- Oh hellz yes!
The marketing line ‘got me’: What classic rock fan has not passed the Seaholm Power Plant in downtown Austin and thought a big pink pig would fit in just right?
Some local musicians, when hearing the power plant was closing its doors to any public events, decided that this vision must happen. For those who are not aware of what I am talking about, the iconic 1970s rock band Pink Floyd had an album called ‘Animals’ which has a cover of a power plant at Battersea Power Station in England with a little (well, it was really probably huge) pink pig floating above the smokestacks.
- The original 1977 ‘Animals’ album cover
The Austin based events company, Electric Company (which put the event together) is actually an event planning group that is dedicated to creating memorable and, apparently, out-of-the-box events around Austin. There certainly was a magnetic and electric vibe inside the gates, thrown in with a bit of magic. It was very exciting. The proceeds also went to Anthrops Austin, which is a group that helps under privilaged kids learn instruments and mentor them. I can dig it!
On Saturday, May 28th, we made the journey downtown to see this memorable (and hopefully awesome) event. As we went over the horizon, we saw it–the little pink pig in the smokestacks!
- Oh my god! The Seaholm Power Plant — AKA Animals!
We grabbed our seats, which happened to be a couple rows back, and waited in anticipation. Luckily the hot wind did cool down as the sun went down and we listened to a nice little jam band called, Moving Matter. Without going off on jam bands, I will say there is a simple formula that jam bands always seem to abide by: First three minutes is the actual song with a melody and theme. Then the band decides they are tired of that theme so they go into some kind of derision of the original song, playing off the beat or melody or something. Then, about 5 minutes later when you wonder if it is a different song, or perhaps many different songs later, it comes back to that original song from 8 minutes ago. That is a jam band. In total, Moving Matter I think played about 4 songs, but they were on stage an hour. Epic.
- The pig behind the stage
One thing that was particularly cute (yes, you can say ‘cute’ and ‘Pink Floyd concert’ in one article) was a delicious drink called ‘When Pigs Fly’. It was pink lemonade and Tito’s vodka, which was so good! It also made that hot wind feel a little cooler to have a nice cold glass of lemonade. Also, another nice touch were ‘The Wall’ hammers placed above the stage. Just in case the pig didn’t give away that you were about to rock out to Pink Floyd, the hammers seemingly marching above the stage certainly would.
- Tear down The Wall!
As the sun set on a beautiful power plant, the lighting, which was professionally programmed and set up by Ilios Lighting, began to do its magic. As the musicians began the intro to “Shine On You Crazy Diamond”, the smokestacks were lit up from different sides, lights washed colors onto the stage and smoke surrounded the musicians.
Due to issues I have no control over, I will never see Pink Floyd in concert, but this performance was pretty much the real deal. “Shine On…” was performed with an intensity and accuracy that I imagine Pink Floyd must have performed with. Beautiful leading guitar solo, excellent vocals, and very well played. The second song out the gate was “Pigs (Three Different Kinds)” which seemed like a gimme as you can’t have a pink pig floating above a power plant and not play one of the iconic songs off ‘Animals’.
Other songs on the first half of the show were Happiest Days of Our Lives / The Wall Part 2 (featuring the actual sound effects [think helicoptor and a man screaming “STAND STILL, LADDY!”] and real kids on stage—which was also cute. Yep, two cute references in this article!), Young lust, and Keep Talking. The lights hit different colors and targets for each song, synced with the music, and really just made any Pink Floyd fan feel like they were at home.
- Light show on the towers
- The Kids! “We don’t need no education! All in all you’re just another brick in The Wall!”
After a quick intermission, the band played on, which included the songs Sheep (again, you gotta have songs from ‘Animals’), Speak to me/Breathe, Time, Great Gig in the Sky, Wish You Were Here, Comfortably Numb, Have A Cigar, Money, Run Like Hell and Eclipse. It was absolutely beautiful. The musical direction of Chris Maresh (who also played bass) was incredibly good. There was a great mix of known and unknown songs, but the classics were played right: not only with accuracy, but certainly with a passion from the musicians. You could tell they were real Pink Floyd fans themselves. The show was so polished too, I have to assume this wasn’t the first time most of these musicians had heard, or even played, the music.
- THE AMAZING BAND!
- The Show Must Go On!
The guitarists Ullrich Ellison and Jake Langley switched up solos and songs to create a great balance and force to the music. The solos really hit the soul of the song, and the effects and tone of the guitar had the clarity and pureness that is and was distinctly Pink Floyd.
- Langley and Ellison shredding!
A friend of mine, Akina Adderly (who also plays in a fabulous band, Akina Adderly and the Vintage Playboys), sang the solo for “Great Gig in the Sky” and it was met with a standing ovation. That is not an easy feat, but she handled it with the force, grace and fragility of a great soloist.
- Sing it! AhhhaaaoooooohhhahhhhahhAHHHHHH!
I have learned that when an opportunity presents itself to be part of something that is not only once in a lifetime, but also much bigger than you, you should take it. I had to clear my calendar to go to this event, but something inside of me knew this would be epic. I knew I would regret it more not going then I would going and missing out of other things. This truly was a spiritual (well, as spiritual as Pink Floyd gets) and wonderful evening. It was also a send off party to the Seaholm Power Plant, which, what a way to go! If you were there on Saturday, you know what you experienced will never happen again, and you probably had a blast. If you didn’t make it, well, I’m sure they’ll do it again…WHEN PIGS FLY!!!
Austin Rock Girl 