Auditorium Parco della Musica
Rome’s Parco della Musica is a vast multi-function music complex where three large concert halls, each with different capacities (2,800, 1,200, and 700 seats) are separated, yet joined at the base by a continuous lobby.
The fan shaped layout is formed around the central piazza, with lush greenery all around it.
Each of these structures, structurally separated for sound-proofing, are built of red Roman brick with lead rooves.
There is also a fourth concert hall, an open-air amphitheatre for 3,000 people.
The 2,800-seat concert hall, known as Sala Santa Cecilia, is intended for symphony concerts, with room for both an orchestra and choir. This is where David and his band will be performing. As you can see from the picture, the central stage guarantees perfect visibility, as well as natural acoustics.
If you will be in attendance on 26 March, then do let us know. We are confident that you will have a splendid time and look forward to hearing all about it.
Please note that the Mermaid Theatre competition is now closed. Winners are listed in the previous entry.
Morning FEd
Another beautiful musical setting – I bet DG could sell out all 3 auditoria himself.
Not sure if e-mails have gone out yet, but this certainly feels a lot like looking for a Willy Wonka Golden Ticket!!
N
[No e-mails have gone out yet. I'm going to need another hour or so of tooing and froing before I whittle the list down. We had far more entries than we have tickets, so unfortunately quite a lot of people are going to be disappointed. That said, we do want the people who have supported the site since the beginning, and who have contributed to our little blog community, to get tickets ahead of those who only put in an appearance last night because they heard that we had freebies on offer! - Features Editor]
David has definately picked some beautiful places to perform at. Any chance of seeing a picture for Toronto’s Massey Hall? I’m going to one of the shows there, can’t wait!
Afternoon FEd,
I hope we didn’t keep you up too late last night. I went to bed at 1am and am certainly feeling the effects this morning.
That looks like an amazing place, it will almost be like playing in the round. David and his management have certainly picked some stunning venues.
Vicky
Dear FEd,
Yes, Sala Santa Sicilia is just a wonderful concerthall!! I was there in November, attending Roger Waters Ca Ira opera. I think it will be a wonderful performance. I didn’t get ticket for that gig, but RAH is a good substitution for me, really.
(Btw: Isn’t it quite a bit ironic that David – 4 months later – will play at the same stage as Roger? … What do you say, well respected F.Ed?)
Terje
[A complete coincidence, I'm sure. David has chosen beautiful venues for this tour and, as you already know, this is certainly beautiful. - Features Editor]
Good afternoon, Feature Ed – well I hope?
Just giving my views on the Rome venue… all of those with tickets for this show are in for a treat. I saw Roger Waters’ opera Ca Ira get its premiere at the venue, and it is a wonderful place to hear good music. I could not find fault with anything, from the facilities, to the sound quality, to the sight lines. Even the seats are comfy!
The place does look a little odd – from outside, you can see all three halls, all of which are elliptical. Inside, there are more of these funny bulbous shapes, made from wood, on the ceiling. All of which contributes to great sound quality.
Enjoy the show those who are going to it – I am certain you will!
What a day to not have Internet access…damn. Oh well, I’ve got tickets for the 31st at the RAH so I can’t be too disappointed (Mind you, I don’t think suggesting that David cover the Scissor Sisters makes me the most popular poster to this community so I probably would have been cut anyway!).
Congratulations to all the winners, here’s looking forward to getting my copy of ‘On An Island’ on Monday and listening to the Radio 2 concert on the 11th.
Hi Fed, i visit this site every day since you started the fan fare, or feature as it was called! i have just never posted, i entered last night for the competition but i have never posted before because i didnt have anything to add, but i do check this site all the time! im really loving the new stuff from david, glad to see he’s not lost it, i would love to go along to the mermaid theatre! please consider my entry Fed! you do great work here, keep it up!
Lewis
This place looks fantastic, and has a very warm feeling to it, would love to go there only I live in jolly old England, oh well there’s still the chance with the radio 2 tickets… must be optimistic after all
Hi FEd,
Hope your brain is isn’t too frazzled by choosing the lucky winners!
However, I just wondered if you or anyone knows if David still gets nervous before a tour? Or even on release of a new record?
[Yeah, he wouldn't be human if he didn't get nervous. - Features Editor]
Another great venue. It’s obvious David and crew have spent a while chosing venues of the highest quality, rather than opting for the norm.
J
When I listen to On an Island, I am in another dimension and not else matter. Thank you David.
Finally, the song ended….and i suddently realized that I was driving a car!
See you in Milan!
Hey Rudders…I’ll be driving in with my son(passionate David fan) from Kingston for the April 10th show at Massey Hall.Is that the one you’re going to?If it is, and you’re starting off the night at HRC prior to magic time,how will I recognize you if I happen to make it there to join in on the celebrating?
Posted by: John at March 1, 2006 01:04 AM
John
I’ll be there on the 9th… shame! But I will be in the HRC on Yonge before the concert…
oooo…. I’m sooo very gutted! I have just spent the last 10 mins kicking myself and have the girls in the office laughing at me! I CANNOT believe I missed the comp yesterday. Every single day I take a look at the site but I guess for some reason or other I didn’t yesterday – and now I’m paying for it! My bottom lip is protruding now!! Oh well, best of luck to all of you who managed to enter and I hope you really really enjoy yourselves. I’ll be thinking of you!
