In an unexpected turn of events, a seaside pub in Brighton found itself sharing a moment with legendary Pink Floyd venues like Pompeii and the Royal Albert Hall. David Gilmour, renowned for his storied career with Pink Floyd, surprised patrons with an impromptu performance of “Wish You Were Here,” alongside his daughter, Romany.
Gilmour, who has played in some of the world’s most iconic venues, took to a much more intimate stage during this appearance. The performance marked a unique moment in his ongoing efforts to promote his new solo album Luck and Strange, his first in nine years, which he’s described as his best work since Dark Side of the Moon.
While Gilmour has embraced more traditional methods of promotion—such as discussing the vintage guitars used in the record—he’s also ventured off the beaten path, sneaking lyrics into local UK newspapers. Now, with this surprise performance, he brought one of Pink Floyd’s most beloved songs to a small audience at The Neptune Inn in Brighton on Sunday, September 8.
Romany, Gilmour’s 22-year-old daughter, was performing a set of covers at the pub when her father made an unexpected appearance. Her genuine shock was captured on camera as she exclaimed, “Oh my gosh, you’re here. And you’ve brought your guitar.”
Normally, the idea of a parent interrupting a gig might be considered awkward for most musicians, but when your father is David Gilmour, it’s a special occasion. Still, Romany jokingly asked, “You’re going to come and upstage me?” before Gilmour suggested they perform Pink Floyd’s 1975 hit. He then unpacked his Martin D-35 signature acoustic, and together, they delivered a memorable rendition of the classic.
The small pub audience included some notable guests: Ben Worsley and Guy Pratt from Gilmour’s solo band, Whitfield Crane of Ugly Kid Joe, Romany’s brother Gabriel, and Prog Magazine’s Jerry Ewing. Interestingly, everyone but Romany seemed to know what was about to happen.
Gilmour’s children have been integral to Luck and Strange. Romany lent her harp-playing and vocals to the reimagined version of The Montgolfier Brothers’ “Between Two Points” and previously collaborated with her father on the single “Yes, I Have Ghosts.” In a press release about the single, Gilmour explained how the duet came to be during lockdown when original plans fell through. “I was working on this song just as we went into lockdown and had to cancel a session with backing singers,” he said. “But as it turned out, the solution was right here. I couldn’t be happier with how Romany’s voice blends with mine, and the beautiful harp playing has been another revelation.”
Gabriel, Gilmour’s son, also contributed to the album, providing backing vocals on tracks such as “The Piper’s Call” and “A Single Spark,” while Charlie Gilmour helped write the lyrics for “Shattered.”
Later this month, Gilmour will take Luck and Strange on tour, with performances scheduled at major venues like London’s Royal Albert Hall and New York’s Madison Square Garden, returning to more familiar settings after his intimate pub appearance.
