Tag Archive for "gdańsk" tag

There have been some new additions to the press archives, which you may not have noticed, including this – from Guitar & Bass magazine.

David talks about being out of his depth meeting Lech Walesa, reveals how to spot when he’s not feeling particularly inspired on stage, and answers a question asked a million times here: why didn’t you play anything from your first two solo albums in 2006?

Click the cover to read all.

The chatroom has opened – and closed – today, but details of the month’s remaining chat sessions can be found on the calendar.

Please check it regularly, as the times may change at short notice (although rarely do).

If you’re thinking of visiting for the first time, please don’t be shy; it’s been a pleasure meeting new fans over the last few weeks.

Here’s November’s. (Yes, just 29 days until Christmas, folks…)

It’s the very well-read Pawel, with his signed copy of ‘On an Island’.

Thanks for sending it in, Pawel.

If you haven’t seen it yet, do have a look at the new GdaÅ„sk microsite. Comments welcome.

Also, if you’re in the States, you can catch ‘Live in GdaÅ„sk’ – and lots more – as part of VH1′s all-day Pink Floyd Thanksgiving fest. That’s from 11:00 (EST).

Other programmes include the ‘Which One’s Pink?’ documentary, The Pink Floyd and Syd Barrett Story, a Classic Albums special on the making of ‘Dark Side of the Moon’, footage from the ‘P.U.L.S.E’ DVD and ‘The Wall’ film. Nothing that you haven’t seen before, I expect, but still.

There are also plenty of the usual repeats coming up. Please see the calendar for those.

Something else for you to listen to now: ‘Astronomy Domine’, over at MySpace.

The video is also there, but please bear in mind that YouTube is not the best way to enjoy Marc Brickman’s light show; it really does give a rather poor representation of the concert’s visual qualities.

If you haven’t already seen it, you can watch ‘High Hopes’ here or at Best Buy, as mentioned previously.

So, if you can spare six minutes…

Speaking of Best Buy, do note their snap of the five-disc set.

The poster, you might like to know, is double-sided: showing David with the Solidarity Monument (to Fallen Shipyard Workers) on one side, and a view from the stage captured during the show on the other.

As you can see from this shot of Polly’s, the Monument looms large over much more than Solidarity Square. Consisting of three steel crosses upon which anchors are mounted, it’s some 42 metres in height and stands on the spot where the first three victims of the 1970 workers’ strikes lost their lives.

The photographs were taken by Polly and Anna WÅ‚och.

It was the final concert of the ‘On an Island’ tour. Were you there? If so, you should know by now that we’re always curious to find out what you remember most clearly and most fondly.

Two quick things to note about the live album:

1. There is not going to be a Blu-ray release.
2. There will be subtitles on the DVDs.

The following languages will be available: Cantonese, Dutch, English, French (including Canadian), German, Italian, Japanese, (simplified) Mandarin, Polish, Portuguese and Spanish (including Latin American).

If you’re craving more from GdaÅ„sk, you’ll be able to see just short of three minutes from ‘Comfortably Numb’ at Amazon tomorrow. Watch out for other snippets coming to Amazon UK, Fender and AOL this week. More on those when they’re live.

By the way, did you ever see anything at AOL, Best Buy, Borders or Yahoo? I didn’t.

Release date: 15 22 September 2008 (Europe), 16 23 September 2008 (North America).

Available formats (for the basics in table form, please click here):

- Two-disc version: Two CDs. Packaged in a gatefold card sleeve with 12-page booklet.

Disc One: ‘Speak To Me’, ‘Breathe’, ‘Time’, ‘Breathe (Reprise)’, ‘Castellorizon’, ‘On an Island’, ‘The Blue’, ‘Red Sky at Night’, ‘This Heaven’, ‘Then I Close My Eyes’, ‘Smile’, ‘Take a Breath’, ‘A Pocketful of Stones’, ‘Where We Start’. Disc Two: ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’, ‘Astronomy Domine’, ‘Fat Old Sun’, ‘High Hopes’, ‘Echoes’, ‘Wish You Were Here’, ‘A Great Day For Freedom’, ‘Comfortably Numb’. Recorded live in GdaÅ„sk, 26 August 2006.