Lorna xx
Fedmeister… me old mucka!
What are “lead rooves”?
See third line of the concert hall description…
[Hi Rudders. It's the correct plural of 'roof', as far as I'm concerned, and my English teacher would be so pleased to know that I remembered that lesson. Do you think 'roofs' looks better? I just can't bring myself to use that. - Features Editor]
Caption Competition
Hey… those new Zamboni’s look good!
It’s a Canadian thing!
Haven’t checked in here for the last couple of days, choosing instead to work my arse off for uni, and I miss my chance to enter the competition! Typical! Ah well, the very best of luck to the rest of you.
Fedmeister
Back to the Roof question…
“Irregular plural forms
There are several other irregularities in the plural forms of English nouns. Here are examples:
Man becomes men
Woman becomes women
Fungus becomes fungi
Thief becomes thieves (note that not all words ending in “f” follow this pattern: roof/roofs)
Species remains species
Medium becomes media
Person becomes people”
Check the URL…
“The force is strong with you but you are not a Jedi yet” :-)
[A smart arse, eh? You're no longer my favourite, Rudders. I'm very disappointed in you. I'm still sticking with 'rooves', partly because I'm stubborn and partly because, if it's good enough for Dickens, Shakespeare and the BBC, then it'll do me. And I don't care if Bill Gates wants to keep changing it, either! The English language is dumbed down far too much as it is, so I'm digging my heels in. 'Roofs' is just plain wrong to my mind! Irregular plural or not, if both are acceptable (albeit that my way is considered the archaic way), than I'm using 'rooves'. So there! - Features Editor]
My local HMV store in downtown Toronto has put up a big DG poster advertising next week’s release. Can’t wait.
Hello David, Hello FEd, Hello everyone!
This is “my” hall! I will be here the 26th of March…just 25 days!
Fantastic!
L!
Mr Happy here again, I dont believe it. Its happened again. You do such a great job on this site but the day begins at 1 min past midnight. The latest feature (1 March)went on at 12 noon. No wonder I missed the competition yesterday. Is it me. Is the site operated from the USA where their is a time difference.
Cheers Peter Clemons
[We update as and when we can, Peter. Nobody works a regular 9-5 day, put it that way! In the case of the Mermaid Theatre entry, we had to wait for the list of winners from the BBC before we could proceed. As it happens, we felt that closing the competition at midnight would be better for UK fans, what with it being a week night. I'm sorry you missed out, but do hope you enjoy the RAH show. - Features Editor]
Hi Features Editor,
Actually, this isn’t a comment about today’s posting, but about a feature of the “Press” section of the web site.
First off, let me say that I totally enjoy most of the site, and appreciate the opportunity to read about the progress David and his band have and are making. The whole blog thing is a great idea!
But, since I have a visual impairment, I cannot access the articles in the “Press” section, as they seem to have been posted as scanned images of documents rather than as actual text files created using OCR software. (All right – I can’t access the photos either, but the captions are usually informative and descriptive!) So, my question is: Since i , and probably lots of David’s other fans, use screen-readers to read the daily blog, is there any chance that the “Press” section could be made accessible?
Thanks again for what is over all a wonderful blog experience!
Best!
Amanda
[I'm sorry to hear that, Amanda. I will be sure to pass this message on to our webmaster and we'll consider the points you raised. - Features Editor]
Its like when David just starts the Comfortably Numb solo and then like, the lights go out man and the power to amp is gone man, and then he offers to play it acoustically and the strings go man. Totally gutted for not winning anything…again..man…(slumps in chair, about to go to work again)…(walks off to find The Wall album for cheering up)
Hey! I watched David playning the sax!
Wow! He learned very well!
GREAT!
L!
beautiful theatre. bring on ze massey hall! red sky at night…what a beautiful soulfull emotional piece. david is more and more amazing each day. i can’t wait to see what he has in store for monday. a birthday party and the release of one of the greatest recordings ever (i’m assuming). woooooooohoooooooooooo!!!!! i’ve been waiting 15 years for this man to hit the road (i’m 25, i know that’s crazy, but that’s the way it is). thanks ed.
Dear Fet Ed,
I think perhaps Rudders question was relating to the “lead” rooves… they made the rooves out of lead? What? Was arsenic to hard to manage??? Thats ok… sex drugs and rock and roll will do in your brain, so whats a little lead? So long as it doesn’t collapse from the weight!
By the way… Davids’ sax playing was great! can’t wait to hear the whole track! He should do more of it! As expressive as his guitar playing!
Tim
just checked out the newest press additions. very nice, very nice, double very nice. brings a little tear to the eye to see such great response, not that i’m surprised. it’s just nice. i have to finish that article. now.
I followed the link to the album that Stephen Radovanovich posted yesterday and I’ve hooked my laptop up to my surround sound system… Wow!
