Zurich, 27 February 2010
My youngest brother had been telling me for years to catch this Pink Floyd cover band if they came to Zurich, finally I managed it and I was not disappointed!
The Australian Pink Floyd played a perfect 3 hour set of classic songs from every Floyd album, combined with a stunning video backdrop of clips from original shows plus their own Aussie-Floyd kangaroo character selecting different Floyd vinyl to play. The lights were a dream, and I wish I could have photographed the whole show given the ever changing backgrounds.
From a photo-perspective, shooting was first four songs. This was not as long, or opportunity-filled, as one might think as half the time the focus was on the video screens while the musicians were in darkness. However, when the lights came up, it was great to have nice white spots on the players at key moments, while maintaining the colour background and to include the video screens for interest. The 5DII was out with the 24-70mm again, a couple of shots on the 16-35mm to grab the vastness of the stage. ISO 1600 for a change, and shutters somewhere between 1/100 and 1/250 for the most part given no leaping about or furious head banging by the musicians.
I can imagine the reason I was the only photographer is that “nobody is interested in a cover band”. It is a big mistake to think that way as last night proved, just ask anyone who was there. This gig was a pleasure to shoot, and a million miles from the previous night where there were 9 of us crammed in the pit with at least the same number of security and a very different lighting treatment.
