If you have seen Just Floyd and would like to write a review then please e-mail to gigreviews@justfloyd.co.uk
All the following reviews are from real people and have not been edited other than to remove any graphical content that would not appear here.
Praise from Wilco & Sue Lathouwers about the gig at The 12 Bar, Swindon on the 26th April 2008
The first time weve seen Just Floyd play.
Met lead-singer / guitarist Dan on various Fish & Marillion forums and decided to go and see Just Floyd play in Swindon at 12 Bar.
Over the years we have seen the original Floyd play 5 times and Lord Rog 4 times and weve seen various other Floyd tribute bands like The Australian Pink Floyd Show, The Machine and Pink Fraud.
Just Floyd were absolutely amazing on the Saturday in Swindon, what a gig, what a performance!!
Comparing them to the other tribute Floyd bands weve seen over the years we think Just Floyd blows them away!!
These guys really deserve a bigger stage then 12 Bar, which is not a bad venue at all, but a bigger stage would give these guys even more opportunities to use their amazing light effects & lasers.
The musicianship is superb, they are enjoying themselves on stage and the lighting and sound were fantastic.
The setlist was a superb mix of Floyd songs and the performances were outstanding.
We are definitely gonna see them again.
If you are Floyd / Waters fan make sure you go and see Just Floyd!!!!
You will get everything you hope for and more.
We wanna thank Dan for his hospitality, it was great to finally meet you in the flesh and hear your amazing voice , and of course the rest of the band and crew for a brilliant gig.
Hope to see you guys some time soon.
Cheers,
Wilco & Sue Lathouwers
Review from Peter Econosto for the gigs at the Chequermead 10th April 2008 and The Frenchman 12th April 2008.
Hi Guys,
Just wanted to drop a line after being completely knocked sideways by your gigs last week, East Grinstead and Folkstone, yes I am sad enough to go to both, it was a display of musicianship the likes of which I have very rarely seen, Two very contrasting shows, one very straight and the other very free, but both accurate and spontaneous.
The sound was excellent on both nights and the performances from the guys were superb, I had never seen you before so took a chance on Thursday but Saturday knocked me over. Superb Stunning, flawless.
There are bigger Floyd tributes, but none with quite the soul and heart you guys gave.
Thanks a bunch.
See you again.
Peter.
A few of the thanks from the Cranleigh gig on 16th November 2007
"Guys
Thank you for a fantastic evening in Cranleigh last night. Like most of the audience I have been a PF fan for many years and have had the privilege of seeing them perform many times, including the London gigs launching Meddle, Dark Side and the last Earl’s Court performance of The Wall. More recently we were lucky enough to have tickets for Live 8 and then Dave Gilmour at the Albert Hall. My biggest ever buzz however has been standing next to Dave Gilmour at the Christmas carol concert held in a church in Horsham whilst my daughter and his son were both at Pennthorpe School in Rudgwick! I have to admit that I have a crap voice and mumbled most of the carols so as not to drown out/offend my neighbour in the church pews…
I have to be honest, but I had never heard of Just Floyd (I have been to three Oz PF concerts, included the one at Albert hall and really enjoyed them) – I was so excited when I saw your advert for last nights concert. I was not disappointed. I really loved your interpretation of some of the numbers, but was really blown away by the quality of your guitar playing. Dan, if I closed my eyes during ‘…Numb’, ‘Shine on…’ and ‘Wish you were here’ then I could have been listening to Gilmour at his best! Add to that the intimacy of the venue and it was a near perfect evening – it’s just a shame that enough of the audience could not show more enthusiasm…
Once again thank you all for making a middle-aged, life long Pink Floyd fan very, very happy. I will look out for future gigs and drag some of my old mates along.
Kind regards
Mark"
"Nice one at Cranleigh last night. Great sound, good to hear "Dogs". Well done for not being a "po-faced" Floyd and by bringing some humour into the proceedings! The sound quality was excellent and well balanced. The obvious enjoyment between the 2 guitarists was well noted by many! Come back soon (I live next door to Arts Centre boss and will talk to her).
Best, the bass player i the audience!
Paul Mc"
"Great evening, got the 'thumbs up' from Hamish, couldn't shut him up, you may get your bog oak guitar yet. We thought the band was awesome.
Thanks for a great time.
Dee & John"
"Cranleigh Arts Centre 16th Nov 2007- Just a note to say we really enjoyed your gig last night. A superbly authentic, unpretentious performance and a brilliant sound - a treat for the senses.
Chris Smith"
Thanks from Richard who saw the band at the Angel Centre on 9th November 2007
"I did really enjoy the show last night, which was my first 'Just Floyd' gig, but I will be back in the next few months to a more amenable venue/town, and will pass word on about the band to my pals etc.