- Three-disc version: Two CDs, one DVD. Packaged in a gatefold card sleeve with 12-page booklet.

Disc One: ‘Speak To Me’, ‘Breathe’, ‘Time’, ‘Breathe (Reprise)’, ‘Castellorizon’, ‘On an Island’, ‘The Blue’, ‘Red Sky at Night’, ‘This Heaven’, ‘Then I Close My Eyes’, ‘Smile’, ‘Take a Breath’, ‘A Pocketful of Stones’, ‘Where We Start’. Disc Two: ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’, ‘Astronomy Domine’, ‘Fat Old Sun’, ‘High Hopes’, ‘Echoes’, ‘Wish You Were Here’, ‘A Great Day For Freedom’, ‘Comfortably Numb’. Recorded live in GdaÅ„sk, 26 August 2006.

DVD includes 114 minutes of concert footage, plus a 36-minute documentary. Tracks on the DVD are: the complete ‘On an Island’ album, ‘A Great Day For Freedom’, ‘Astronomy Domine’, ‘Comfortably Numb’, ‘Echoes’ and ‘High Hopes’. Recorded live in GdaÅ„sk, 26 August 2006.

This DVD also includes a web pass to download 12 bonus live tracks from other concerts from the ‘On an Island’ tour – free: ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’ (Venice, 12 August 2006), ‘Dominoes’ (Paris, 15 March 2006), ‘The Blue’ (Vienne, 31 July 2006), ‘Take a Breath’ (Munich, 29 July 2006), ‘Wish You Were Here’ (Glasgow, 27 May 2006), ‘Coming Back To Life’ (Florence, 2 August 2006), ‘Find The Cost of Freedom’ (Manchester, 26 May 2006), ‘This Heaven’ (Vienne, 31 July 2006), ‘On The Turning Away’ (Venice, 12 August 2006), ‘Wearing The Inside Out’ (Milan, 25 March 2006), ‘A Pocketful of Stones’ (Vienne, 31 July 2006), ‘Where We Start’ (Vienne, 31 July 2006).

- Four-disc version: Two CDs, two DVDs. Packaged in a gatefold card sleeve with 12-page booklet.

Disc One: ‘Speak To Me’, ‘Breathe’, ‘Time’, ‘Breathe (Reprise)’, ‘Castellorizon’, ‘On an Island’, ‘The Blue’, ‘Red Sky at Night’, ‘This Heaven’, ‘Then I Close My Eyes’, ‘Smile’, ‘Take a Breath’, ‘A Pocketful of Stones’, ‘Where We Start’. Disc Two:
‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’, ‘Astronomy Domine’, ‘Fat Old Sun’, ‘High Hopes’, ‘Echoes’, ‘Wish You Were Here’, ‘A Great Day For Freedom’, ‘Comfortably Numb’. Recorded live in GdaÅ„sk, 26 August 2006.

DVD includes 114 minutes of concert footage, plus a 36-minute documentary. Tracks on the DVD are: the complete ‘On an Island’ album, ‘A Great Day For Freedom’, ‘Astronomy Domine’, ‘Comfortably Numb’, ‘Echoes’ and ‘High Hopes’. Recorded live in GdaÅ„sk, 26 August 2006.

This DVD also includes a web pass to download 12 bonus live tracks from other concerts from the ‘On an Island’ tour – free: ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’ (Venice, 12 August 2006), ‘Dominoes’ (Paris, 15 March 2006), ‘The Blue’ (Vienne, 31 July 2006), ‘Take a Breath’ (Munich, 29 July 2006), ‘Wish You Were Here’ (Glasgow, 27 May 2006), ‘Coming Back To Life’ (Florence, 2 August 2006), ‘Find The Cost of Freedom’ (Manchester, 26 May 2006), ‘This Heaven’ (Vienne, 31 July 2006), ‘On The Turning Away’ (Venice, 12 August 2006), ‘Wearing The Inside Out’ (Milan, 25 March 2006), ‘A Pocketful of Stones’ (Vienne, 31 July 2006), ‘Where We Start’ (Vienne, 31 July 2006).

