Pink Floyd fans in for a treat

Pink Floyd fans will soon be able to feast their eyes on the next best thing to the legendary group when the ultimate tribute band plays in Malta on June 25.

They might not look like the original band members but the Australian Pink Floyd (APF) can sure imitate to a tee the band that influenced successive generations. And, to top it all, their light show is reminiscent of the legendary band's classics.

A 20-metre-wide stage will be erected at the Luxol Grounds, complete with the pyrotechnics and light effects, for what promises to be one of the summer's musical highlights. The concert is being organised by Pres International and The Point Productions.

The decision to rope in APF was taken after a survey carried out by Pres International showed there are an estimated 32,000 avid Pink Floyd fans in Malta, more than any other band.

In keeping with their Australian roots, APF replace some of the trademark Pink Floyd imagery with Australian images - a huge kangaroo, for example, replaces the "floating pig".

Being the only tribute band on a world tour, the Australian Pink Floyd Show sealed their reputation as the finest tribute band last year when they played some 200 shows in front of a staggering half a million people. Over 20,000 people will be watching them when they play at Manchester's Men Arena on May 7.

The APF have been showered with praise wherever they played, with The Chicago Tribune describing their show as a "must-see for all Floyd fans".

The band will perform most of the band's hits - from One of These Days to Comfortably Numb to a haunting rendition of The Great Gig In The Sky.

The Australian Pink Floyd Show was formed in Adelaide in 1988 and was the first Pink Floyd tribute band to tour in the UK back in 1993.

Pink Floyd frontman David Gilmour and percussionist Gary Wallis attended an APF gig at Croydon UK in 1994 and were so impressed they invited them to the end of The Division Bell tour party.

The Aussie Floyd received the ultimate endorsement in 1996 when they were asked to perform for Mr Gilmour's 50th birthday celebrations in London where they were joined on stage by Pink Floyd keyboardist Richard Wright for a rousing rendition of Comfortably Numb.

In 1998, APF performed at the Glastonbury Festival, the biggest annual music festival in the UK.

For further information about the show e-mail info@pres-malta.com.