As the Get My Guitar team, we had the incredible opportunity to witness David Gilmour live at Madison Square Garden, in the heart of the iconic city of New York. The legendary guitarist delivered a breathtaking performance that blended the timeless magic of Pink Floyd with the emotional depth of his latest album, Luck and Strange. Set against the backdrop of one of the world’s most famous venues, the evening was a testament to Gilmour’s enduring artistry, his mastery as both a guitarist and vocalist, and his ability to connect deeply with his audience. The setlist spanned decades, the visuals were stunning, and the experience was nothing short of magical.

A Unique Tour and an Iconic Venue

David Gilmour’s tour for Luck and Strange was unique in its structure. Rather than a traditional sweeping tour, he chose to perform multiple nights at iconic venues in select cities, including Rome, London, Los Angeles, and finally New York City. This intimate yet ambitious approach allowed audiences to fully immerse themselves in the music and atmosphere. There was something magical about this choice—the decision to settle into each city, giving fans an extended opportunity to experience Gilmour’s artistry in iconic settings.

Madison Square Garden, with its storied history and monumental atmosphere, set the perfect stage for a musical journey that would span decades and tap into the hearts of those present. Gilmour and his band took the stage to a roar of applause, the lights dimmed, and the Garden transformed into a space where time seemed to dissolve—there was no past or present, just the music. Gilmour’s carefully chosen setlist and the cohesion of his incredible band made for an unforgettable evening that blended nostalgia with new exploration. His daughter Romany Gilmour contributed harp and vocals, adding a heartfelt touch of family connection that seemed to resonate even deeper in the large venue.

A Setlist for the Ages

MSG, New York City, Nov 6th.

Set 1:

• 5 A.M. – Pink Floyd
• Black Cat – Luck and Strange
• Luck and Strange – Luck and Strange
• Speak to Me – Pink Floyd
• Breathe (In the Air) – Pink Floyd
• Time – Pink Floyd
• Breathe (Reprise) – Pink Floyd
• Fat Old Sun – Pink Floyd
• Marooned – Pink Floyd
• A Single Spark – Luck and Strange
• Wish You Were Here – Pink Floyd
• Vita Brevis – Luck and Strange
• Between Two Points – Luck and Strange – Romany Gilmour lead vocals – The Montgolfier Brothers cover
• High Hopes – Pink Floyd

Set 2:

• Sorrow – Pink Floyd
• The Piper’s Call – Luck and Strange
• In Any Tongue – Rattle that Lock
• The Great Gig in the Sky – Pink Floyd
• A Boat Lies Waiting – Rattle that Lock
• Coming Back to Life – Pink Floyd
• Dark and Velvet Nights – Luck and Strange
• Sings – Luck and Strange
• Scattered – Luck and Strange

Encore:

• Comfortably Numb – Pink Floyd

(2 sets + 1 encore song – 23 songs – 3 hours long)

Gilmour structured the evening into two distinct sets, followed by an encore that sealed the night with emotion and intensity. The setlist perfectly balanced new material from Luck and Strange with timeless classics that have defined Gilmour’s career. Each song, whether brand new or a decades-old classic, felt relevant and immediate—like part of a single, ever-evolving story.

Set 1

The first set opened with “5 A.M.” from Rattle That Lock, a haunting instrumental that set the tone for the evening. The Garden filled with Gilmour’s unmistakable, soulful guitar work, and a palpable excitement ran through the crowd. As the set continued with tracks like “Black Cat” and “Luck and Strange”, there was an almost reverent stillness among the audience—everyone was in awe, absorbing each note and every word.

One standout moment was “Fat Old Sun”, which saw the crowd finally break their silence with whistles and cheers as the song reached its brilliant crescendo. Gilmour’s stunning guitar improvisation during this track was a highlight, and it was clear that it resonated deeply with the audience. By the time the set concluded with “High Hopes”, the atmosphere was electric, yet still marked by a sense of respect and admiration for the legendary musician on stage.

Set 2

After a brief intermission, the band returned to a noticeably more animated crowd—likely fueled by a well-timed beer break. There was a shift in energy, with whistles and cheers echoing throughout the venue, though the respect for Gilmour’s artistry remained intact. The second set kicked off with “Sorrow”, featuring haunting guitar riffs and an otherworldly light show that had the audience mesmerized.

The Pink Floyd classic “The Great Gig in the Sky” was another standout moment. Louise Marshall, Romany Gilmour, and the Webb sisters delivered a spellbinding vocal performance that left the audience in awe. The cheers at the end were thunderous, a testament to the sheer power and beauty of the piece.

The set continued with songs like “Coming Back to Life” and new tracks from Luck and Strange, each bringing a unique blend of reflection and emotion. The finale, “Scattered”, ended with a disco ball lighting up the venue, casting specks of light across the arena and creating a magical, dreamlike scene that was the perfect close to the main set.

Encore

Of course, no David Gilmour concert would be complete without “Comfortably Numb” as the encore. The familiar opening chords drew an immense cheer from the crowd. As Guy Pratt took the opening vocal, trading lines with Gilmour, the audience sang along passionately, their voices echoing off the walls of the Garden. The iconic guitar solo was every bit as powerful as one could hope—a poignant, soaring piece that seemed to lift the entire arena into the air. It was the perfect conclusion to an extraordinary night.

Musical Brilliance and Emotional Resonance

David Gilmour’s performance at Madison Square Garden was more than just a concert—it was a masterclass in musicianship and emotional storytelling. The way he wove songs from different eras of his career together—new songs like “Luck and Strange“ side by side with Pink Floyd classics like “Time” and “Wish You Were Here”—created an atmosphere where the past and present coexisted seamlessly. The songs themselves are timeless, but the way Gilmour presented them made them feel as relevant and alive as ever.