The second DVD includes a 5.1 surround-sound mix of the ‘On an Island’ album, three new Barn jams (recorded January 2007) and the following audio-visual tracks: ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’, ‘Wearing The Inside Out’ and ‘Comfortably Numb’ (from the Mermaid Theatre, 7 March 2006), ‘On an Island’ and ‘High Hopes’ (from the AOL Sessions, April 2006) and ‘The Blue’, ‘Take a Breath’ and ‘Echoes’ (from ‘Live from Abbey Road’, August 2006).

- Five-disc version/Deluxe: Three CDs, two DVDs. Boxed, with 20-page booklet and tour memorabilia.

Disc One: ‘Speak To Me’, ‘Breathe’, ‘Time’, ‘Breathe (Reprise)’, ‘Castellorizon’, ‘On an Island’, ‘The Blue’, ‘Red Sky at Night’, ‘This Heaven’, ‘Then I Close My Eyes’, ‘Smile’, ‘Take a Breath’, ‘A Pocketful of Stones’, ‘Where We Start’. Disc Two:
‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’, ‘Astronomy Domine’, ‘Fat Old Sun’, ‘High Hopes’, ‘Echoes’, ‘Wish You Were Here’, ‘A Great Day For Freedom’, ‘Comfortably Numb’. Recorded live in GdaÅ„sk, 26 August 2006.

Bonus CD has 12 live tracks from other concerts from the ‘On an Island’ tour: ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’ (Venice, 12 August 2006), ‘Dominoes’ (Paris, 15 March 2006), ‘The Blue’ (Vienne, 31 July 2006), ‘Take a Breath’ (Munich, 29 July 2006), ‘Wish You Were Here’ (Glasgow, 27 May 2006), ‘Coming Back To Life’ (Florence, 2 August 2006), ‘Find The Cost of Freedom’ (Manchester, 26 May 2006), ‘This Heaven’ (Vienne, 31 July 2006), ‘On The Turning Away’ (Venice, 12 August 2006), ‘Wearing The Inside Out’ (Milan, 25 March 2006), ‘A Pocketful of Stones’ (Vienne, 31 July 2006), ‘Where We Start’ (Vienne, 31 July 2006).

DVD includes 114 minutes of concert footage, plus a 36-minute documentary. Tracks on the DVD are: the complete ‘On an Island’ album, ‘A Great Day For Freedom’, ‘Astronomy Domine’, ‘Comfortably Numb’, ‘Echoes’ and ‘High Hopes’. Recorded live in GdaÅ„sk, 26 August 2006.

The second DVD includes a 5.1 surround-sound mix of the ‘On an Island’ album, three new Barn jams and the following audio-visual tracks: ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’, ‘Wearing The Inside Out’ and ‘Comfortably Numb’ (from the Mermaid Theatre, 7 March 2006), ‘On an Island’ and ‘High Hopes’ (from the AOL Sessions, April 2006) and ‘The Blue’, ‘Take a Breath’ and ‘Echoes’ (from ‘Live from Abbey Road’, August 2006).

Memorabilia consists of: a reproduction postcard, ticket, backstage pass and artist’s pass; a large double-sided poster, a guitar pick/plectrum and seven photographs.

- Five-disc vinyl version: Five LPs. Boxed, with a 20-page booklet and web pass to download concert.

