Games For May
Encyclopedia
The Games for May concert, which took place at the Queen Elizabeth Hall
on May 12, 1967, was one of the first significant concert events held by Pink Floyd
.
. During the performance, some of the band members created sound effects by chopping up wood on stage, a man dressed up as an admiral gave out daffodils, and the bubbles produced from a machine while the show was in progress stained all the furniture in the hall. As a consequence, Pink Floyd were banned from ever playing there again. The show included a primitive "surround sound
" mixer, consisting of a joystick linked to an organ and effects, which could be used to move sounds around the auditorium. It was the first concert in Britain to feature both a complex light show and a quadrophonic sound system. The show was introduced with a series of tape recordings. Roger Waters
created the opening dawn tape effects by using bird calls and various natural sounds (an effect he would use in both Cirrus Minor
and Grantchester Meadows). The bubbles at the end of the show were created by Rick Wright while the ending piece was constructed by Barrett. At this time "See Emily Play
" was known as "Games for May."
Encore:
Queen Elizabeth Hall
The Queen Elizabeth Hall is a music venue on the South Bank in London, United Kingdom that hosts daily classical, jazz, and avant-garde music and dance performances. The QEH forms part of Southbank Centre arts complex and stands alongside the Royal Festival Hall, which was built for the Festival...
on May 12, 1967, was one of the first significant concert events held by Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
.
History
Games for May was described as a "Space age relaxation for the climax of spring – electronic composition, colour and image projection, girls, and the Pink Floyd". The concert featured some of the band's early singles as well as material from their then unreleased debut album – The Piper at the Gates of DawnThe Piper at the Gates of Dawn
The Piper at the Gates of Dawn is the debut album by the English rock group Pink Floyd, and the only one made under founding member Syd Barrett's leadership. The album contains whimsical lyrics about space, scarecrows, gnomes, bicycles and fairy tales, along with psychedelic instrumental songs...
. During the performance, some of the band members created sound effects by chopping up wood on stage, a man dressed up as an admiral gave out daffodils, and the bubbles produced from a machine while the show was in progress stained all the furniture in the hall. As a consequence, Pink Floyd were banned from ever playing there again. The show included a primitive "surround sound
Surround sound
Surround sound encompasses a range of techniques such as for enriching the sound reproduction quality of an audio source with audio channels reproduced via additional, discrete speakers. Surround sound is characterized by a listener location or sweet spot where the audio effects work best, and...
" mixer, consisting of a joystick linked to an organ and effects, which could be used to move sounds around the auditorium. It was the first concert in Britain to feature both a complex light show and a quadrophonic sound system. The show was introduced with a series of tape recordings. Roger Waters
Roger Waters
George Roger Waters is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. He was a founding member of the progressive rock band Pink Floyd, serving as bassist and co-lead vocalist. Following the departure of bandmate Syd Barrett in 1968, Waters became the band's lyricist, principal songwriter...
created the opening dawn tape effects by using bird calls and various natural sounds (an effect he would use in both Cirrus Minor
Cirrus Minor (song)
"Cirrus Minor" is a song written and performed by the progressive/psychedelic rock band Pink Floyd. It is the first track on their 1969 album Soundtrack from the Film More.-Overview:...
and Grantchester Meadows). The bubbles at the end of the show were created by Rick Wright while the ending piece was constructed by Barrett. At this time "See Emily Play
See Emily Play
"See Emily Play" was the second single recorded by the English psychedelic rock group Pink Floyd. It was written by original frontman Syd Barrett and recorded on 23 May 1967. The single featured "Scarecrow" as its B-side...
" was known as "Games for May."
Setlist
- Dawn (tape recording)
- "Matilda MotherMatilda Mother"Matilda Mother" is a song by British psychedelic rock band Pink Floyd, and is featured on their debut album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn...
" (BarrettSyd BarrettSyd Barrett , born Roger Keith Barrett, was an English singer-songwriter, guitarist, and painter, best remembered as a founding member of the band Pink Floyd. He was the lead vocalist, guitarist and primary songwriter during the band's psychedelic years, providing major musical and stylistic...