Now I can’t wait for the album to be released!
after hearing red sky at night…i have a feeling this may be the new concert opener…what a great song…then the band burst straight into learning to fly…just an idea david….2 weeks today until le grand rex….cant wait
Caption Competition:
Union Representative to DG: Look Mr Gilmour pay them another $5 an hour and they will set up…
Dear all,
Am sitting here listening to Porcupine Tree as I work, and seriously loving it (“In Absentia”). Can I suggest a mini convo thread for today:
Which bands/musicians do you think are in the same vein as DG/PF? Maybe they share the same influences, are influenced by, have a similar sound..that kind of thing. For me, Porcupine Tree are one of these, but I’d love to know what others favourites are…
N
Hi, I don’t know if I can post this here, but there is a contest being done by Bell Sympatico here in Canada. The contest is for Canadian residents only and is for airfare and tickets to see David in London March 7.
Click my name.
Fedmeister
Is there any chance of getting some information on the logistics of the tour? How many people involved, who they are, how much equipment is involved, travel arrangements etc…
We all know you’re busy and you are doing a stirling job…. but remember if you do want to get through the Jedi trials…. :-))))
[I'll see if we can get some information for you next week, Rudders. - Features Editor]
Hi, we hope and we wait for 1 more possible date in Rome on 27th of March….
I hope……..
Bye to all and to Mr David Gimour, the best guitarist!!
I just had to surface from my lurking depths to comment on how fun it’s been to read the thoughts, wishes and pleas of the multitudes of David Gilmour fans. It’s been just as amusing to read the daily dose of information provided by the intrepid FeatEd. I think I can tell when the tone is amused, annoyed or teetering on the nice edge of sarcasm – would that be tongue in cheek? – but I’m not always sure.
I’ve really been enjoying all the goodies on the site and the lovely, anticipatory build-up via press clippings, itunes, advance radio spots (thank goodness for internet radio), and other marketing ventures. How fun is this?
I feel so lucky to have gotten a pair of tickets to RAH on the 29th through the pre-sale email contest. It’s actually a packed week for us as it is my daughter’s high school prom on the night before we fly out, and her graduation is the day after we return. How cruel of a mother am I to make her get up the morning after her prom and schlep it to the airport? But really, come on, how cool is it for a 17 year-old who has never been to the UK, to fly in to see David Gilmour. Ok, so I think it’s majorly cool (and actually, she does too – as well she should since listening to PF was present since inception). The only real dilemma left to decide is, do I have my daughter or husband sit with me in the good seats (we were able to secure one nose bleed seat, so at least we will all be there). Given that it is David we are talking about, I think I know which way that decision is going to go.
Karima from Washington DC
[I'm glad I'm keeping you guessing, Karima! Have a wonderful time in London. - Features Editor]
Hi everyone again!
well, after discovering that I didn’t win tickets over at the BBC Radio 2 to the Mermaid Theatre, and thinking that I had missed my opportunity to post my message last night (didn’t realize there was a deadline till I’d sent the thirty-word message and my watch read 12.01am!… Thankfully my watch was two minutes fast!) I feel absolutely emotionally exhausted. Couldn’t think about anything else at work. At work I’m driving everyone so mad that they’ve all agreed to buy “On an Island” if I stop going on about it. I’ve said to them, “When you listen to it you’ll understand why I keep going on about it!”
Anyhow, I think I’ve learned my lesson about taking a more proactive appoach in the blog instead of just reading what everyone else says. I do have a lot to say, but sometimes I feel my thoughts might just get buried beneath the hundreds and hundreds of messages. Even I find it difficult to catch up and sometiems fail to read them all. I wonder how you manage, Features Ed.? Do you have a right hand helping you sort out all this mail or do you do it all by yourself?
Now, more in relation to On an Island, I think I’ve succeeded in not listening/watching the daily videos so far. The reason for this is I really want it to be a surprise and I want to be able to listen to if for the first time on my sound system. I cannot wait.
However, I have allowed myuself to see the On an Island promo video and I have to say that I’m comepletely spellbound by it. It’s gorgeous. It’s so sweet and it’s so well recorded. There’s layer upon layer of beautiful arrangements that pop in and out of the mix here and there, so as to draw attention to the right detail at the right time, instead of overwhelming the mix. Exquisite!
And although I haven’t listened to other track I have read people’s reactions to them, which makes me more and more anxious to sample them. Not too long now.
Thanks features ed. for all the hard work and the great pics! Thought yesterday’s was particularly excellent. It’s so weird so see this part of the 1986/1994 Pink Floyd line up again. Weird but certainly most welcome.
THE TIME IS NIGH
[Hi Carlos. You can tell everyone about the Mermaid Theatre gig, OK? That can be your next mission. - Features Editor]
Hi Fed, do you have any clue or do you know something about the set-list of songs that David will play on tour… because there are less than 10 days until the tour will start and we don’t know nothing about this not even a date when this set-list will be revealed. Can you say if this is gone be a surprise and we can’t get any information until 10th march???
From today there are less than 15 days, and my dream will come true at l’Olympia in Paris on 16th march 2006, a day that I will remember all my life.
Good luck Mr. David Gilmour & co.