LP #1: ‘Speak To Me’, ‘Breathe’, ‘Time’, ‘Breathe (Reprise)’, ‘Castellorizon’, ‘On an Island’, ‘The Blue’, ‘Red Sky at Night’, ‘This Heaven’. LP #2: ‘Then I Close My Eyes’, ‘Smile’, ‘Take a Breath’, ‘A Pocketful of Stones’, ‘Where We Start’. LP #3: ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’, ‘Wot’s… Uh The Deal’, ‘Astronomy Domine’, ‘Fat Old Sun’, ‘High Hopes’. LP #4: ‘Echoes’, ‘Wish You Were Here’, ‘A Great Day For Freedom’, ‘Comfortably Numb’.

Fifth LP includes ‘On The Turning Away’ (Venice, 12 August 2006), ‘The Blue’ and ‘Echoes’ (from ‘Live from Abbey Road’, August 2006), plus two Barn jams (recorded January 2007).

Performing at Gdańsk were: David Gilmour (Guitars, Vocals, Saxophone), Phil Manzanera (Guitar), Richard Wright (Keyboard, Hammond Organ), Guy Pratt (Bass), Jon Carin (Keyboard, Lap Steel), Steve DiStanislao (Drums), Dick Parry (Saxophone), Leszek Możdżer (Piano) and The Symphony Orchestra of the Polish Baltic Philharmonic, conducted by Zbigniew Preisner.

Facts about the concert and what it commemorated:

GdaÅ„sk was the final show of the ‘On an Island’ tour: 26 August 2006. It was also David’s first ever performance in Poland.

It marked the 26th anniversary of the founding of Solidarity, the inspirational trade union.

Solidarity was founded in the GdaÅ„sk shipyard in September 1980, after strikes the previous month by shipyard workers – the first successful strike behind the Iron Curtain.

David was invited to perform in GdaÅ„sk by Poland’s former President and Solidarity leader, Lech WaÅ‚Ä™sa, and the Mayor of GdaÅ„sk, PaweÅ‚ Adamowicz.

GdaÅ„sk is the sixth-largest city in Poland, as well as the country’s maritime capital.

The Polish Baltic Philharmonic Orchestra was conducted by Polish composer, Zbigniew Preisner.

Renowned Polish pianist, Leszek Możdżer, also joined David and the band on-stage.

All of the songs from David’s ‘On an Island’ album featured orchestral accompaniment, as well as ‘A Great Day For Freedom’, ‘Comfortably Numb’ and ‘High Hopes’.

The arrangements on the Pink Floyd tracks are by the late Michael Kamen.

‘A Great Day For Freedom’, a song about the optimism which followed the collapse of the Berlin Wall (from Pink Floyd’s 1994 album, ‘The Division Bell’), was only performed once during the 2006 tour – in GdaÅ„sk.

Here’s a first peek at what will be the cover of David’s ‘Live in GdaÅ„sk’ album, due to be released, it is hoped, sometime in September.

Please click for a closer look.

You can just about make out the large Solidarność banner at the foot of the stage, signifying the 26th anniversary of the founding of Solidarity, the inspirational trade union which helped defeat communism in Eastern Europe.

David was invited to help mark the occasion by Poland’s former President and leader of Solidarity, Lech WaÅ‚Ä™sa, and the Mayor of GdaÅ„sk, PaweÅ‚ Adamowicz.

Do you like it? Your thoughts, as always, are welcome.

There’s also a new tune from Wireman on the homepage today, so be sure to listen out for that.

Enjoy the extended weekend, if you have one. The Blog will be back on Tuesday, with the chatroom open from 15:00 (UK).

You know that David will be putting out a live album in the not-too-distant future, right? And that it will be a recording of the GdaÅ„sk concert from August 2006, with ‘assorted extras’ thrown in?

Well, David doesn’t want to give too much away just yet, because it’s obviously still a work in progress and things do change, but I can say that there will be a documentary included in some shape or form.

And that’s all I can say, but speculate yourselves silly, if you wish.

A bonus disc? Audio? Video? Maybe a means of viewing online, or perhaps it’s something you download? Is it only about GdaÅ„sk? Is it an edit of ‘Remember That Night’ material, or made up of brand new footage?

