‘Syd Barrett: The Summer of Love’

A symphony of colours & sounds from Syd Barrett’s mind.

Rock band Men On The Border and the Sandviken Symphony Orchestra plan to repeat their 2016 Cambridge success at Berwaldhallen in Stockholm, 14th November 2020.

As very special guest, Men On The Border are privileged to announce guitarist Janne Schaffer, best-known for his collaborations with ABBA, and his comprehensive solo career. “I loaned Barrett my amp when Pink Floyd played in Stockholm in 1967, so I’m really looking forward to honouring him at Berwaldhallen, where Pink Floyd were presented with the Polar Prize.” Jan Stumsner, super-guitarist from P-Floyd will also add his own special brand of brilliance to the show.

Syd Barrett: The Summer of Love is based on Syd Barrett’s life before, during and after his time in one of the world’s biggest rock bands, Pink Floyd. The story is narrated by playwright David Gale, a childhood friend of Syd’s and flat-mate when they both moved from Cambridge to London in the mid-1960s. Music includes interpretations from Barrett’s solo career and selected early Pink Floyd songs. 2020 is also a jubilee year as it is now 50 years since both of Barrett’s solo albums were released (1970).

MOTB, SSO Corn Exchange Cambridge, Photo Daniela Pagliuca

Visually the show will also be a cut above the norm. Lighting designer Peter Wynne Willson will transport his liquid light show from London to Stockholm to illuminate Berwaldhallen. Wynne Willson originally created the liquid light for Pink Floyd in 1967 and toured with them for several years. In the intervening years he again toured with Pink Floyd for “The Division Bell” tour and has also worked with U2, Roger Waters and many others.

Men On The Border started in 2011 and the first album “Shine!” was released in 2012, entirely composed of interpretations of Syd Barrett’s solo songs. This has been followed by many more recordings and the album Blackbird is planned for release in June this year. Current members: Göran Nyström, Phil Etheridge, Odd Westby and Michael Wahlin. At Berwaldhallen Amanda Örtenhag will also join the band.

SSO Cambridge, Photo Bob Peel

David Gale narrated “The Summer of Love” for concerts with Men On The Border and the Sandviken Symphony Orchestra in 2016. David is both a theatrical director and playwright and toured with his own company, Lumiere & Son for more than 20 years.

Janne Schaffer is a Swedish songwriter and guitarist. He is best known for his work as a session guitarist for ABBA but he has also recorded with artists such as Bob Marley, Johnny Nash, Art Farmer and Tony Williams. He also played at the 1977 Montreux Jazz Festival.

Phil, Goeran, Cambridge. Photo Giulia Stirpe

Peter Wynne Willson is an internationally renowned lighting designer and inventor. He worked with Pink Floyd between 1966 and 1968 when he created pioneering light shows for their legendary performances at places such as UFO and the Roundhouse.

Sandviken Symphony Orchestra has played since 1934, fronted by Swedish artist elite such as Lill Lindfors, Tommy Körberg and Tomas Ledin. Anders Berglund can be noted among its many conductors. The core values for the orchestra are joy, quality and goal orientation.

P-Floyd luminaries Jan Stumsner and Peter Holmstedt have guested on previous concerts and Men On The Border have supported P-Floyd on several occasions. One of the reasons for their great success is that P-Floyd dare to break the pattern and not be a carbon copy of the original.

Odd, SSO, Cambridge. Photo Bob Peel

The Berwaldhallen concert hall is part of Swedish Radio and one of the country´s most important cultural institutions, and has a reach far beyond the country’s borders. The concert hall was awarded with a Diploma of Merit in 1981 by the prestigious cultural heritage organisation Europa Nostra.

We all need something to look forward to, and this concert promises to be something special, should the COVID-19 restrictions be lifted by then. The final decision will be taken ahead of the ticket release in August. An alternative concert date in the spring of 2021 is also reserved.

❉ Tickets are scheduled to go on sale on August 21, at 10.00 CET: https://www.berwaldhallen.se/


❉ News source: Men On The Border.

❉ We Are Cult is not responsible for the content of this news release.

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