I was really impressed by the playing abilities of this five piece band, and your lightshow and other visuals were just superb - that has clearly taken serious time and money and enthusiasm to put together"
A review from Steve from the 12 Bar gig 20th October 2007.
"I have just got home from your gig at 12 bar swindon 20th october and have to leave you my comments while my ears are still ringing. I have seen whole lotta led more times than I can remember and they are my fave tribute band,absolutley awsome,but tonight you just blew me away. A bunch of guys not trying to be floyd, just fantastic musicians playing fantastic authentic floyd with passion and commitment. closing my eyes took me back 35 years to my youth,honestly you were that good,the only thing missing was the 10 minute gaps between songs. i just cant see how you can do it for £6 entry. Please come to swindon again, I would pay twice as much,and travel to see you if i have to (dont under sell yourselves). A venue with a bigger stage would great to see your light show better, I've heard it's good. You are up there at the top of my tribute band best of list (level with the leds). A reply would be nice but not essential, Keep on giging.
Steve Swindon"
And yes we did reply :)
A review from Sammy from The Tumbledown gig 13th October 2007
"I wanted let you know how great you were all last night, Going to the Tumbledown is a brave task anyway as it has a reputation but you were truelly awsume. Being a young 30 ishhhhhhh(usual raver) people find it weird that I am such a die hard Floyd fan, one of my biggest regrets was not going to see them live. Last night for me was so great and i have it marked down as the best gig i have ever been too. I have whatched the chillies live but can honestly say that last night when i shut my eyes i was totally lost in the fantastic music. Thanks for making my night and my year. I will be following you to see where your playing next . it was truly a speechless performance.
Thanks
Sam
x"
A review from Stuart Landlord of The Greyhound, Meeting Green, Wickhambrook, Newmarket, Suffolk
Gig Date was Sat 8th September 2007
"You went down well with everyone here. The next time we have you down I'm looking to get you a marquee to play in so we can get the full effect from the lights everyone has been raving about.
You got some praise from a friend of mine who was at the show, he's normally fussy as hell where his music is concerned but he thought you were absolutely fantastic, the lights, the music and the vocals. Believe me to get praise like that from him is unheard of, so well done.
I myself thought you are the best band we have had to date and I will be booking you again for spring next year once the weather has got better and we can get you outside.
P.S. Thanks to all you guys and girls, for me, I thought you were all great fun and the way you interacted with my customers went down ever so well."
A personal thank you from Ian Ritchie.
"it was a pleasure to play with just floyd. i had a great time and the gig was very useful to my preparation for roger's tour. you are very welcome to use the video.
all the best,
ian."
The following review was provided by a guy called Richard.
'On 7th April, I went to watch 'Just Floyd' for the first time and thoroughly enjoyed it. I definitely recommend seeing this band as their likeness to the real Pink Floyd is spot on. The band begun with some numbers form the well known' The Wall' album. Songs such as The Thin Ice and Mother were performed brilliantly. Dan, the lead singer sounded just like Roger Walters. The band then continued to play a few songs from later Floyd albums, such as 'Wish you were Here' and 'Dark Side of the Moon'. Not only can Dan, the lead singer sing like Roger Walters, he can also sing incredibly like Dave Gilmour, which is really tricky to do. I was also very impressed by the other guitarisit, Jools, who seems a very talented guitarist. The band later during the night played one of my favorite Floyd song's 'Shine on You Crazy Diamond'. They went for the lengthy intro version, but it did not bore the crowd for a moment. It was fantastic and if you closed your eyes for a moment, you might of thought you was at a proper Floyd gig. That song, in particular was mesmerizing, the light display, smoke machine and the addition of saxophone player made it an all together fantastic gig to go out and watch.'
The following review was provided by Sue (Old Hippie) of the Floyd Fans website
'After a tour of Ilford (what a place to get lost in - nobody speaks English in that part of London), I arrived at the Cauliflower to see Just Floyd featuring Ian Ritchie, Roger’s saxophonist. Dan met me at the door and I was a gob smacked to say the least when he immediately introduced me to Ian Ritchie upon arrival.
It was interesting hearing the set list for the evening being discussed and when DSOTM was mentioned for the second half, I was almost raving and drooling at thought of hearing Money and Us & Them with Ian’s sax accompaniment.
Ian was cool, friendly and very down to earth. He didn’t mind me asking what Roger might play on the forthcoming tour. Oh boy and could he play the sax … it was a revelation … more about that to come.