So many questions, yet no answer other than the usual apologetic repetition about how that’s all you’re getting for now, unfortunately. There’ll be more when the time is right.

Still, it’ll be good to know what your inquisitive little minds are thinking, and hoping for, right about now. I think I can hear the whirring and clunking from here…

That’s all for another week, so enjoy the weekend. (Perhaps you’ll find time for one last check of the ‘Remember That Night’ DVD before every disputable ‘Easter Egg’ is listed next week?)

Oh, how many times you’ve asked about a live CD…

Well, there is going to be one.

It will be from last August’s GdaÅ„sk concert.

It will be out sometime next year.

There will be one or two assorted extras thrown in for good measure…

And that’s all you’re getting for now, so please don’t bother asking for more. This is obviously a work in progress (with any ‘assorted extras’ as yet undecided, by the way).

There’ll be more on this as and when details are confirmed, so stick with me.

That wasn’t such a bad start to the week, was it?

The Maestro Rover has been an important (and often overlooked) piece to Gilmour’s sound for many years. Since using them myself for quite a while now, I cannot see going without them… and I fear the day they will eventually die. Years ago, you and Pete Cornish developed 100 watt variations of this unique, aging and difficult-to-replace unit. Any hope of that design being released to the public, or an amp builder for limited production some day? (Gary Griffith)

David only used the Rovers when recording the ‘Division Bell’ album. To recreate this sound live for the ensuing tour (as the Rovers are low powered, therefore too quiet and not suitable for large stages alongside his 4 x 12 cabinets), I decided to replicate the Rover sound and function with a high powered version utilising not one, but two, stacked high powered 6″ drivers. I asked Paul Leader from Leader Sound to source the motors and work out the speed control system for me. Between us, we put together the ‘Doppolas’, as they were christened. The guitar audio signal is first eq’d with a modified Boss GE 7 graphic; this then goes into a Hiwatt amplifier and then into the Doppola through mercury contacts to the drivers. There are no plans to make them available.

You know the part of ‘Comfortably Numb’ David plays, when the mirror ball starts to open on the ’94 tour, what exactly does he add to achieve this sound? Is it simply more delay? (Kristopher Junner)

Yes.

Is it true that during the late ’60s and early ’70s David used a pedal called Orange Treble and Bass Booster? If not, what effect was used live and in the studio to create his overdrive tone (e.g. from ‘Embryo’, ‘Cymbaline’ or ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’)? Or maybe it was good old Fuzz Face? (Rafal)

Mostly, he used a Colorsound Treble and Bass Booster, a Fuzz Face and an EH Big Muff.

A year on from the first live shows, I wondered which items stick out in your mind as being symbolic of David’s ‘On an Island’ tour?

If you could list no more than six ‘things’ that will forever embody the album/tour experience for you, what would you choose?

Thanks to Luis G for inadvertently giving me the idea for today’s entry with his recent reference to David’s guitar strap, which once belonged to Jimi Hendrix.

Some other memorable ‘items’ could include Guy’s ‘Didn’t They Do Well?’ T-shirt, Polly’s photos, Ian’s exquisite Glassman statue… or our very own blog.

If you’re wondering about the photo above, then that’s Igor Sklyarov, a glass harmonica player who performs with his own trio. He was spotted by David busking on the streets of Venice and was invited to perform the wine glass intro to ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’ at the Piazza San Marco, which was undoubtedly one of the many highlights of the tour.

There is a chat later today. Doors open at 3PM and close at 5PM (UK). Feel free to drop in. Everyone is welcome to come and discuss their tour highlights, or whatever else they fancy.

Just please take note of the rules, written in red, on your way in. Some things are not open to discussion, for obvious reasons.

The rules will be the first thing you see when you enter the chatroom.

Here are a few more of Stevie’s answers to your questions. More to follow soon.

