On the 14th of September 2013 a most unusual event occurred. For the very first time Cymbiosis was closed for business on a Saturday. What brought this occurrence about? It was the Roger Water’s performance of “The Wall – Live” at Wembley Stadium, which was attended by Peter, Phil and Wayne. We all felt that this was something not to be missed as this may be the final tour of this epic masterpiece. We were sure that all our fellow music enthusiast customers would not begrudge us closing for this one day.

We were rewarded with what was possibly one of the greatest stadium shows of all time. The £37 million production was an immersive sensory extravaganza featuring huge Gerald Scarfe puppets, state-of-the-art animation, flying pigs, fireworks and the famous white wall that gets built up as the show progresses and knocked down at its climax. (The wall was so big that it made Wembley seem cosy).

Wayne and Phil walking into Wembley stadium

Wembley filling up before the show!

Roger Waters himself was on top form and it is remarkable to remember that he is now seventy years old. The sound system (in surround!) was excellent with Roger’s vocals and all the instrumentation being easy to follow. All the musicians put in a faultless performance, no doubt due in part to the fact that this show has been touring since 2010.

But it was the stunning animations that stole the show, becoming ever more impressive as, brick by brick, the wall is built. There were animations from the original film combined with many new and thought provoking visuals that enhanced the musical story of The Wall.

There was also a replica World War 2 fighter plane that “flew” above the heads of the audience before crashing into the wall in flames with a sound that rendered it not only believable but chilling. The infamous Pink Floyd pig also put in an appearance floating serenely around the stadium before landing in the audience where it slowly deflated.

Slowly the momentum builds to Comfortably Numb, quite possibly Pink Floyd’s most beautiful and dramatic song. A key change in the guitar solo, played by Dave Kilminster stood atop of the wall, sees the wall’s projection used to full effect as colours bleed across the screen.

Eventually the finale is reached with the wall being brought down and as the stadium lights come up we can only wonder at the sights and sounds we have just experienced as we join the throngs to wend our way home.

One final recommendation would be to get yourself a copy of the DVD when it comes out – as it surely will – to give yourselves a taste of the spectacle, which we privileged to witness first hand. You won’t regret it!