[It's a big secret at the moment, but you'll have a better idea on 7 March when David and his band perform in London for BBC Radio 2. - Features Editor]
I have bubbles of excitement for the winners even though I live in the US. I just think it is amazing how much work and generousity has been streamed out to us all. There sure is no “wall” being built on David’s stage! Good luck to all you UK Fans!
Hi oh Master of the Web, Well it’s been quite a 24 hours I bet. But thanks for all the hard work we all reeaaly appreciate it.
But the reason for this little episode is to ask you to say a BIG thankyou to David – all the snippets from the new cd have had me rushing each morning to listen to the latest toon, and yesterday’s and todays with all those wonderful String sections providing a backdrop for David – Just got me inspired to get back into my own little Studio – 9ft x 7 ft not quite Astoria but hey its all mine!
So today I recorded something decent for the first time in a month – so thank you again David to seem to have ended my “block”
The results are on my Soundclick if anyone wants to listen. Click my name.
Dear F Ed
I tried to gain entry to the mermaid
Even though I have not paid
But I will go to the ball
In Manchester at Bridgewater Hall.
Good luck to all those who entered yesterday & I hope the most deserving got their tickets.
I considered going to Rome to see David live, but my wife gave me one of those looks & I felt the life force being sucked from me. But the venue does look impressive. But I am sure that Manchester will be just as good. Will there be a feature on Bridgewater Hall. It was not built when I lived in Manchester, so I do not know much about it.
Richard
[There will indeed be a Bridgewater Hall feature coming very soon, Richard. It looks like a cracking venue. - Features Editor]
Dear Editor(s), & to Mr. & Mrs. Gilmour and to all the fans on this site: The venues are breath taking & elegant for sure. It is 3/1/06 and there is “only” 6 more days left I hope until ‘On an Island’ comes to the united states and my local record & book store.
Congratulations to everyone who have won tickets both in the UK and US! A mermaid? I no doubt would give up just about anything within moral reasons to see Mr. Gilmour and team in concert. I would have given my heart & soul.
Bless everyone and again keep up the fantastic work on this site.
Linda Penner
WMSVL,NY
Hi!
I don’t know from where to start….I sit here at my desk in my office… I really tride everything to get 2 thickets to David’s concert but everything is sold out.
Please help me… I want to go to this concert.
you can wright to me at gucmorcos@yahoo.com if you can send to me 2 tickets.
I’m waiting for your mail.
Thank you
Kinga
Budapest
oooh, another beautiful venue! bulbous wooden shapes on the ceiling would indeed make for great acoustics. can’t wait to hear reviews of this show.
i am handing you an imaginary pan of warm brownies to get you through the night, F. Ed. it’s all over with but the whining and gnashing of teeth, eh, plus a good bit of jumping up and down, with yells and giggles. i have confidence; you’ll do well. then perhaps you can take the afternoon off.
laurie
[Aw, bless you. - Features Editor]
Am I the only one that thinks it’s funny that Roger checked in last night on an 11:25pm post?! An apparent shot over MLOR as I took it, but these things creep out again after a cocktail or two? :-)
I’m just tickled he has joined in along with Guy into FeD’s world with the rest of us nut cases.
“Shine On” all!!
Very nice concert hall. It looks fantastic! That should very nice for the acoustic stuff and the orchestra. If anyone here goes to that show, let everyone know how it was! I’d love to hear it!
-Christian
p.s: 5 more days!
Please tell me that no, you have not finished sending emails to the winners yet, and yes, there is still hope for next week!!!??? Whatever the answers, thanks for staying up last night!
Bye,
Baptiste
Wow, last night was a little hectic to say the least!
I can`t belive the response to one feature, the David Gilmour Blog community certainly grew in number!
Re: Today’s video clip. I found it strange but at the same time fantastic to see David playing the saxaphone. Only a few days to go!!!!
rooves. yeah man. that’s the one.
Hey Fed, I bet you tell us wrong date on David’s gig in Rome: actually is 26 March (25 days to go right now)….ah, the memory of a man in his old age…. ;-)
See you there Feddy boy and my best to David: maybe I’ll obtain a so long dreamed signature from him, can you place a good word to him for me??
Cheers to all of you involved!
[Pardon me, Alessandro. I will change it right away. I hope you have a wonderful time. - Features Editor]
‘Red Sky at Night’ is beautiful! Lovely to see and hear him playing a different instrument.
Hi from Rome,
The Auditorium in Rome is a really wonderful concert hall.There is a good surrounded sound and a sweet atmosphere.
I think a lot of people is waiting for DG and his band.Here is the moment to “drink” the real music,the sound of a “clean” guitar and the occasion to sse a “human” musicist.
Thank you Dave,for your sweet white hair,for your smile,just the same….many years ago,thank you to be so “real” in a particular,strange period based on imagine you are a man, sorry, a Man.
Good night diana
Oh, and HELEN, thanks for the support!!!! We both made the Dave not David mistake!! Surely they’ll feel sorry for us and want to educate us by givin us tickets so we can spread the word further!!!!!!! Just cuz we’re silly girlies doesn’t mean we don’t LOVE DAVID!!!!!!
