On March 15, 2025, the Pink Floyd Australian Show will set up its amps at the Arena to play its Wish you where here concert in tribute to the 50th anniversary of the group's legendary album. One of the group's guitarists, Luc Ledy-Leprince, agreed to answer questions from the Independent.
After “Dark side of the moon”, you resume “Wish you where here”. What pushed you towards this album?
Quite simply, the fact that the album will be 50 years old in 2025. We did the same, in 2023, for Dark Side. But we also play other pieces so that the concert doesn't only last 45 minutes.
What is the song that gets the audience the most reaction?
In concerts, the song that gets people reacting the most is Wish you where here. People sing at the top of their lungs, especially in English-speaking countries. That said, when after the intro of Shine on you crazy diamond, when the four iconic notes of David Gilmour's guitar resonate, there is a rather special enthusiasm. Otherwise, on the whole program, it's Comfortably numb that everyone is waiting for.
Speaking of the public, the contemporary generation of the album's release is over 60 years old. How do you explain young people's enthusiasm for this music?
It's true that we have quite a few people under the age of twenty, but that remains quite limited. Many come with their parents or grandparents for whom this was the music of their youth. That's a bit like what my parents did with me. That said, Pink Floyd is timeless and everyone, big, small, young or old, can identify with it. There will always be a song that suits who you are.
Taking on the role of David Gilmour is a big responsibility. How did you prepare?
Yes ! But I'm lucky not to be alone on stage. There's another David with me, another guitarist whose real name is David, and we share the solos and the important moments. We prepare for this role by having listened to all the Pink Floyd songs since we were little because we are big fans. They are anchored in my head and afterwards, it takes a lot of work, a lot of listening, precise analysis of each note. It's made easy when it's music you've always loved. Going back, for example, to Led Zeppelin, which I love, but which I haven't listened to as much, would be impossible for me. What matters is that it's a live concert and if we have to cover these songs, we must above all convey the right emotion.
How do you feel about the gaze of guitarist fans?
I tend not to look at them too much: on the one hand, I'm focused and on the other hand, I'm shy. I sometimes receive messages from people in the audience, guitarists, who liked the concert. This makes me smile because that's what I did, myself, with David from whom I asked for advice, sent videos and that's how it started with him. So far, no one has come and tapped me on the shoulder and said “Hey man, stop what you're doing” which would make me question myself.
A lot of people ask us what gear or equipment you need to play like Gilmour. I tend to answer that it is, without an amp, without effects, without even plugging in your guitar, that you have to train to sound as close as possible to the guitarist you want to play like, because it is mainly in fingers it’s happening. It's the touch that makes the sound, not the tricks that can be added later.
