Comfortably Numb dazzles Algonquin with brand-new set
Lauded as one of the best Pink Floyd tribute bands in the world, Comfortably Numb further cemented their status by performing a new three-hour set in front of a sold-out crowd at the Algonquin Commons Theatre on Feb. 9.
Named after a song off of Pink Floyd’s 1975 album Wish You Were Here, the new show titled Welcome to the Machine consists of an array of the most popular Pink Floyd songs between 1967 and 1983. As an added bonus, the show includes some rare classics never performed live in concert.
According to the band’s website, founder and lead guitarist Azim Keshavjee – commonly known as AK – said that the band is focused on improving the show at all times.
“The shows keep evolving year after year, adding more authenticity to reproducing a live Pink Floyd show. A lot more video animation, light and laser end points from Martin A/S [a lighting manufacturer], with more and more sound effects rendered in quad sound by our production team,” said Keshavjee.
The Canadian band has been performing its unique audio-visual spectacle for audiences across North and Central America since 1993, but it’s their musicianship that ultimately attracts the crowds.
Carleton student Katie Belanger and Ottawa Civic Hospital employee Chantal Rivada, two big classic rock fans, were curious to see if Comfortably Numb could recreate Pink Floyd’s magic.
They were thoroughly impressed.
“We really wanted to see how the guitar playing was – if it would do Pink Floyd justice,” Belanger said during the intermission. “It definitely has so far.”
With a smile on her face, Rivada added that the guitar solos were very impressive and that her expectations coming in were definitely met.
Having sold-out the ACT four years in a row, Comfortably Numb is no stranger to packing venues.
In a previous interview with the Times, AK mentioned that their shows usually get great turnouts and pointed to his band’s dedication as the main factor.
“We put a lot of effort into these shows, and it shows when the house is full.”