Folks,
I’m really surprised nobody has posted a single comment about today’s video. Red Sky at Night sounds…. well, I’m out of words… simply fantastic. I was a bit sceptical after listening to On an Island for the first time, but the other excerpts are much more interesting (sorry, I reckon I don’t like a lot Crosby and Nash’s backing choruses). I wonder how the song will be like when performed live.
Anyways, today I’ll be able to sleep much better after having heard Mr. Gilmour playing the sax… his lessons were worthwhile!
Thanks F.Ed for the videos and the contests, although as a neither UK nor US citizen, I felt a bit dissapointed, well, until I managed to get one of the choir’s tickets for May 29th!.
See you all in London!
César.
Dear Feat Ed,
It looks likes things are slow today with only 15 posts, so I thought you might have time to answer a Pink Floyd question. I came across my old 8 track tape of Animals and it reminded me that Pigs on the Wing Part I & II are joined with a guitar lead. Why wasn’t that version on the CD and is there a way to get that version?
Best Regards,
Stephen, NY USA
[Slow? Are you having a laugh?! I'll save it for the FAQs page if you don't mind. Unless someone else would like to answer for me? - Features Editor]
Hey,
I just got through listening to the entire album for the second time on a promotional site where they’re streaming it.
Pretty laid back album. It sounds like it was written by somebody who didn’t feel he had anything to prove and just wanted to make a record just for the sheer enjoyment of it.
Lots of these songs seem much better suited for a solo album than a Floyd album appropriately enough, though “Smile” sounds like it could have been off of Atom Heart Mother or some other early Floyd album.
I like the title track, but I think “Take a Breath” is even better. David definitely delivers on this album.
Fedmeister
This is torture…. waiting for an update to the site!
I think you need a Junior Assistant to the Fedmeister to help you with the mundane and repetitive tasks, to carry your bags and wipe your fevered brow leaving you to craft and sculpt the website and the blog you have so ably created and maintained…:-)
[That would be good for busy days like today. Yesterday was hectic, too. In fact, it was almost like a chatroom in here last night! My apologies to everyone for making you wait, not least for the list of competition winners. Feel free to call me all sorts of horrible names. You know you want to. - Features Editor]
The competition winners have now been announced. Please see the previous entry (‘Mermaid Theatre competition’, 28 February) to see if you are one of our lucky winners. Confirmation e-mails will follow tomorrow, but you’ll find all the details you need on that page.
Caption Competition:
Two guys bottom right: Yup… you’re right they did use this as the set for Close Encounters of the Third Kind… can you see the Alien spaceships at the back?
Congratz to the winners! Hope you have a good time!!
Congratulations to the winners – good to see so many regulars getting tickets. Travel safely and tell us all about it…
From the “out of favour” Rudders… :-)
Auditorium Parco della Musica is one of the best sites for music. It was projected by Renzo Piano, one of the world’s best and innovative architect. It has a coffee bar, a restaurant, a library with books and records. It’s in Italy as La Citè de la Musique is in Paris, France, where took place (october 2002 – january 2003)the “Interstellar” exhibition, dedicated to the Pink Floyd art (I was there, who was there?). Best music needs best places: Roger Waters Ça Ira = Sala Santa Cecilia, David Gilmour On an Island = Sala Santa Cecilia. Wonderful! I’ll be there! And all the Italian Pink Floyd Fan Club too!
thank you so much FED, you’ve made my year and my Dad’s, it’s been a dream for my Dad and Me for so long now it’s going to become true
Are we allowed to take a camera and also are we told our sitting position at the Mermaid Theatre
thanks again
Vince
[I hope you both enjoy yourselves, Vince. Sorry to keep you hanging on for so long. I'm afraid I don't know the answer to your seating question, and I doubt you can take a camera, but I'll get everything confirmed tomorrow, OK? - Features Editor]
I am over the moon features ed, thank you so much for giving me this once in a lifetime treat, I have never won anything in my life before and this is just out of this world!
I`m so excited!
Once again many THANKS.
Adrian
[You're very welcome, Adrian. Hope you enjoy. - Features Editor]
Just wanted to say thanks F’Ed….I’m going to have the best birthday ever!
Will we be seeing you there?!
PS…I’m a ‘rooves’ guy myself ;-)
[It has to be 'rooves', doesn't it? That Rudders... What's he on about, eh? Anyway, hope you enjoy. I won't be there, so I'm counting on you all to let us know the details. - Features Editor]
Great competition guys.
Thanks at least for a day of happy hopefulness and anticipation, even if I’m feeling absolutely gutted at not being one of the lucky ones.
Don’t know about us giving our right arms – I’d chewed my nails preactically down to the elbow!
Congratulations to all the lucky winners – hope you have a great evening and have a pint for the rest of us
[Sorry, mate. We could have given away twice the amount that we had to give away, and there would have still been plenty of disappointed fans. At least we can see some of it on the BBC Radio 2 website and the BBC's interactive service. More details tomorrow. - Features Editor]
The ticked-off Features Ed/Edwina wrote:
–
A smart arse, eh?
