Welcome to the Machine

One thing I wondered on the drive home: How do bands like this decide on their set lists? There’s no way to please everybody.

I didn’t expect 2026 to turn into a tribute-band year, but here we are - and it’s been weirdly great. I saw Dio Rules a couple of weeks ago, and last night caught The Machine, a premier Pink Floyd tribute, at The Strand in York. Next weekend we’re seeing Unforgettable Fire, a U2 tribute, and I’m sure I’ll be catching the next Solar Federation show, wherever it happens.

Anyway, about The Machine show.  The Strand was packed, of course, and the demographics skewed older. Plenty of shuffling Skechers-wearers, and much less of that devil’s lettuce aroma that you’d expect with Floyd music fans. Because edibles.

Our view was excellent, the crowd friendly, and the staff helpful. That said, I’m not sure how old The Strand is, but those little seats felt like they were designed for a time when there was ‘less’ of everybody, if you get my drift (think economy flight seating). They sure weren’t built to handle air guitar solos during Comfortably Numb.

One thing I wondered on the drive home: How do bands like this decide on their set lists? There’s no way to please everybody, not even in a generous two-hour set with a short break.

Earlier in the evening while waiting in line for the men’s room during intermission, I heard somebody tell his buddy ‘Too much of the newer stuff, I never even heard those songs before.’  Indeed, they opened with ‘Sorrow’ which, in the Pink Floyd catalog, is newer. But it’s still 30 years old. I didn’t expect that for the opener; I would have bet money it was going to be Learning to Fly. I did have the thought that the bombastic, snarling ‘In the Flesh’ would have been cool – but then realized, these are hard, tenuous times we’re living in. Maybe that’s not the imagery or theme you want to lead with. The Machine has played it as a second-set opener, though.

In line for the can again before heading home, I overheard somebody else comment that they played too much of the old, trippy stuff. I wouldn’t have wanted more; much of that older psychedelic material isn’t my cuppa. But ‘Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun’ and ‘Saucerful of Secrets’ were killer. The Machine seemed to have more fun with that material. Maybe it gives them more of an opportunity to stretch out? Everybody will notice if you take liberties with ‘Wish You Were Here.’

If I could have added three more, they would have been Run Like Hell, Fearless, and Welcome to the Machine. It’s a head-scratcher that they didn’t play Welcome, given the band’s name ‘n at. I’d have made room by dropping Money, but their hands are tied in that regard, aren’t they? And One Slip was a curious inclusion.

(if you’re wondering – yes, I know I could look up previous show set lists on the Interwebs, but I like not knowing)

This 4-piece band was so fun and skilled (and all but the drummer took turns on vocals) that the only thing anybody could object to, when you get right down to it, would have been tracks from The Final Cut or Endless River, both awful at the extremes: One Roger Waters indulgence and one David Gilmour indulgence. Who knows how they decide? Looking at previous set lists this morning, they’ve done it all. Maybe it’s a simple as whatever they’re in the mood for on any given night, which is a cool move. Regardless, these four were excellent. This show was worth every penny I spent for the tickets.

Looking ahead to the upcoming Unforgettable Fire show, I should mention that the main draw for me is the opener: local band Zoey and the Iconic, featuring singer, songwriter and bassist Zoey Noble. I’m sure Unforgettable Fire will be great, though, and I’m already looking at my favorite U2 playlist and thinking about what they might lead with, leave in, and leave out.

I do know this for sure:

The Machine playing “What Do You Want From Me” last night was a bit ironic.

A U2 tribute band opening with ‘Even Better Than The Real Thing’ would be just too much to abide.

Yeah, I could look this up. Tribute bands move in mysterious ways. I’m just gonna hope for Vertigo.