Wish you were there? Comfortably Numb returns to college with electrifying show

Pink Floyd tribute band delivers another mesmerizing performance at the Algonquin Commons Theatre
Photo: Bradley Richards
Two of the five members of Comfortably Numb, Chris Houle and Azim (AK) Keshavjee.

Comfortably Numb – Canada’s Pink Floyd Show wrapped up another sold-out concert at the Algonquin Commons Theatre on Jan. 25 after also selling out their previous eight performances at the college.

In an interview with the Algonquin Times, Azim (AK) Keshavjee, the band’s lead singer and guitarist, spoke about the band returning to the ACT for the first time since their last performance on Jan. 27, 2024.

“We love coming here, its an excellent venue, excellent staff, excellent crew that work here,” said Keshavjee, a former student at the college who studied in a culinary program before hopping into a van and touring the country as a musician.

“Everyone is really polite and pleasant even when there are challenges that we face, whatever they are, sound or lighting, you know. Everyone works together as a team and gets it sorted so it’s an outstanding venue.”

The band has developed a reputation giving audiences an authentic Pink Floyd experience, and this show was no different. The combination of incredible vocals and masterful instrumental solos made for an impressive homage to Pink Floyd’s music.

Comfortably Numb on stage at the ACT. Geneviève (Gin) Bourgeois, Chris Houle, Azim (AK) Keshavjee, Brent Hultquist, Paul (Otis) Oatway.
Comfortably Numb on stage at the ACT: Geneviève (Gin) Bourgeois, Chris Houle, Azim (AK) Keshavjee, Brent Hultquist and Paul (Otis) Oatway. Photo credit: Bradley Richards

The music was accompanied by hypnotic lights and mind-bending graphics on a large projector screen complementing the songs. During the band’s rendition of Welcome to the Machine, cartoonish machinery beamed onto the projector screen.

Audience member Mark Waymann was impressed with the performance — and it wasn’t his first time seeing it.

“It’s excellent,” Waymann said. “I’m not even sure how many times I’ve seen them, eight times probably.”

Another audience member, Kris Cybanski, said it was his first time seeing the tribute band and they were “fantastic.”

“I’m not even a Pink Floyd guy and I’m getting blown away,” Cybanski said. “I haven’t seen a good light show like that in probably 20 years.”

Waymann and Cybanski weren’t alone in their enthusiasm. The room filled with loud cheering and clapping after every song, with the audience even joining in to sing along during the song Another Brick in the Wall Pt. 2.

Since the band’s formation in 1993, they have developed a loyal fanbase after more than 30 years of performing.

“There are people that I’ve seen that have followed us around from city to city. We recently played Vancouver and people from Ottawa flew to Vancouver that we don’t even know to come see the show, so really, it’s a testament to the band,” Keshavjee said.

Two of the five members of Comfortably numb, Chris Houle and Azim (AK) Keshavjee.
Two of the five members of Comfortably Numb, Chris Houle and Azim (AK) Keshavjee. Photo credit: Bradley Richards

The latest performance at the ACT was part of their Wish You Were Here and The Wall Tour 2025 celebrating the 50-year anniversary of Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here album. The show lasted a full three hours, aside from a brief intermission halfway through.

Keshavjee has a long-standing relationship with the staff and school from his time as a student and said he always appreciates the chance to return.

“It’s like home you know. We all love coming here, it’s a really lovely experience,” he said.

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