Blow Winds of Ecstasy, Call the Storm of Pink Floyd Fans: Genshi Shinbo Event Report Part 1 - December 30, 2021, EX Theater Roppongi

A tribute band like no other in the world, Genshi Shinbo excels at recreating Pink Floyd with an unmatched level of precision, musical skill, and entertainment value.

In April 2021, during a live performance at Club Citta in Kawasaki, they stunned Pink Floyd fans by covering the entire Atom Heart Mother album, featuring a brass section, cello, and a full chorus.
Not only were their musical talents impressive, but their captivating stage presence delivered a performance unlike any other tribute band.

→ Related Article: All Songs from the Album Atom Heart Mother Played by Genshi Shinbo! - Pink Floyd Trips 2021 Event Report Part 1 - April 3, 2021

Fast forward to December 30, 2021, at EX Theater Roppongi. Fans who had witnessed the electrifying performance at Club Citta, along with those who had missed it or were blown away by the video footage, gathered in an atmosphere charged with excitement. This blog series will provide a two-part report on this unforgettable live show.
Stay tuned for the second part, which will include a special giveaway, courtesy of the band members!

Upon entering the venue, the first thing that caught my eye was the dazzling array of original merchandise.
All of them were designed to appeal to the Pink Floyd spirit. After much deliberation, I decided to purchase a pass case.

I initially thought about using it for my employee ID and showing it off, but because the design was so cool, I couldn’t bring myself to use it and it has become part of my collection.
For those interested, the merchandise is available online, so be sure to check it out!

Genshi Shinbo Official Website

As I made my way into the theater with The Division Bell playing, I noticed the audience was diverse, ranging from older fans who seemed to have followed Pink Floyd since the early days to younger generations. The venue was almost packed I even spotted fans wearing vintage Pink Floyd t-shirts, showing the high expectations of the crowd.
Just as I was getting lost in the sounds of The Division Bell, the lights dimmed.

The iconic fanfare of The Dark Side of the Moon kicked in, and the audience was instantly transported.

1. Time/Breathe (Reprise)

Like last time, the show kicked off, as expected, with the thunderous ticking of clocks, but this time, the low-end of the intro stood out more than ever. Perhaps it was the acoustics of the theater, but the drums of Katsumi Kashiwabara and the percussion of Reika Tomita resonated deeply. It was an almost overwhelming sensation that I hadn’t felt in a long time due to the pandemic—so much so that it brought me to the verge of tears.
Yoshitaka Mikuni’s dynamic Hammond sound wasn’t just something you heard; it was something you felt through your entire body.

But what truly stood out was the guitar sound of Takehiko ‘shake’ Kogure, a national treasure in its own right. I’ve never seen a guitarist command a Stratocaster so stylishly.
Audience members who had seen the April show seemed to be there not just for a Pink Floyd tribute, but to immerse themselves in the world of Genshi Shinbo. It was an exceptional opening.

2. The Great Gig in the Sky

Without skipping a beat, they transitioned into The Great Gig in the Sky, the sacred highlight of The Dark Side of the Moon.

During the last performance, I was too caught up in the excitement to notice, but Lovely Reina’s voice in this song gave off more of a Black music vibe than Clare Torry’s original. However, it never went too far into gospel territory, and I was delighted by how much it evoked the UK rock style you’d hear in albums by someone like P. P. Arnold, who has also performed with Roger Waters’ band.

And, of course, they did the iconic half-step modulation at the end of the song, not disappointing anyone in the crowd.

3. Money

Without missing a beat, the sound of clinking coins and cash registers filled the air, signaling the start of one of Pink Floyd’s biggest hits.

I couldn’t help but wonder how Yutaro Ogida gets his bass to sound the way it does. It seemed even more faithful to the original sound than what I’ve heard at Roger Waters’ solo shows.

The saxophone was played by Yokan, who later conducted the brass and chorus sections during the Atom Heart Mother performance. Last time, he performed sax on “Shine On You Crazy Diamond”. His playing was more understated compared to the flashiness of the original but still incredibly hip and fitting.
Perhaps the goal was to ensure the sound concept seamlessly transitioned into the upcoming highlight of the show.

Then, the guitar solo took off at a faster pace than the original, leading into an exciting interplay between the guitar, sax, and Harunobu Okubo’s electric piano in the middle section. It had a thrilling vibe that reminded me of UK jazz rock—a level of flair you wouldn’t normally experience with the original Pink Floyd.

By this point, I was already on the edge of my seat, anticipating a moment to catch my breath.
But before I could relax, the sound of fierce winds filled the theater, signaling the start of one of the show’s main attractions—an entire performance of the album Meddle!

Meddle

Released in 1971, Meddle was Pink Floyd’s first true collaborative album following earlier works like Ummagumma, which featured live recordings and solo pieces, and Atom Heart Mother, created with the help of an arranger and orchestra. This album, crafted with the unified effort of the entire band, includes songs they played during their first and second tours in Japan, making it a beloved classic among Japanese fans of western music, especially Pink Floyd enthusiasts.
What unfolded in the theater felt like an early New Year’s gift for Japanese Pink Floyd fans, delivered without warning.

4. One of These Days

The iconic, delay-drenched bass intro filled the air. Much like in David Gilmour’s solo performances, the bass was played using the thumb-picking technique (is that still what it’s called?).

