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Brit Floyd

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Brit Floyd
Brit Floyd in Wallingford, CT.
Brit Floyd in Wallingford, CT.
Background information
OriginLiverpool, United Kingdom
GenresProgressive rock, psychedelic rock
Years active2011–present
MembersDamian Darlington
Edo Scordo
Gareth Darlington
Bryan Kolupski
Matt Riddle
Ian Cattell
Arran Ahmun
Eva Avila
Jenn Kee
Ryan Saranich
Andrea Pellegrini
Robyn Cage
Ella Chi
Randy Cooke
Past membersAmy Smith
Jay Davidson
Rosalee O'Connell
Carl Brunsdon
Ola Bienkowska
Emily Jollands
Angela Cervantes
Thomas Ashbrook
Rob Stringer
Roberta Freeman
Bobby Harrison
Websitewww.britfloydofficial.com

Brit Floyd is a Pink Floyd tribute band formed in 2011 in Liverpool, United Kingdom[1] by Damian Darlington.

History

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Brit Floyd originated in 2011 on the initiative of guitarist and singer Damian Darlington "simply because he felt he could do it one better" than his previous band, The Australian Pink Floyd Show. He continued: "There is much more attention to details in every aspect of the show, from the music to the visuals to the lighting. Everything is that much more perfected and there's a passion coming off that stage ... It's a coherent, emotional journey through Pink Floyd's catalog."[2]

Darlington began following Pink Floyd's work after hearing The Wall at the age of 13 and he saw the band live for the first time in 1988 during the A Momentary Lapse of Reason Tour.[3] "Since then, he has seen the band in 1994 and in different incarnations, after its split, including its 2005 reunion."[3]

Pink Floyd saxophonist and rhythm guitar player Scott Page, during a surprise guest performance with Brit Floyd in 2015.

Regarding his growing up listening to the band, Darlington stated: "I definitely listened to Pink Floyd. I remember 'Another Brick in the Wall' being No. 1 in the UK. It was December 1979. Probably my first memory of Pink Floyd. Then I actually heard The Wall album in its entirety and that's what particularly drew me to Pink Floyd about the age of 12 or 13. I was fascinated by the record that told a story, and all these sound effects linking songs together, and also the wonderful guitar work. I was already learning to play guitar and I wanted to learn to play some of these wonderful guitar solos. That was my introduction to Pink Floyd. I was a fan from quite an early age."[2]

After playing in a number of bands over the years covering a wide range of music including country, western, and even jazz, Darlington played with The Australian Pink Floyd Show from 1994 to 2011 (Darlington is not the only veteran of The Australian Pink Floyd Show in Brit Floyd, "several others in Brit Floyd" have been a part of the band as well).[4] Darlington wanted to parlay his experience with The Australian Pink Floyd Show into something more nuanced: “I felt it was time to do it in a different way with a different group of musicians — to strike out on my own, I’ve had a lot of experience and have learned how to do this correctly.”[3] Darlington says the show pays greater attention to detail, presenting a more polished show: “If you’ve seen the Australian show, you’ll notice a difference in a big way — a difference for the better, we make the extra effort to re-create as much as we can and it’s not just the songs: It’s the visuals, as well.”[3]

The Band has toured extensively since 2011 and has featured guest musicians from Pink Floyd's studio and touring band line-ups. Pink Floyd bass player and vocalist Guy Pratt joined Brit Floyd on stage at Echo Arena Liverpool on 9 November 2013, and saxophonist and rhythm guitarist Scott Page joined them at Los Angeles's Orpheum Theatre on 17 June 2015, playing "Money" and "Us and Them" with the band.[5][6]

In 2016 the band embarked on "a massive 76-date US tour" featuring "an extended career-spanning setlist" that included a performance of Pink Floyd’s 24-minute epic "Echoes" and featured a "million dollar stage design."[7]