–
Oh dear, much ado about nothing ‘cept rooves! If you and Rudders are gonna have a barney, can I hold your coat. Ed.?
having waaaaaay too much fun now…
xo
Deborah
[That depends upon which side of the fence you're on. I can't have someone who uses 'roofs' holding my coat, you know. - Features Editor]
Dear friend Terje,
do you remember me? We met in Auditorium library waiting for Ça Ira premiere, with my friend Gianco… we spoke a lot about Roger Waters, about David Gilmour, about Live 8… And now we are speaking a lot about another great upcoming release: “On an Island” is an album out of time (in positive sense), coming from the heart and directed to the hearts…
What a powerful thing is music: I love Pink Floyd, David Gilmour, Roger Waters from South Italy; you love the same ones from Norway and so on, all united by these great, great musicians; all united on THIS HEAVEN!
Evening FEd,
Oh well, I didn’t see my name on the list so i guess it wasn’t meant to be.
Congratulations to all who won, i’m sure you’ll have a great time – make sure you tell the rest of us how it went.
One thing that interested me from that list of names is it shows that David obviously appeals to a male demographic – i counted only 8 women amongst the 75 competition winners. Obviously, guitar rock is still a male thing. I sense a dissertation in there somewhere, perhaps if i ever do my doctorate….
Thanks once again for doing such hard work on this, FEd.
Vicky
[I'm sorry, Vicky. You shouldn't have mentioned that you're going to all three RAH shows! We really could have given away twice as many tickets as we had to give away. Maybe even three times as many if the competition hadn't closed at midnight. We're still getting entries now, in fact. - Features Editor]
Hello everyone again…
This is my second post of the day. I got home fairly late and I was expecting to confirm my darkest suspicions that I was not to go the the Mermaid Theatre on Tuesday.
Alas, I was proved wrong! I jumped, punched the air and gave a shout that I am sure disturbed all the surrounding areas. Thank you thank you thank you so much.
If people at work thought I would shut up about David Gilmour just wait till I get to work tomorrow!!!!
No seriously. This is so good I’ve had to take some time and sit down and digest slowly the magnificent news.
Features Editor, I love you!
[Bless you, Carlos. Enjoy the show and do let us know every little detail. Oh, and give them hell at work tomorrow! - Features Editor]
Hey Fed
Gutted i didn’t win but sure the others were more deserving! My dad played with david yonks ago and david even appeared on some of my dad and uncles songs (sutherland brothers and quiver -gav’s my dad if u know them?) I missed out totally on any of my dads stuff (totally gutting)and thought i’d missed out on david’s stuff too till this comp! Oh well! I’ll keep pestering u and bbc 2 etc to see if theres any chance of tickets to anything!!!
Thanks anyway
Kelly
[I'm sorry, Kelly. I wish I'd had more to give out. You're not going to any of the UK shows? - Features Editor]
‘Ning all,
I won tickets! I can’t believe it…
I just called my Dad and told him we won, and he is quite possibly the happiest man in the entire world right now. And I am definitely the happiest girl.
Congratulations to everyone who won, see you on Tuesday…
Thank you so much FEd. I’m now going to spend the next few hours waiting for the confirmation email and hoping there isn’t anyone with the same name who blogs here..
Kxx
[Don't wait up, 'cause I'm going to bed soon! They'll be sent out tomorrow, promise. It is definitely you, so don't worry. We've got all your details, so there's nothing to worry about. I hope you and your Dad have a great time. - Features Editor]
Nice sax playing David. Makes me want to pull out the old alto, and practice up.
I too am over the moon! This is the first time I’ve ever won anything it feels like a dream!
Thank you so much!
Best wishes
Adrian
[You're welcome, Adrian. Hope you enjoy. - Features Editor]
No!! Tried to get tickets to the RAH, even the ‘returns’ etc that u guys told us about on here!!!! Not fair!!! My mum has very fond memories abour david!! Apparently he gave her advice once about how to wear her jeans!!! What a man!!! His music has been a huge part of my life (initiated cuz of daddy and stuff) and i just hope that everyone who got tickets REALLY appreciate them!!!!
Kelly
[So sorry to hear that. If any become available, we'll let you know. Unbelievably, there are still people selling them on eBay... - Features Editor]
Could be worse F.E…Our good American neighbours to the south from here in Canada verbally pronouce rooves as “ruffs”.
The very correct Ed. wrote:
–
That depends upon which side of the fence you’re on. I can’t have someone who uses ‘roofs’ holding my coat, you know.
–
I take back everything I said about you. And Dickens has always known his ‘roofs’ from his ‘rooves’ in my book, so throw me that coat, dear…
xo
Deborah
[Nice one, Deborah. I always knew you had fine taste. - Features Editor]
I’m sorry, Vicky. You shouldn’t have mentioned that you’re going to all three RAH shows!
–
What, you mean fan loyalty doesn’t get rewarded! Tch! Now you tell me! Me and my big mouth, eh ; )
(Although, it is quite heartwarming to know you are taking note of the nonsense we write!)
Anyway, as I’m already out of favour, i’m going to really cross to the Dark Side and am going to have to agree with Rudders, and say FEd, as a former English teacher, um, you’re kind of wrong about “rooves.”
Both the Oxford English Dictionary, and the Cambridge Dictionary, those bastions of all knowledge, give the plural as “roofs” and neither recognise “rooves” as a word at all.