I must say something about the excellent venue before continuing. The Cauliflower, a wonderful old pub dating back to late 1800’s and built on a cauliflower patch, hence the name. In it’s heyday it was a hotel used by the London and Essex elite and was then reported as being one of the finest buildings in that part of London. Many of the original features remain. There is a long ornate bar, which runs almost the length of the back of the main room which faces the stages. This room is a huge square shape, with a tremendously high ceiling that features a stained glass roof near the stage.
The set kicked off with In The Flesh, always an excellent opener and the first part of The Wall up to Young Lust was played. I really like Just Floyd’s version of Young Lust and it certainly got the crowd going. I must mention Mother as well because Dan sings this beautifully.
On to SOYCD … this was when I first expected Ian to turn up … and so did Dan as I noticed him looking at his imaginary wrist watch after playing the appropriate introductory chord.
Eventually, Ian appeared and started to play … it was a beautiful sound and I was gob smacked for the second time that night … I’m sure my chin was hitting the floor.
From then on things just got better and better with a splendid On The Turning Away (always a favourite with me) and Coming Back to Life following.
After a break, DSOTM was excellently received by the crowd who were now in full swing and dancing and singing along. The place was buzzing!
The last song was announced by Dan as a special due to Ian’s appearance …. It was the excellent Two Suns In The Set (I have a sneaky suspicion that we could be hearing this on Roger’s tour). I managed to record the end of it and will see if I can find a way to upload it if allowed to.
Well could it get any better … yes it did … just look at the encore at the end of the set list below. Jools scat on WYWH was impressive and I love an ending with Run Like Hell!
Set list
Part 1
In The Flesh
The Thin Ice
ABITW 1
The Happiest Days Of Our Lives
ABITW 2
Mother
Young Lust
SOYCD
On The Turning Away
Coming Back to Life
Part 2
Breathe 1
Time
Breathe 2
Money
Us & Them
ACYL
Brain Damage
Eclipse
Two Suns In The Sunset
Encore
WYWH
Comfy
Run Like Hell
Well done to Just Floyd … what I like really about them is that they are a bunch of talented musicians who don’t pretend to be Pink Floyd, do justice to music and inject a whole lot of fun into the procedure . Oh and they’re a nice bunch of people too! '
The following review was provided by Sue (Old Hippie) of the Floyd Fans website, when the band was known as Pink Side of the Moon.
If you would like to read the review and the rest of the comments then please click the www.floyd-fans.com link towards the bottom of the page.
"After a good curry, sis and I arrived at City Limits in Romford shortly after 9 pm. It was a small standing venue with a bar (you know, the best type) and a small dance floor in front of the stage. At 9.30 pm the band came on and opened with In The Flesh … a great start. This was followed by more excellent songs from The Wall and some special treats like SOYCD to which the crowd erupted, Have A Cigar (great vocals here - it was a joy to hear those opening lines), Learning to Fly and Coming Back To Life. The first set ended with a great rendition of On the Turning Away.
During the start of the performance, I noticed a large number of the crowd singing along and it was clear that everyone was well up for the evening’s entertainment... but nobody dared step right up on to that little dance floor in front of the stage. God forbid! A Floyd fan seen standing on a dance floor let alone dancing... never! So it was great when half way through the first set, Jools (one of the guitarist) joked about the audience coming up to the front and everyone took several steps forward.
During the break, sis and I got talking with several people … these were no ordinary Pink Floyd fans, they were die hards … everyone had a story to tell from Syd to Earls Court 1994 and indeed Live 8. Needless to say, I was in my element and certainly ready to hear the second set which consisted of nearly all of the DSOTM... Time went down a treat!
The encore was blinding and just what I’d been hoping for ... WYWH, Comfortably Numb and Run Like Hell... which was a lot of fun and had the audience pointing their fingers and singing Run... (I like doing that bit)
My sister and I really enjoyed Pink Side Of The Moon...
they were tight and together. Justice was done to Pink Floyd's music and rather than play to a recipe like some tribute bands, PSOTM gave something of themselves to the performance. I was impressed by the two guitarists Dan and Jools and also thought the rhythm section were very good particularly during Time and Money. It was good to see Bassbuns come to the fore in the second half …he looked like he was having a great time. The lead singer did a great job with Roger’s lyrics and we loved hearing the following lines from Happiest Days...
But in town it was well known
when they got home at night
their fat and psychopathic wives would thrash them
within inches of their lives
...bet there's not many singers who can get their tonsils around that one ;)
All in all it was a great gig, great band, great crowd and a great venue. Thanks for the 2 and half hours of excellent entertainment...
we shall see you again! "
The following links lead to reviews offsite for when the band was known as Pink Side of the Moon.
www.pinkfloydz.com (A Fleeting Glimpse)