Off The Wall - Wish You Were Here Tour 2006

30 March 2006

Following their appearance at Live 8 last July, interest in Pink Floyd has never been greater. For many people it was the highlight of the biggest rock concert ever staged, but for fans of the band it marked their first appearance together for 24 years and prompted hopes that the original members would reform to tour again.

A flurry of rumours and press reports were followed by confirmation from the members of the band that there were no plans to reform and it seems to be increasingly unlikely that Pink Floyd will ever play together again.

As huge fans of the original band, Off The Wall are sad that this should be the case, but happy to carry the torch and continue to recreate the live Floyd experience. In a show that lasts for over 2 hours, six accomplished musicians perform dynamic and exciting versions of all the classic songs including, on this tour a complete rendition of the classic ‘Wish You Were Here’ album.

Though always enigmatic as individuals, Pink Floyd’s concerts have been the most spectacular and innovative ever staged.  Off The Wall do try to do justice to the creativity of the original shows. A massive moving lightshow plus superb animations and videos projected onto the classic Floyd circular screen take concertgoers far beyond just listening to a record.  In the words of one fan, ‘When the whole thing comes together with the music, the lights, the films, the crowd and the atmosphere, it’s not just a concert, it’s an experience.”

As part of a 5 month tour including 38 UK dates, a sell out tour in Denmark and the band’s first arena concert in Lisbon to  a crowd of 10,000, Off the Wall will play at the NEWI William Aston Hall on Saturday, 22nd April.  “We are looking forward to playing in Wrexham..  A lot of work has gone into preparing for this tour. Wish You Were here is many people’s favourite Floyd album and the songs on it are so beautifully crafted that it is a joy to play. In addition hundreds of hours of work have gone into new films and effects to enhance the music and give an extra degree of originality to the show.”

“When the Floyd played Wish You Were at Live 8, they still mentioned founder member Syd Barrett, about who the whole album was written, but its kind of poignant now that it looks certain they are never going to play together again because - we wish they were here. After Live 8 the album kind of takes on a new significance when you realise that it’s not just about the breakdown of one of their friends, but the it marks the start of the breakdown of their own friendship.”

Off The Wall are not trying to be Pink Floyd, we don’t dress up like them, or use the same guitars, or even play the songs note for note like the records. We do remember them during the course of the show and don’t forget that they created the music we play, but there is a degree of originality in the music, lighting and video that makes it more than just another tribute show and we invite both dedicated Floyd fans and those just curious to explore a little of the Floyd mythology to come and find out for themselves.

Tickets are £15 and available at Wrexham Tourist Information Centre Lambpit Street, Wrexham or 01978 292015.