The entire band—a stellar lineup featuring Guy Pratt on bass, Greg Phillinganes and Rob Gentry on keyboards, Adam Betts on drums, Ben Worsley on guitar and vocals, and vocal contributions from Louise Marshall, Hattie Webb, and Charley Webb—brought the songs to life with a remarkable level of talent and cohesion. The contributions of Romany Gilmour added a touching layer of familial connection, her vocals and harp work offering both contrast and complement to her father’s guitar.

The Guitars that Shaped the Night

David Gilmour’s guitar collection is as iconic as the music he creates. During this concert, he played a selection of guitars that each contributed their unique voice to the performance. His main instrument for the night was the Fender David Gilmour Signature NOS Black Strat, affectionately named “Black Cat” due to a custom cat sticker on the body. This guitar, a successor to his original Black Strat which was auctioned in 2019, was instrumental in producing the lush, expressive tones that Gilmour is famous for. The Black Cat Strat, with its carefully crafted modifications, has become his go-to for both live performances and studio work, especially during the recording sessions for Luck and Strange.

Another notable guitar Gilmour used during the show was his 1955 Fender Esquire, a vintage classic that brought a sharp, biting tone, perfect for certain tracks like “Fat Old Sun.” Its distinctive single-coil pickup provided a contrast to the rich sounds of his Stratocaster, adding versatility to the set.

The Gibson Les Paul Gold Top, a 1956 model with P-90 pickups and a Bigsby tremolo system, added a distinctive warmth and thickness to his tone, especially during “The Piper’s Call.” Its deep, resonant sound was the perfect complement to Gilmour’s expressive playing style, helping to create some of the evening’s most powerful moments.

Gilmour also played his Gibson ES-335, a vintage tobacco burst model, which featured prominently during “Dark and Velvet Nights.” The semi-hollow body guitar offered a rich, full-bodied tone that filled Madison Square Garden beautifully, adding depth to the new material from Luck and Strange. The Martin 1945 D-18 was the acoustic backbone of the evening, used in the introspective “A Boat Lies Waiting” to deliver the warmth and resonance that only a vintage Martin can provide.

Additionally, Gilmour used a Rickenbacker 1933 A-22 “frying pan” lap steel for some of the show’s more ethereal moments. Its unmistakable, haunting tone played a crucial role during “High Hopes,” where Gilmour’s slide work transported the audience to another planet. The blend of vintage gear and modern technology allowed Gilmour to craft a sound that was both nostalgic and fresh, connecting the past with the present in a truly unique way.

A Visual Feast for the Senses

In true Pink Floyd and now Gilmour tradition, the concert was as much a visual experience as a musical one. Madison Square Garden was transformed into a kaleidoscope of colors, with lasers cutting through the darkness and a large circular screen displaying animations, videos, and symbolic imagery that complemented the music beautifully. The synergy between the lighting and the music was striking—particularly during tracks like “Time”, where images of clocks floated across the screen, and “High Hopes”, with its nostalgic visuals. The lighting, the inflatable elements, and the use of the disco ball during “Scattered” all added a layer of spectacle that enhanced, rather than overshadowed, the music itself.

Each visual element seemed carefully crafted to enhance the storytelling of the song—creating a mood, a feeling, or a narrative that drew the audience deeper into the experience. It was this attention to detail that made the concert feel less like a performance and more like a journey, something that Gilmour and his team have always excelled at.

Personal Reflection from Get My Guitar

For us at Get My Guitar, attending this concert was more than just a night out—it was a reaffirmation of why we do what we do. Seeing David Gilmour, a guitarist whose work has inspired countless players for generations, was deeply moving. Watching him pour himself into every song, connecting with the crowd not just through his music but also through his unassuming stage presence, reminded us of the power that lies in a well-played note or a heartfelt lyric. It’s that power—to inspire, to connect, to create—that drives us to help others discover their own passion for music.

This concert wasn’t just a celebration of Gilmour’s storied past—it was also a bold statement about the present and the future. He’s an artist who refuses to rest on his laurels, continually seeking new ways to express himself and connect with audiences. It’s a quality that we admire and hope to share with the readers and aspiring guitarists who visit Get My Guitar. But in our humble opinion, David Gilmour has never sounded better! It may be thanks to new technology, enhanced sound systems, or even the venue setup itself, but this concert had the greatest sound we’ve ever heard, especially at an indoor venue.

A Night to Remember

David Gilmour’s performance at Madison Square Garden on November 6th, 2024, was a night that will be remembered not just by those who were lucky enough to be there but also as a moment in music history. It was a night where the past met the present, where nostalgia mixed with innovation, and where the music of one of the world’s greatest guitarists brought people together to share in something truly special. It was an evening filled with powerful emotions—of reflection, unity, hope, and above all, an abiding love for the music that has shaped so many lives.

For those of us who were there, it was more than a concert—it was a reminder of the power of music to inspire, to connect, and to transcend the ordinary. David Gilmour showed us that, even after all these years, he still has the ability to take us on a journey, to make us feel, and to leave us in awe. And for that, we’re endlessly grateful.

GMG Concert Rating: 9.9/10

We couldn’t think of a better way to end this review than to leave you with one of the songs from Luck and Strange titled, “Between Two Points,” featuring vocals from David’s daughter, Romany Gilmour. This emotional song also features another classic and inspiring solo from her father at the end. Enjoy it.