Which was the most enjoyable concert for you on David’s tour? (Lesley)

All of the shows were great, but I’d have to say The Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, mainly because my family was there. My Mother was literally in tears that night seeing me up there and even though my Dad had never heard of Pink Floyd (he’s a WWII vet and into Benny Goodman and Big Band music) he was totally blown away by David and the whole experience. I think it was his first real rock concert and he’s 80 years old. Now that’s a hip Dad. Also, a lot of my mates came to the show and are still in disbelief… Of course I have to mention the Royal Albert Hall shows, Vienne, then there was Gdansk and Abbey Road… It’s all just so great!

What has been the most beautiful city that you have visited during the tour? (Claudio)

I really enjoyed the beauty of Austria and the unique quality of Venice, Italy.

Guy has kindly answered many of the questions you sent in, and they’ll be here over the next few days… Starting today with some questions about taking ‘On an Island’ on the road.

Thanks to those who submitted the following five.

That’s all for yet another week, unfortunately.

There’s much more to come from Guy next week, as well as more chats, the last of the mystery shoes (so get the tissues ready if you didn’t get them ready the last time I told you to), as well as details of a brilliant competition for the ladies.

Don’t ask, ’cause I ain’t telling. It wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you, would it?

I’ll also reveal what you chose as your favourite of Polly’s photographs.

Have a great weekend, everyone.

Which was your favourite venue/gig during the ‘On an Island’ tour? (KenF)

All of them. Although Gdańsk was a bit special… As was Venice.

What were the stand-out moments from the ‘On an Island’ tour? (Victor)

It was one big stand-out moment. I really can’t express just how great it was, the combination of friends, family, great crew, great music, lovely venues and great audiences.

Did the rest of the band have any input to the set list for the ‘On an Island’ tour or did David decide? (Andy)

We were asked for suggestions, but then basically ignored.

On the Summer Tour 2006, David took the train from Linz to Munich. Did you and the other band members also travel by train? (Werner)

We did, and were none too happy when we found out that our six-hour two-train journey only took two hours by road…

Where can I get me a ‘Didn’t They Do Well?’ T-shirt?! (Julie Gunn Davies)

Savage London on Portobello Road knocked them up for me.

How can you sum up the ‘On an Island’ Tour journey? (Patoch’)

Too short.

The countdown to determine your favourite of Polly’s ‘On an Island’ tour photos continues with this one, voted your second favourite.

It’s from GdaÅ„sk, it polled 18% of your votes and you can see it in its full glory by clicking here.

Keep reading for your top choice, which is coming soon.

The next chat is tomorrow at 4PM (UK time), if you can make it.

Please take note of the red text that welcomes you, as this is a reminder of the chatroom rules.

Thank you.

There’s still time to enter the latest competition. I’ll announce the winner tomorrow.

Belgian radio station, Classic 21, will be broadcasting tracks recorded live at David’s Mermaid Theatre concert tomorrow at about this time.

So, if you’re mourning the end of the tour, this could be just the fix you need.

You can listen live online from 9PM local (Central European) time. Just click the banner to enter the site and then click >24k or >128k to open a media player.

To find out what 9PM CET means in terms of your local time, and to brush up on your geography skills while you’re at it, see here.

I hope you’ve seen the latest photos from GdaÅ„sk over in the Galleries. There are some great ones, including the one above, so do have a butcher’s.

Many thanks to everyone who has popped into the chatroom over the last two days. Do continue to let me know what you think of it, and if you’ll ever consider going back for more.

The next chat will be tomorrow at 5PM UK time.

Please keep checking the calendar for details of the latest scheduled chat sessions.

That’s all for the weekend. Have a good one.

With David’s triumphant 32-date tour done and dusted, I wondered: what are your stand-out memories from the tour?

I’d like to compile your thoughts into a poll so that we can vote on a short-list and see which the fans consider to be its best, and worst, moments.