) - "FlamingFlaming (Pink Floyd song)"Flaming" is a song by psychedelic rock band Pink Floyd, and is featured in their debut album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn. The song, written by Syd Barrett, is basically a child-like game scenario between two friends, hence "Lazing in the foggy dew"...
" (Barrett) - "ScarecrowThe Scarecrow (Pink Floyd song)"The Scarecrow" is a song on Pink Floyd's debut album The Piper at the Gates of Dawn , though it first appeared as the B-side of their second single "See Emily Play" two months before...
" (Barrett) - "See Emily PlaySee Emily Play"See Emily Play" was the second single recorded by the English psychedelic rock group Pink Floyd. It was written by original frontman Syd Barrett and recorded on 23 May 1967. The single featured "Scarecrow" as its B-side...
" (Barrett) - "BikeBike (song)"Bike" is a song by British psychedelic rock band Pink Floyd, and is featured on their debut album, The Piper at the Gates of Dawn .-Information:...
" (Barrett) - "Arnold LayneArnold LayneDavid Gilmour, during his solo tour promoting On an Island, unexpectedly added the song to the setlist near the end of the American tour on the 17 April 2006 show at the Oakland Paramount Theatre...
" (Barrett) - "Candy and a Currant BunCandy and a Currant Bun"Candy and a Currant Bun" was the B-side to Pink Floyd's first single, Arnold Layne. When performed live in 1967, the song was known as "Let's Roll Another One" and contained the line "I'm high - Don't try to spoil my fun", but the record company forced Syd Barrett to rewrite it without the...
" (Barrett) - "Pow R. Toc H.Pow R. Toc H."Pow R. Toc H." is an instrumental song with vocal effects, from Pink Floyd's 1967 album The Piper at the Gates of Dawn. In addition to the vocal effects, piano is a prominent instrument in this piece.-Information:...
" (Barrett, WatersRoger WatersGeorge Roger Waters is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. He was a founding member of the progressive rock band Pink Floyd, serving as bassist and co-lead vocalist. Following the departure of bandmate Syd Barrett in 1968, Waters became the band's lyricist, principal songwriter...
, WrightRichard Wright (musician)Richard William Wright was an English pianist, keyboardist and songwriter, best known for his career with Pink Floyd. Wright's richly textured keyboard layers were a vital ingredient and a distinctive characteristic of Pink Floyd's sound...
, MasonNick MasonNicholas Berkeley "Nick" Mason is an English drummer and songwriter, best known for his work with Pink Floyd. He was the only constant member of the band since its formation in 1965...
) - "Interstellar OverdriveInterstellar Overdrive"Interstellar Overdrive" is a psychedelic composition written by Pink Floyd in 1966, which appears on their 1967 debut album The Piper at the Gates of Dawn at almost ten minutes in length. An earlier, longer recording, 16:52, can be heard on the soundtrack to the film Tonite Let's All Make Love in...
" (Barrett, Waters, Wright, Mason) - Bubbles (tape recording)
- Ending (tape recording)
Encore:
- "Lucifer SamLucifer Sam"Lucifer Sam" is a song by British psychedelic rock band Pink Floyd, featured on the debut album The Piper at the Gates of Dawn .-Music and lyrics:...
" (Barrett)
Quotes
- "In the future, bands are going to have to offer more than a pop show. They are going to have to an offer a well presented theatre show" – Syd BarrettSyd BarrettSyd Barrett , born Roger Keith Barrett, was an English singer-songwriter, guitarist, and painter, best remembered as a founding member of the band Pink Floyd. He was the lead vocalist, guitarist and primary songwriter during the band's psychedelic years, providing major musical and stylistic...
on the future of rock and roll live performance.
- "I think Games for May was one of the most significant shows we ever performed" – Nick MasonNick MasonNicholas Berkeley "Nick" Mason is an English drummer and songwriter, best known for his work with Pink Floyd. He was the only constant member of the band since its formation in 1965...
on the concert and its impact.