Meanwhile, Takehiko ‘shake’ Kogure’s guitar playing was true to the original Pink Floyd era, using a Stratocaster with a slide bar, rather than the lap steel guitar Gilmour often used in his solo performances.

This must have been a real treat for long-time fans who saw Pink Floyd’s second tour in Japan. Tomita’s cymbals added a powerful accent to the music, and the reversed guitar sound in the quieter parts seemed to channel Roger’s spirit. It was a perfect mix of Pink Floyd’s atmospheric sound and the unique visual flair that only Genshi Shinbo can deliver.

5. A Pillow of Winds

Ogida played a 12-string guitar while Tomita joined in on acoustic guitar. Takehiko ‘shake’ Kogure’s slide guitar enhanced the track’s already blissful atmosphere. It was a beautifully executed piece, capturing the essence of British folk-rock in the dappled sunlight.

6. Fearless

Another acoustic gem followed, leaving the audience fully immersed in the music. The ending, featuring the chant of Liverpool FC’s anthem, had vocalist Kenneth Andrew joining in, and I was tempted to shout along!

7. San Tropez

This jazzy, stylish folk tune—often considered a precursor to neo-acoustic music—was an absolute delight. Kenneth Andrew danced with Tomita and Lovely Reina on either side of him, evoking the joy of a 1960s British TV show.

8. Seamus

Lovely Reina and Tomita mimicked the sound of a dog’s bark live on stage, which warmed my heart as a dog lover.

Kenneth showcased his blues harp skills. In a previous review, I mentioned that Kenneth reminded me of David Bowie, but during this song, his coolness brought to mind Paul Jones from Manfred Mann. The visual excitement in this performance is something you simply can’t experience with other tribute bands.

9. Echoes

This legendary track was performed during Pink Floyd’s first visit to Japan and remains one of their most beloved songs, even featured in Gilmour’s solo performances in the 2000s.
However, Genshi Shinbo’s rendition wasn’t a solo artist’s reinterpretation—it was the recreation of the intricate, band-driven arrangement that captured the original spirit of Pink Floyd. The grooves born from Pink Floyd’s emotions back then were brought back to life, leaving me with the sense that I had witnessed something truly unforgettable.

From the very first note of the piano, drenched in effects, I felt like having goosebumps. I imagine everyone in the audience felt the same.
The whispering guitar, organ, and resonating drums recreated all the magic of the album, but with an added live intensity.
I could write an entire blog just about this one song from Genshi Shinbo’s performance, as there were so many standout moments. But what was especially breathtaking was the middle section, where the groovy rhythm drove the guitar and organ solos, soaring through the air. Genshi Shinbo’s performance paid homage to Pink Floyd’s masterpiece, and the shared energy between the band and the audience was palpable. It was a live performance you wished would go on forever.
It was a moment that encapsulated all the excitement that I had nearly forgotten live shows could bring. The sound effects during the quiet sections were impressively recreated with instruments. Was that bird call (if that’s what it was) played by Takehiko ‘shake’ Kogure on the guitar? (I couldn’t see clearly from my seat.)
The ending sound effect was extended longer than the original, with the volume and pitch rising until it abruptly cut off, giving me the same thrill I had when I first heard The Beatles’ “A Day in the Life”.

And with that, the first set ended. After a brief intermission, we dove into the second set, still in a daze.

I’ll cover the breathtaking second set in my next post, along with a special giveaway announcement—so stay tuned!

“Meddle + Atom Heart Mother Full Album Reenactment - 50th Anniversary Tour”
Thursday, December 30, 2021 at EX Theater Roppongi

Members of Genshi Shinbo:
Kogure ‘shake’ Takehiko (Guitar)
Yoshitaka Mikuni (Keyboards)
Harunobu Okubo (Keyboards)
Yutaro Ogida (Bass, Guitar, Vocals)
Katsumi Kashiwabara (Drums)
Kenneth Andrew (Lead Vocals)
Lovely Reina (Chorus)
Reika Tomita (Chorus)

Image courtesy of Genshi Shinbo

Genshi Shinbo Official YouTube Channel

Genshi Shinbo Official Website

Genshi Shinbo Official Facebook

Genshi Shinbo Official Twitter

Genshi Shinbo Official Instagram

Lastly, here’s an item sure to excite any Pink Floyd fan!

EMG / DG20 Ivory Guitar Pickup

This pickup is David Gilmour’s signature model.
The tones that come from Gilmour’s red Strat are thanks to this EMG DG20 set. It features Alnico magnet SA single coils, an EXG Guitar Expander to boost bass and treble, and an SPC Presence Control to enhance the classic Strat tone. Everything is pre-wired onto a custom white pearl pickguard with white knobs, ready for setup!

Sound House - Genshi Shinbo Event Report
◆All Songs from the Album Atom Heart Mother Played by Genshi Shinbo! - Pink Floyd Trips 2021 Event Report

All Songs from the Album Atom Heart Mother Played by Genshi Shinbo! - Pink Floyd Trips 2021 Event Report Part 1 - April 3, 2021

All Songs from the Album Atom Heart Mother Played by Genshi Shinbo! - Pink Floyd Trips 2021 Event Report Part 2 - April 3, 2021

All Songs from the Album Atom Heart Mother Played by Genshi Shinbo! - Pink Floyd Trips 2021 Event Report Part 3 - April 3, 2021