Premier Music Hall was the venue for last Friday’s night “concert” by The Machine, a Pink Floyd tribute band.  If you have been to a Pink Floyd concert, I highly doubt that you would ever be able to tell the difference between The Machine and this classic band.  Their performance bears an uncanny resemblance to Pink Floyd and have been hailed by critics from Spin Magazine, the Washington Post and the New York Times.  It’s not just a concert, it is the Pink Floyd Experience. 

            Although The Machine is an internationally known tribute band, I have to be honest folks - this was my first time seeing them.  I wouldn’t even classify myself as a big Pink Floyd fan.  However, by the end of the night, our entourage was very surprised as to how many songs we did know the words to! 

            The Machine is led up by Neil Alexander, Ryan Ball, Todd Cohen, and Joe Pascarell.  This band leaves no stone unturned.  As a spectator, after you leave this show, you might as well say that you’ve seen Pink Floyd.  The Machine doesn’t miss a trick - every note, guitar solos, drum solos, bells, any sound affect possible is impeccably in place.

In true concert fashion, our “experience” began in complete darkness, accompanied by video featuring visuals of color graphics, concert footage as well as clips from actual Pink Floyd videos.  Right before our eyes a full blown light lit up the stage and notes from “Welcome to the Machine” began to fill the air.  The first set was jam packed with a non-stop plethora of Pink Floyd classics such as “Astronomy Domine”, “Have a Cigar”, “Coming Back to Life”, “Speak to Me/Breathe”, “Time/Breathe Reprise”, “Great Gig in the Sky”, “Pigs On a Wing-1”.  The Machine closed with “Pigs.”

After a short break, The Machine happily took the stage and returned with yet another classic set list – “Tigers”, “Another Brick In the Wall 1/Happiest”, “Another Brick in the Wall/2/3”, “Goodbye Cruel World”, “Mother”, “Hey You”, “Fletcher Memorial Home” and “Echoes”.  Of note, were the operatic-style vocals of their female vocalist, known only as “Nina”.  The vocal parts she performed gave me chills and were so hauntingly well done.  She was unsurpassed and her performance just made it more evident that she was another piece of this band that fit so well.  There was no denying one of the crowd’s favorites was their performance of “Wish you Were Here.”  From the beginning, the entire house was singing along and the band had no choice but to turn the microphone over to the crowd, and that’s how they ended the song.  It was truly amazing to see the camaraderie that the band shares with their fans.  It a close nit circle and it was clear to me that they have a huge following and their fans are loyal (and friendly, I might ad!)  The Machine closed their last set with Comfortably Numb.  I wasn’t expecting an encore, but after some screams and cheers, out they came with “The Trial.”  You can find out where to next catch The Machine at www.themachinelive.com.

            Premier Music Hall is the place to go to see a band. Grounded right in the heart of downtown Danbury, this venue has what it takes to become a long-standing favorite venue of mine.  Premier is a true rock and roll club and can we say, “It’s about time!” 

Premier Music Hall is spacious venue, offers up a full-service bar and menu featuring favorites such as nachos, wrap sandwiches and chicken fingers.  It is a multi-level club and there is no shortage of tables & chairs and/or standing room, if necessary.  A VIP section is in place as well, which is where we were seated and it has great view of the stage as well as oversized leather sofas and chairs.  There are also large screens for viewing just in case you can’t see the stage (which is impossible).  The staff was wonderfully gracious.  The walls are graced with the artistic creations of Sandra Filippucci featuring paintings of Bonnie Rait, B.B. King, The Rolling Stones and Janis Joplin.  Cynthia DuJack, Vice President of Marketing, indicated that they are currently “testing the waters” with all ages shows as well as cover bands during the week. Parking is available right outside of the club and if that’s full, there is a well-lit parking garage directly across the street.   For a complete list of shows, please visit out www.premierconcerts.com.