So far, the best moments for me are (in order of date):

- Realising that ‘Echoes’ was being performed
- The live version of ‘Take A Breath’
- David and the band appearing on Jay Leno
- The Royal Albert Hall fighting eBay
- David Bowie singing ‘Arnold Layne’
- The wine glass intro to ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’
- David’s surprise rendition of ‘Dark Globe’
- The great honour and significance of being invited to Gdańsk

Perhaps we could do one for the worst moments of the tour, too. The incident at JFK airport, the postponement of the Venice shows, endless ticketing confusion, people constantly flashing their bloody cameras, venues selling alcohol to people who clearly couldn’t cope with it…

Whatever sticks out in your mind, let us know. No long lists, please. We all want to know why, not just read through long, boring lists.

The most common suggestions will be included in the two polls, which will run over the next few weeks.

It’s the last show of the tour tonight, but the band are bowing out on a real high.

As many as 100,000 people could be in the famous GdaÅ„sk shipyards to witness David’s first ever performance in Poland in celebration of Solidarity.

Let us know if you’ll be in this vast crowd. We’d love to hear from you.

GdaÅ„sk is the sixth-largest city in Poland and the country’s maritime capital. The GdaÅ„sk shipyard (Stocznia GdaÅ„ska) is one of Poland’s biggest and it is here that Solidarity was founded in September 1980, after strikes the previous month by shipyard workers – the first successful strike in the history of the USSR.

The strikes in August 1980 were triggered by the sacking of Anna Walentynowicz, a crane driver who had dared to demand better working conditions, including a warm meal for staff.

The protest gave rise to a wave of strikes over much of the country.

This led to the signing of the Gdańsk Agreement, which gave Polish workers the right to strike and to organise their own independent union and, therefore, the founding of the first free labour union in the eastern bloc: Solidarity.

This movement for fundamental freedoms led to the restoration of democracy in Poland and inspired many others to follow their lead in undermining communism.

In 1970, workers chose to strike at the Lenin shipyard, as it was then known. This time, peaceful demonstrators were shot down by tanks. This makes the events of 1980 all the more remarkable, as many of the same workers were involved a decade on.

GdaÅ„sk’s motto – Fearlessly, but reasonably - is certainly very apt.

The above photo of the Gdańsk shipyards was taken by John Robertson, who we thank for his kind co-operation.

As we did for all the other European shows, here we have a dedicated page for anyone who will be going to Gdańsk on Saturday to arrange a suitable place to meet other fans before the concert.

Please note that no e-mail addresses or links to fansites will be published, merely a recognised venue and an approximate meeting time.

So, if you know of any good places in Gdańsk to meet before the show, do send your suggestions.

Please note that, as I’ll be in Poland, there’ll be a temporary guest editor for the next day or two. Therefore, only posts about meeting places in GdaÅ„sk will be published until my return.

If you can clearly write GDAŃSK MEET-UP SUGGESTION at the start of your post, and keep it brief and question-free, it will be published – and much appreciated.

All other comments will be ignored for the time being, unfortunately.

Thanks.

A week from now, David will perform for the very first time in Poland for some 100,000 people at the request of Poland’s former President, Lech Walesa, and the Major of GdaÅ„sk, Pawel Adamowicz.

It will mark the 26th anniversary of the founding of Solidarity, the trade union which inspired millions to challenge communism in Eastern Europe.

A movement started by Gdańsk shipyard workers and led by Lech Walesa, Solidarity peacefully fought against oppression and injustice. Martial law was declared in Poland, Solidarity was made illegal and most of its leaders were imprisoned.

Still, they persevered and, in 1989, formed a coalition government which ended the Soviet hold that had existed in Poland since 1947.

They proved that you can bring about regime change by way of negotiation, without the use of force.

They inspired others to follow their lead.

This time next week, with a 40-piece orchestra conducted by famed Polish composer, Zbigniew Preisner, David and his band will honour Solidarity with what promises to be an extraordinary concert.

We hope that it will mean as much to you as it does to everybody involved.

Last week was a miserable one and, for obvious reasons, nothing seemed to matter very much.