I quote:
roof
• noun (pl. ROOFS) 1. the structure forming the upper covering of a building or vehicle. 2 the top inner surface of a covered area or space. 3 the upper limit or level of prices or wages.
Sorry mate
Vicky
[Oh, don't give me that! I should have deleted Rudders' post, shouldn't I? When did Oxford and Cambridge sell out? That's just terrible. - Features Editor]
Thanks you Features Editor for the excellent news about the tickets for next week. I look forward to my email tommorow!
Next week is going to be an excellent week, Im going out to buy the album first thing Monday and now i have the chance to hear it live on the Tuesday.
All i need now is the lottery numbers!
[Well, in that case, you want 4, 6, 18... Enjoy the show, Julian. Let us know how it goes. - Features Editor]
Trop coooool!!!! I screamed so loud I almost woke my baby up! She ‘ll be disappointed not to come with me (mind you, she is only two! so I’ll go with her mother instead!). Thanks a lot FEd, hope you have a night as good as mine!
Baptiste
[You're welcome, Baptiste. I couldn't believe your bad luck, missing David in both France and London. I hope you both have a great time. - Features Editor]
[Wayne's World Mode]
I’m not worthy! I’m not worthy!
[\Wayne's World Mode]
But my wife is, so I’m SO VERY HAPPY that we have been offered the amazing privalege of seeing, and more important listening to, David live. You guys are simply the best [bows].
P.S. I just saw David playing Sax – Helen tells me he’s only just learnt! What?! He plays like he’s played sax all his life! It ought to be illegal to have that much talent – but I’m glad it isnt! See you Tuesday!! OMG! [faint]
[We all hope that you both have a wonderful time, Paul. - Features Editor]
i know!!!!!!!! wouldn’t actually buy any tickets off ebay but must admit to looking!! they’re far too expensive tho! Serves me right for not actually writing anything on this blog sooner i s’pose! I even tried that bloody radio 2 comp bless me! Oh well, least i know i’m not the only one!!
[Far from it. Keep your fingers crossed and I'll keep mine crossed for you, too. Good luck! - Features Editor]
Kelly wrote:
–
My mum has very fond memories abour david!! Apparently he gave her advice once about how to wear her jeans!!!
–
Erm, PLEASE don’t leave me an opening like that!! It’s only asking for trouble.
not saying a word….
xo
Deborah
[I won't edit that, but I will have my coat back, thank you. - Features Editor]
Caption….Sir,please sit down! You’re blocking my view of the railing.
Ha ha deborah!!!
Think it was to do with a ‘trendy’ belt she was wearing with the jeans! He advised her to ‘wrap ir round twice!’ or somethin!!
I’m probably the only person here that doesn’t believe they’re the world’s biggest Gilmour fan, but my friend is (though he was wearing a Roger Waters Tshirt when I met him) and when he lost out on the first sale of tickets because of not being able to get regular access to a pc, I promised to keep an eye out on here for him. Been popping in and out for weeks and weeks, but never posted because I didn’t have much to say. Oh how I regret that now!!!!
I haven’t let him down completely – he’ll get my choir ticket for his 40th – but I’ve been carried along on the adrenalin of the resales and competitions and I can’t believe how down I feel right now at having lost the chance of us going to see David.
Maybe the last time I felt this bad was when my mate accidentally set fire to the caravan he was living in in 1980 and melted my vinyl copies of Animals and DSOTM, as well as about half of my entire record collection (but not including my precious Incredible String Band lps).
If anyone hears of any other way I can get my hands on tickets for a UK gig, PLEASE let me know. Can’t pay/won’t pay ebay prices partly because of poverty but mostly because of principles.
Just having trouble accepting it’s not going to happen for me.
[Sorry to disappoint you. I would have loved to have given out 150 pairs instead of 75. Of course we'll let you know if any tickets become available. - Features Editor]
Hiya F’ed!
Do you know – I never, ever win anything so I’m absolutely gobsmacked to see my name on the list – thanks so much for considering me worthy of this great honour! Strangely I’ve become an incredibly popular guy in the last few hours……but, hopefully I can pursuade my better half to have a night out – she’s had a terrible couple of days and this would cheer her up no end I reckon.
Thanks again for all your hard work – it really is greatly appreciated by us all!
Neil
[You're more than welcome, Neil. You have a good night. - Features Editor]
I`m singing “up on the rooves”(I know it should be roof), but i`ve had a few largers now to celebrate my tickets for tuesday!
I do however agree with you features ed, and for standing up for the rights of the english language.
[I knew you deserved a pair of tickets, Adrian. I just knew there was something about you that I had to reward. - Features Editor]
Fed, is this ur full time job? ur such a busy chap!! If there are any more tickets available, i’m happy to let david use my ‘limerick’ comp entry in one of his new songs – free of charge! God i’m generous aren’t i??!!
