Great Gig in the Sky featured the backing vocal powerhouse trio of Kirsten Te Rito, Wini Baxter and Bella Kalolo. The vocal track in this song made famous by Clare Torry is a formidable number to re-create well. Wini begins and it's at this point that audience appreciation for the show kicks up another level. Kirsten continues the vocal track and then hands over to Bella to complete it. The three women absolutely nail this powerful rendition. During their part of this song a few band members have the opportunity to move off to the side and I witnessed Marty (Stratman) Mitchell stage left, hidden from the audience and absolutely getting into it while providing visual appreciation to the trio as much as any of the audience which I thought was quite respectful and completely appropriate.

Money and Us and Them features Roger Rangitawa who is an accomplished multi instrument player, teacher and vocalist that plays with a number of different artists in various genres. However, on this tour it is his saxophone playing in the spotlight which was met with applause from the crowd and for good reason, it's bloody amazing! All Floyd fans are familiar with the iconic Sax pieces particularly on Dark Side and Wish You Were Here. From full on during Money and transitioning to the very calm and stark contrasting Us and Them. The band acknowledges Roger on entry/exit, as does the crowd. 

Glen Ahearn sits centre stage right in the thick of it with his three keyboards that he is continuously moving between which is of no surprise given that keys feature significantly in Pink Floyd music. In fact, I would have to say that Glen was one of the most "animated" throughout the show(s), or certainly appeared to be to me and possibly due to the emotion that he translates outwardly where at one point he was nearly lying on his keys! (Check the gallery and you will see what I mean)

A short intermission takes place at the end of Dark Side of the Moon and the band along with patrons disappear for refreshments and a stretch. I head out to the foyer to check out the merchandise stand and there is a steady flow of interest. At this point it is evident how much the crowd has enjoyed it as I overhear accolade after accolade while I internally concur. 

On return, the familiar keyboard start of Shine on you crazy diamond is met with more audible approval from the audience and features Darren (Daz) Whittaker playing the iconic guitar parts and once again getting the crowd excited after the initial slow solo followed by the iconic subtle four note piece with a pause that sends your blown mind back to the opening track at Earles court in 1994. The return to the stage of the powerhouse backing trio confirms the transition that is about to take place as you prepare your senses accordingly. 

I thought Rob Ju's lead vocal performance in Welcome to the Machine was outstanding and really did the track justice. Have a Cigar was an interesting performance and it was cool to see Stan's interaction with almost the whole band and in particular with Glen which made for more good photographs. It is also one of the few times that somebody other than Roger gets to move freely around the stage. During Wish You Were Here the dual guitarists are literally in the spotlight. Marty and Daz cover all parts of the show amazingly, but in particular on this tack. 

At the completion of this album Stan once again addresses the crowd (for the second and final time) to remind us that they just played three albums back to back. The show is performed in seemingly less time than the three hours that just past.  Thankfully they weren't done yet with an encore (without leaving the stage) of three great tracks, Learning to Fly, Comfortably Numb and Run Like Hell. (With a huge back catalogue to draw on, expect that these may change throughout the tour) 

The lighting and lasers during the final three songs is incredible, particularly during the second lead break of Comfortably Numb. The photos don't portray this entirely as it is something that needs to be witnessed live. At the completion of the show, the band acknowledges the audience and the house lights come up to an equally appreciative audience who by his time are on their feet.

Because the PFE has been around for 20 years it is more than likely a number of people have seen them before, myself included. You therefore might be thinking you don't really need to go again and I encourage you to reconsider. I myself have seen their shows twice before, but this show is something else that is worth experiencing, because that's what it is, a three and a half hour audio, video and lighting extravaganza. The band is playing two more sold out shows in Tauranga over the next few nights, another in Auckland and then heading over to Australia for nine dates with another possible Auckland show on their return to New Zealand.

The two Wellington shows in particular were special with the bands' ties to the Wellington region. This was evident with the presence of whanau and friends in the audience and back stage prior and after. It was my pleasure to meet and capture The Pink Floyd Experience doing what they love and do well.  I eagerly look forward to seeing them again in the future.

The Pink Floyd Experience are:

- Stan Gratkowski (Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar)
- Glen Ahearn (Keyboards)
- Darren (Daz) Whittaker (Guitar/Lap Steel Guitar)
- Martin (Stratman) Mitchell (Guitar)
- Ken (Rumblefoot) Te Tau (Bass)
- Roger Rangitaawa (Sax)
- Rob Ju (Drums)
- Jeremy Fitzsimons (Percussion, Keyboards, sound effects)
- Kirsten Te Rito (Backing Vocals)
- Wini Baxter (Backing Vocals)
- Bella Kalolo (Backing Vocals)