes” performance from Pink Floyd’s 1994 record, ‘The Division Bell.’ The song maintains such popularity from the exceptional slide guitar solo that climaxes during the performance. By this time, the totality of the stage, the lights, the musicians, and the audience were all in full force. The iconic 50-foot circular screen shows Gilmour’s fingers and guitar while concertgoers stare in amazement.
Accompanied by footage from the music video, large inflatable black balls covered in the markings seen on the video screen dropped from the ceiling. While the audience typically remained seated for the majority of the first set, at this moment, there wasn’t one able-bodied person not on their feet.
After a well-deserved intermission, the show started its second set with a mix of dynamic energy and poignant moments, with “Sorrow” from 1987’s Pink Floyd album, ‘A Momentary Lapse of Reason.’ Romany once again joined her father at center stage for another magical moment with “The Piper’s Call.” With her vocals, Adam Betts‘ drums, and Greg Phillinganes on organ, this song was very reminiscent of both early and later Floyd.
Backing vocals were handled by Louise Marshall and the Webb Sisters (Hattie and Charley). Romany joined these multifaceted women for the remainder of the show. All four women shared the spotlight at one point with a reimagined, harmony-rich rendition of “The Great Gig in the Sky.” The combination of the Webb Sisters, Romany, and Marshall on piano gave this song a new life. Originally made famous with the vocals of Clare Torry, the new rendition of these ladies was memorable for the culmination of combined talent.
Gilmour also performed fan favorites like “Coming Back to Life,” which he had dedicated to his wife, Polly Samson. Gilmour has always credited his wife for her contributions to his music with her poetry that has made up so much of his lyrics for decades. Gilmour closed the main set with ‘Luck and Strange‘ tracks “Dark and Velvet Nights” and “Scattered.”
The encore was precisely what the audience wanted to see: a stunning rendition of “Comfortably Numb.” The lifelong showman knew how to reach his audience and ended at an all-time high—featuring breathtaking solos and a dazzling light display, leaving the audience in awe.
With lasers in full force, the band in the pocket of Gilmour’s classic solos, a rounded screen highlighting everything and everyone on the feet, and finally, the mirror ball in full effect, the once-in-a-lifetime moment had culminated into the ending of all endings.
David Gilmour is a master craftsman at what he does. From the moment he stepped onto the stage to when Romany, and the rest of the band took their final bows, everyone inside Madison Square Garden knew the evening was special. Ending a world tour consisting of four cities and multiple nights, there wasn’t one person, band included, who didn’t know how much it meant to be present that night.
Editor’s Note:
As someone fortunate to have seen Pink Floyd since they were playing at the Kent State gymnasium, I have heard the band and its members release a plethora of music.
Gilmour’s latest album was featured throughout this show and was refreshing to hear. Sometimes, new material isn’t immediately well received when fans, who are primarily familiar with an act’s past catalog across multiple decades, come to hear what they are more familiar with. David
Gilmour performed this new music with conviction, as if it were honest and in his heart. “A Single Spark” is a good example of this, where he sings as if he really believes in his new work (much of the lyric is written by his wife, Polly). His voice sounded as clean and methodical as ever. I have had the opportunity to listen to a few older artists who are showing their maturity and vulnerability as they age (Peter Gabriel performing his IO Tour comes to mind.) As a long-time fan of these great artists, I appreciate the cadence in their writing. “Scattered” (also from ‘Luck and Strange’) demonstrates Gilmour and Polly’s views on life and age with lyrics like,
“A man stands in a river, pushes against the stream
Time is a tide that disobeys; it disobeys me”
Gimour’s youngest daughter, Romany Gilmour, is featured in two songs and throughout the concert. The chemistry between father and daughter is very apparent in the show. Being a father myself, I found the performance pretty touching and humanizing. Early Pink Floyd shows always seemed a bit mysterious and distant to me, as though the music was not about the performance but about mysticism. This concert showed not only the magnificent musician that David Gilmour is but also the human side of this charismatic man and the bond he shares with his daughter. Romany also showed the 22-year-old rocker that she is at heart, her head banging through the magnificent solo, “Comfortably Numb.” The show was a testament to Gilmour’s enduring artistry, blending technical brilliance with heartfelt performances, and marked a memorable conclusion to his 2024 tour
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