At the conclusion of their 2022 world tour, a press release announced that Brit Floyd had parted ways with their longtime management (a small British production company called CMP Entertainment) and partnered with Palladium Entertainment. Due to the split, the band made new social media profiles along with a brand new website. With the announcement of the management change, the band also confirmed their plans for a 2023 world tour celebrating the 50th anniversary of Pink Floyd's 1973 album, The Dark Side of The Moon.[8]

In 2024, the band embarked on an international tour, P·U·L·S·E, celebrating 30 years of The Division Bell. The tour includes shows in the United States, Latvia, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, The Netherlands and England. With special appearances by Durga McBroom, Scott Page, Harry Waters and P.J Olsson .[9]

Band

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Various musicians have played in Brit Floyd since its inception in 2011. The present band members and key crew members are:[10]

  • Damian Darlington – guitarist, vocalist and musical director (2011–present)
  • Ian Cattell – vocals, bass (2011–present)
  • Edo Scordo - guitars, vocals (2015–present)
  • Matt Riddle – keyboards, synths, hammond, vocals (2017–present)
  • Arran Ahmun – drums, percussion (2011–present)
  • Ryan Saranich - saxophone, percussion, guitars, bass, keyboards (2016–present)
  • Randy Cooke - drums, percussion (2021–present)
  • Eva Avila - backing vocals (2017–present)
  • Genevieve Little - backing vocals (2019–present)
  • Jesse Lee Houllier - backing vocals (2022–present)
  • Chess Galea - backing vocals (2023–present)
  • Robyn Cage - backing vocals (2023–present)
  • Gareth Darlington – Sound Designer and Front of House Engineer (2011–present)
  • Bryan Kolupski – Media Director – Animation and Video (2011–present)
Past members
  • Amy Smith – backing vocals (2011)
  • Rosalee O'Connell - backing vocals (2013)
  • Carl Brunsdon – saxophone, percussion, guitar, bass guitar (2011–2015)
  • Bobby Harrison – guitar, vocals (2011–2015)
  • Ola Bienkowska – backing vocals (2011–2022)
  • Emily Jollands – backing vocals (2011–2016)
  • Jacquie Williams – backing vocals (2011–2022)
  • Angela Cervantes - backing vocals (2013–2017)
  • Thomas Ashbrook - keyboards, vocals (2013–2017)
  • Roberta Freeman - backing vocals (2013–2017)
  • Karl Penny - drums (2014–2019)
  • Jay Davidson - saxophones, guitars, percussion, keyboards (2015–2018)
  • Jenn Kee - backing vocals (2016–2019)
  • Ella Chi - backing vocals (2018–2020)

Citations

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  1. ^ "Brit Floyd Come to Lebanon". Archived from the original on 8 May 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  2. ^ a b Burnsilver, Glenn (23 May 2014). "Inside Brit Floyd, The Ambitious Pink Floyd Cover Band". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
  3. ^ a b c d Johnson, Kevin C. (21 March 2014). "Brit Floyd creator says his Pink Floyd tribute is done right". stltoday.com. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
  4. ^ "Brit Floyd | The World's Greatest Pink Floyd Tribute Show | Damian Darlington". www.britfloyd.com. Archived from the original on 23 August 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2021.
  5. ^ "Scott Page (Pink Floyd) Money sax solo Live with Brit Floyd (17 June 2015)". YouTube. 21 October 2015. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
  6. ^ Lopez-Reyes, Ed (21 July 2015). "Brit Floyd joined by Scott Page at Los Angeles' Orpheum Theatre". Brain Damage - Pink Floyd News Resource. Matt Johns. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
  7. ^ "it's a Pink Floyd NYC takeover with David Gilmour shows, a "special guest" event, Brit Floyd & more". BrooklynVegan.
  8. ^ Brit Floyd (11 November 2022). "Press Release" (PDF). Brit Floyd Official.
  9. ^ "TOUR".
  10. ^ Brit Floyd. "Brit Floyd Band Profiles". Brit Floyd Official.

Further reading

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