tapfs.com | The Australian Pink Floyd Show fan site

Finally a sold out show in Vancouver for the Aussies.

Like so many others, I am not a big fan of the studio version of The Wall. But seeing it live is an entirely different matter. Bloody hell.... this show frinking ROCKS. No kidding, the show is cohesive, easy to follow, and has a story to tell. Where the individual musical parts are not always a good play on a radio station, in this show they belong and fit perfectly. For example; "The Trial" is a piece you won't hear on the radio, and in fact many people say they don't really like, but live, and in the context of this show, it's bloody brilliant! The same applies to Vera. "The Wall" album is the work of genius. The concept of The Wall is really a timeless theme of isolation and loneliness, and building a protective wall around ourselves, and going insane. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wall When you see it presented live, it's stunning, very powerful, and has emotional impact. "I get it". When I first heard the studio album in 1979 I thought, "What the hell is this.... not sure if I like it as an album. There's some great stuff in there, but as a whole...... huh?" Seeing it live makes it all make sense.

The performance by the Aussies was right over the top fantastic. Right from the opening notes of "In the Flesh", a wall of high quality sound blasts the hair straight back off your forehead, (yeah..people jumped!) and is delivered from a group of musicians and talented people who are world class indeed. From the opening, In the Flesh, the show takes you through Pinks life and his ups and downs (mostly downs!) to "The Trial" where Pink finally puts himself on trial, and tears down his self imposed wall, and the audience is provided relief at last.

To quote David Gilmour himself (about The Aussies), "They are really, very very good indeed".

These very modest people are real rock stars. TAPFS is a well oiled machine, and they deserve the credit for the focus and dedication to their craft of recreating a Pink Floyd show. It's better than note for note, it's "enhanced" in a way that is theirs, and theirs alone. This is what rocks my Floyd senses; it's the enhanced note for note perfection of the whole music experience. Listen to any piece and dissect the individual parts, keyboards, bass, drums, guitars, singers, lighting etc. listen really closely to the original, then go to the Aussie version and tell me if each individual parts are as good, if not enhanced in a way that you like. It's absolutely stunning, and this whole show is like that....absolutely brilliant and stunning. The musicianship, the visuals, the sound quality, the lasers, the acting, the lights, everything is so well crafted and artistically presented. The whole is greater than the sum of the individual parts. That is what Pink Floyd is all about. And that is what The Australian Pink Floyd Show is all about. That is why they are the best at what they do. The Aussies have made this show their own, and have been true and respectful to the original. This is a world class music act. The show consumes all the senses as you watch, feel, and listen. It's a full out assault on every sense you have. It draws you into the rather twisted story that most folks can identify with (at least to some degree), and you go willingly into the, Australian Pink "Floyd Zone".

They certainly have "The Feel", and have stayed true to their roots, as well as the Pink Floyd roots. It's a MUST SEE show for anyone who has doubts. My God Canada, you are in for a treat! If you have just heard of them, or just found your way here to this site and are wondering if you should see them....FOR GODS SAKE DO IT! You will be sorry if you don't. It's a great Christmas present to yourself!

Maureen and I and our friend Neil decided to take the gang some fresh west coast smoked salmon (mostly caught by Neil last week) and some accoutrements that go along with that! Thank you so very much for your hospitality and generous friendship. You are a class act...all of you. We also were there with Kelly and her husband and hubbies brother (Kelly is the vocalist from "All in All, It's Just", a great Floyd show from Vancouver island.)

Good luck on the rest of the Canadian leg, it's a BIG, BIG country and a long bus ride, especially this time of year when the weather is crappy! But Canadians are a wonderful people, and will give you a warm welcome everywhere you go. Despite the long hours of isolation on the tour buses, I hope you find the warm hearts of the Canadian people as you travel. I wish I could have joined you on the tour bus for this leg!

A standing ovation from Bob and Maureen (Mikinik and Mrs. Mikinik) and our friend Neil, and all the others who we knew at this show.  I hope I get to see many many more of your shows in the future. Can't wait.