[Very generous, Kelly! Yes, this is my full time job and I meant what I said about those tickets. I can't promise anything, but stick with us, OK? - Features Editor]
Hi FEd,
I’m hoping you can help me with out with a problem. I bought tickets for David’s Amsterdam concert from a broker for myself and some friends at a ludicrous price (no surprises there). Now my friends have pulled out due to financial reasons, we live in Australia and the costs just got too much for them to afford. As you can guess, trying to sell tickets for a concert in Europe from Australia is very difficult and I refuse to place them on e-bay or re-sell them to any brokers. My main concern is that there will be two empty seats in a sold out David Gilmour concert and that is not acceptable!! I wish to offer these tickets at the face value, I paid a LOT more but I don’t care, it was my decision to pay that price and being in Australia meant that a broker was the only way for me to see my favourite musician. If there’s anybody looking for 2 tickets to the March 20 concert in Amsterdam then I hope I can offer them to you.
Thanks FEd, I hope you can post this, or else just pass my contact details on to somebody you know that is in need!
Craig.
[How about this: If anyone is interested, then they can post a message here and include their e-mail address. Then you can e-mail them and see what happens. Is that OK? - Features Editor]
I can’t believe it!
Just returned from a good night out – and i see my name on the list!!!!!!
I’m getting so excited, all these contests, pictures of venues, and the continually evolving content on this page. Teasers like David playing Sax, the new “commercial”, and even the more detailed bird flying about the page all add to my growing anticipation of the new album and concert!
Great job FEd, and all! I’ll be at Gibson on April 20th, seems like so far away, but worth the wait I’m sure!!!
Dissertation, shmissertation! Since the ratio of males to females here in Davidland is so high, what someone really should do is set up an DG-based online matching service.
Step right up, lads. Welcome to Women Who Love David Gilmour! Er, em, his music, that is.
(Ha! I’m listening to talk radio–of the LEFT wing ilk–and right now the show is playing a bit of Run Like Hell as the intro music. Seems like lots of talk radio people use PF songs as intro and “outro” music…even a right-wing blowhard based here in Atlanta, I’m ashamed to say.)
Congrats to everyone who won tickets! B*stards! (Can I say that?)
Caption Competition:
The guy bottom left to his dyslexic imaginary friend: Did you know that the rooves here are made of lead?
Dyslexic imaginary friend: KO
Fedmeister – Ok..ok… the subject is closed :-)
[I like you, Rudders. You'll always be my Fan Fare favourite. - Features Editor]
From what I heard so far from “On an island”, it’s David’s best work so far and is excellent. I can’t wait till it is in stores. The new music you hear today is all “hip hop”, Brittany Spears, Hillary Duff, Miriah Carey, et al. They are all tooo boring and sound the same. With David Gilmour, his music is done the old fashion way; no techno-this or techno-that. Real musical instruments, a guitar, his voice and a microphone. Nothing else.
Time to enter the fray with a caption for today’s blog-photo:
“Wot’s uh, the deal? Where’d the pianist go?”
Congrats to the Winners!!!! And congrats to the Keepers of the Site…this is one hell’uva way to give back to the fans!!!!
I have been away for a few days and a lot has happened. I really enjoyed the creative entries starting with “Yes please, I’d give my right arm…” Now THAT is a fun way to have a contest.
I also love yesterday’s pic with Rick and David. Was it taken by Polly? All of her pictures from the gallery are very good
I have been listening for OAI in my car, but my timing is not good. Although the songs are being posted on the OAI section of the main site along with the video clips, I have chosen not to listen to them in that way. The reason is, I remember listening to classic albums like Wish You Were Here and The Wall for the first time, in their entirety, and would like to experience this new album in the same way. I know this will be a great album. And now we’re a week away from release in the US, the anticipation is great and I can’t wait to go to the store and buy it the day it comes out, like when I was a kid, and bring it home and play it loud. Haven’t done that in years.
So thanks, David and friends, for the chance to revisit the ritual of my youth. For making music that (I’m sure) will be worthy of the ritual. And thanks, Features Editor (whoever you are) for an interesting blog.
[Thank you, Dan. - Features Editor]
Woah! I checked out the album preview today! How cool! David is the man! Seriously … I was really impressed with the new phrasing/articulation I was hearing in his solos throughout the album! Refreshing to hear rock staying rock without staying stale!
Thanks for passing my other comments on, Features Editor! All you David Gilmour staffers are great!
BTW … To all you blog commenters … Happy Rib Day – where I live, it’s the (unofficial) official start of the barbecue season as of March 1 every year! Enjoy great friends and good food, and have a great time!
Amanda
I just saw the video for ‘On an Island’ on VH1 Classic channel.
It was wonderful!
Can’t wait for the tour to start up and intersect with me here in Chicago!
I will listen to the rhythm of the hooves on the rooves of the village. I am so torn, to shamelessly pander to FeatEd in the hopes of future consideration or to tell him the truth….
Having studied linguistics in University, it is accepted that the English language will change with common useage and Dickensian spellings will indeed become archaic.
However, in this case with this word and with you having the power, I say -rooves all the way.
By the by, the little snippets of each piece on the album that I have managed to hear on the internet lead me to believe this is fabulous work. My only hope is that if David plays the bluesey piece at the concert he loosens up a bit. Perfection is lovely but the blues needs a little more down and dirty.
[Things only become archaic if you let them. Fight the power, I say. - Features Editor]