Pink Floyd shattered numerous conventions in the music industry, famously causing chaos by destroying a stadium scoreboard and launching an extravagant inflatable pyramid that disappeared after its inaugural performance during the iconic Wish You Were Here tour. This groundbreaking ensemble defied the typical practice of touring to promote a newly released album, opting instead to kick off their ambitious 29-date tour on April 8, 1975, well before the album’s official release five months later. This bold move set the stage for a unique concert experience that fans would remember.

Throughout this tour, Pink Floyd showcased a preview of their forthcoming album, featuring the remarkable nine-part suite “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” and the album’s only single, “Have a Cigar.” They also introduced early renditions of “Sheep” and “Dogs,” songs that would later appear on their 1977 studio album, Animals. In fact, many of these tracks were already performed during their 1974 tours across France and Great Britain, creating a sense of anticipation among their devoted fans.

In reflecting on the 1975 tour, drummer Nick Mason noted in his autobiography Inside Out that the band’s live performances benefited significantly from a higher level of professional input. The band enlisted a special effects expert who had previously worked on James Bond films, enhancing their stage presence. Mason commented, “Previously our special effects had been a dangerous mixture of imagination and passing acquaintance with the pyrotechnic arts,” highlighting the evolution of their concert experiences.

Despite these enhancements, Pink Floyd found themselves in precarious situations, even with professional assistance. In a desperate attempt to dispose of leftover munitions from their American concerts before heading into Canada, they decided to attach them to the scoreboard at Detroit’s Olympia Stadium and detonate them. “The explosion was devastating,” Mason recalled, describing a scene filled with smoke, flames, and chaos. The aftermath required the band to replace the scoreboard and cover damages to nearby homes, showcasing the unpredictable nature of their performances.

Another infamous moment reminiscent of Spinal Tap occurred when the band introduced a massive inflatable pyramid designed to float above their outdoor concerts. However, even the slightest gust of wind caused the entire structure to tremble and sway uncontrollably. When they attempted its debut in Pittsburgh on June 20th, the situation escalated to the point where the crew had to cut the pyramid loose, leading it to crash in the parking lot and be ripped to shreds by eager fans seeking souvenirs.

Despite Pink Floyd’s dedication to creating a visually stunning concert experience, not a single show from the Wish You Were Here tour was professionally documented. In a 2018 interview with Rolling Stone, Mason expressed regret, stating, “I’m sorry we never filmed and recorded a Dark Side, Animals or Wish You Were Here show,” attributing the absence of recordings to a period when paranoia about bootleggers ran rampant.

Fortunately, legendary bootlegger Mike “The Mic” Millard was determined to capture these performances. As highlighted by Rolling Stone in 2021, Millard ingeniously used a fake wheelchair to sneak a tape recorder into shows at the Los Angeles Sports Arena. He rigged microphones to his hat, allowing him to obtain high-quality recordings of renowned artists such as Rush, the Rolling Stones, and Led Zeppelin, with some of his tapes even appearing in their 2003 self-titled DVD.

Among his extensive collection, Millard captured what many consider the finest recording of Pink Floyd’s 1975 tour, which has benefitted from modern audio technology that has further enhanced its quality in recent years. Listeners can experience the magic of this show below.

For video enthusiasts, the best available footage is a 27-minute segment shot in 8mm during the band’s June 28th performance in Hamilton, Canada. This footage has been thoughtfully converted to 4K quality and can also be found below, alongside another high-quality audio recording from the same show.

Experience Pink Floyd’s Iconic April 26, 1975 Concert

Complete Set List from Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here 1975 Tour

First Set:
1. “Raving and Drooling” (later known as “Sheep” from 1977’s Animals)
2. “You’ve Got to Be Crazy” (later known as “Dogs” from 1977’s Animals)
3. “Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Parts I-V” (from 1975’s Wish You Were Here)
4. “Have a Cigar” (from Wish You Were Here)
5. “Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Parts VI-IX” (from Wish You Were Here)

Second Set: The Dark Side of the Moon
6. “Speak to Me”
7. “Breathe”
8. “On the Run”
9. “Time / Breathe” (Reprise)
10. “The Great Gig in the Sky”
11. “Money”
12. “Us and Them”
13. “Any Colour You Like”
14. “Brain Damage”
15. “Eclipse”

Encore:
16. “Echoes” (from 1971’s Meddle)