We’re going to move on now, but first, in case you’ve missed anything, here’s a brief round-up of what I would have reported in more detail last week were it not for the tragic news about Syd.

There’s now a seating plan for the Venice concert. Please see the Live Dates page for the plan in PDF format.

You’ll also see ticket details for the GdaÅ„sk concert on the Live Dates page. That’s going to be an amazing show.  David will have a 38-piece orchestra behind him, conducted by Zbigniew Preisner.

As we were discussing the ‘P.U.L.S.E’ DVD (yes, we’re spelling it this way from now on), we’ve added a poll for you to cast your vote and let us know how you rate it. There’ll be a new poll added on a regular basis. Please see the Stuff & Nonsense page for that.

David’s first two solo albums have been delayed. They’re now out on 14 and 15 August in Europe and North America respectively. Please note that the various fansites are incorrect in stating that there will be extra tracks. There is no bonus material included with these albums.

Lastly, a few words in response to certain comments received last week.

Above all, our deep thanks once again for the great many kind, thoughtful and incredibly moving messages that were left. They were vastly appreciated and responsible for plenty of tears.

But frankly I have been sickened by the number of people who have used this forum – and, more importantly, Syd’s name – to insensitively and shamelessly push their own agenda, be it advertising their tribute act, plugging their website or banging on about a Pink Floyd reunion.

I don’t care if it was for the sake of a charitable cause. It was the wrong time and the wrong place and I strongly object to a space set up in Syd’s memory, purely for people who cared about him to pay their respects (not people merely seizing an opportunity to tell David what he ought to be doing to save the world), being targeted and bombarded with demands.

You are, of course, free to tell us how you will honour Syd’s memory if you want to. But don’t tell us what you think David, or the other members of Pink Floyd, should be doing. That is for them to decide, not fans who so desperately want to see a reunion, they don’t care how it comes about.

For God’s sake, have and show some respect. We have lost the man who gave the world the band you claim to love so much. Is a concert of any importance?

Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but there’s a time and a place to express it. To start spewing out the usual tired demands last week was wholly inappropriate and, on behalf of anyone with a heart and more than half a brain, I say shame on you for not realising it.

So, how do you all like the ‘P.U.L.S.E’ DVD? Was it worth the wait?

If you’re in Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand or the US, then you have to wait one more day, unfortunately. But do let us know what you think of it if you got your copy today – approximately four hours after you’ve bought it, I would imagine.

Fans in Austria, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Italy and Switzerland have had all weekend to play it. What did you make of it?

Belgian radio station, Classic 21, is having a ‘P.U.L.S.E’ Day and you’re all welcome to listen online. (Merci, Michèle!) Just click on the banner to enter the site, then click either 24k or 128k to listen live. There’s a competition to win a copy of the DVD, too. Scroll down the homepage for the banner. You can’t miss those eyeballs.

The same applies to UK station, Planet Rock, where some DVDs will also be given away. Listen to Nicky Horne’s show from 8PM. He’ll also be talking to Pink Floyd, recorded at last week’s ‘P.U.L.S.E’ screening. (Thanks to CJD for letting us know about this.)

Details of the GdaÅ„sk concert are expected later today. If we get the relevant information, it will be on the Latest News page for those of you who’d like to attend what promises to be an incredible concert.

We’re delighted to be able to announce another date for David’s summer tour of Europe.

David and the band will now be visiting Poland, as well as Austria, Germany, France and Italy.

The show in GdaÅ„sk will be before a whopping crowd of 100,000 and marks the 26th anniversary of Poland’s 1980 revolution, where nation-wide strikes led to the eventual fall of communism.

Pawel Adamowicz, Major of GdaÅ„sk, has invited David to perform a special concert in the GdaÅ„sk Shipyards on Saturday 26 August – a national holiday in Poland, as it commemorates the day in which the Solidarity trade union was founded.

Further details, as always, will be at davidgilmour.com just as soon as we have them.