In our opinion, this live concert is the peak of music history.
David Gilmour’s 2016 performance of “Comfortably Numb” at Pompeii was a historic and visually captivating event. Nearly 44 years after Pink Floyd’s original 1972 documentary was filmed at the Roman amphitheater, Gilmour returned to perform before a live audience, marking the first public concert in that venue since AD 79. This setting added a haunting layer to the music, especially considering Gilmour’s reflection on the ghosts of the past, including his late bandmate Richard Wright. The performance of “Comfortably Numb,” a staple from Pink Floyd’s The Wall, took on new life in this ancient location.
The live version in Pompeii featured Gilmour and Chuck Leavell sharing lead vocal duties, with the 11-piece band providing a robust, atmospheric backdrop. Gilmour’s signature guitar solo in “Comfortably Numb” was as electrifying as ever, enhanced by the amphitheater’s acoustics and a dramatic light show that bathed the audience and performers in a surreal glow. The blending of new technology and classic rock artistry created an unforgettable experience for both the audience and the performers.
This version of the song holds particular weight, not only because of its location but also due to the emotional resonance of Gilmour’s performance. His guitar work has long been celebrated for its melodic phrasing, and during the Pompeii concert, the final solo felt like a culmination of decades of musical mastery. The setting amplified the emotional intensity, with the ancient stonework providing a solemn, almost otherworldly atmosphere. This was not just a concert; it was a tribute to both Gilmour’s solo career and his legacy with Pink Floyd.
The “Live at Pompeii” album and film, released in 2017, captured the full scope of these two nights. Alongside Pink Floyd classics like “Comfortably Numb,” Gilmour performed material from his solo career, including tracks from his 2015 album Rattle That Lock. The concert’s production featured stunning pyrotechnics, particularly during “Run Like Hell,” and a masterful use of lighting, which reached its apex during “Comfortably Numb.”
Gilmour’s connection to Pompeii is steeped in history, both personal and musical. The 1972 Pink Floyd performance at Pompeii was a groundbreaking moment in music history, featuring a setlist recorded without an audience, focused purely on the band’s sonic experimentation. Fast forward to 2016, and Gilmour’s return to this venue, with a live audience and full band, marked a new chapter in that legacy, blending nostalgia with forward-looking artistry.
Gilmour’s live band included long-time collaborators like bassist Guy Pratt, who also provided vocals on other tracks, and keyboardist Chuck Leavell. Their cohesive dynamic allowed them to reinterpret Pink Floyd’s music while maintaining its emotional depth. This ensemble, with its tight musical execution and Gilmour’s masterful guitar work, elevated “Comfortably Numb” beyond just a rock performance—it became an exploration of sound, memory, and legacy.
The crowd’s reaction was equally as potent as the performance itself. In a setting as grand and historically rich as Pompeii, the fusion of Pink Floyd’s iconic music with Gilmour’s personal vision seemed to transcend the typical concert experience. The audience was as much a part of the spectacle as the performers, with their energy feeding back into the performance, creating a loop of heightened emotional intensity.
The release of Live at Pompeii in multiple formats, including CD, LP, DVD, and Blu-ray, allows fans to relive this incredible experience. For those who have followed Gilmour’s career since the early days of Pink Floyd, this concert serves as both a nostalgic look back and a testament to his enduring artistry.
