Chicago: United Center; Night Two

Friday night, it’s snowing, and back to the United Center for the third and final concert in Chicago. Before each concert there is a series of sound effects which have various Pink Floyd references: a plane flying overhead; the sound of a helicopter; birdsong; a man talking. Some may notice, others are too caught up in the anticipation of the concert, cheering the movement of the guitar techs as they do their final tuning.

Last night the fans were on their feet from the start, cheering and roaring on every song, and giving a warm round of applause to João Mello’s terrific sax solo in Us And Them.

In the audience were Rick Wright’s daughter, son and grandson; he is sorely missed and remembered by the song A Boat Lies Waiting, which features Rick’s spoken voice.

Steve DiStanislao was again magnificent on drums, powering the band along, and his striking of the bell at the beginning of High Hopes is always a concert highlight.

The lasers during Comfortably Numb ratchet up the excitement, matching David’s soloing and providing powerful visual images to accompany one of the most iconic guitar solos in rock history.

The band took their final bow and it was time to leave Chicago and head for the final stage of the tour, New York. Chicago had one final surprise as the band exited the venue: three inches of snow had fallen during the concert.

For the 48-strong crew it was three hours more hard work, breaking the set down, loading the seven trucks and driving the 790 miles through the night to New York.

The setlist had an extra song with the inclusion of On An Island.

Last night’s setlist was…

First Set: 5 A.M.; Rattle That Lock; Faces Of Stone; Wish You Were Here; What Do You Want From Me; A Boat Lies Waiting; The Blue; Money; Us And Them; In Any Tongue; High Hopes.

Second Set: Astronomy Domine; Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts 1-5); Fat Old Sun; Coming Back To Life; On An Island; The Girl In The Yellow Dress; Today; Sorrow; Run Like Hell.

Encores: Time/Breathe (reprise); Comfortably Numb.