Genshi Shinbo - Live Retrospective, December 30, 2023

Part I of the December 30, 2023 “Banquet of Remember That Night” by Genshi Shinbo, which will continue to pursue Pink Floyd deeply in 2024

Genshi Shinbo is the world’s most authentic Pink Floyd tribute band, formed by Japanese Pink Floyd fans, for Floyd fans. The energy from each member’s love for the Pink Floyd music is palpable in every performance. They meticulously recreate Pink Floyd’s sonic space and infuse their performances with an entertainment factor that sets them apart from other tribute bands. With each tour, their live performances have grown more grandiose.

Starting in November 2024, Genshi Shinbo will embark on the Division Bell 30th Anniversary Tour, celebrating the 30th anniversary of Pink Floyd’s album The Division Bell. This tour will feature tracks from the album while covering the breadth of Pink Floyd’s history.
This post features the first part of two editions of the report of Genshi Shinbo’s performance at EX Theater Roppongi in December 2023, with a lot of Floyd trip feel. I hope that those who have never seen Genshi Shinbo live will feel compelled to attend their upcoming concerts in November, and that those who attended this show will be able to relive the immersive trip by reading this article.
On December 30, 2023, at EX Theater Roppongi, fans who were blown away by the intense performance at Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall in June, those who couldn’t make it there, and new fans who heard about the legendary performance gathered on this perfect day with heightened excitement of year-end festivities. The tickets were sold out.
The event was titled “The Dark Side of the Moon 50th Anniversary Event + Atom Heart Mother - Cantata from the Underworld”.

The concert featured a stunning reenactment of Live at Pompeii and The Dark Side of the Moon performances like they did at Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall. In addition to this was a grand finale of the now-annual Atom Heart Mother with horns, cello, and chorus, but this time with an expanded chorus to close the year 2023. Genshi Shinbo made sure that we could enjoy their invincible performance that even the original Pink Floyd members might not have been able to achieve.
Upon entering the venue, fans swarmed the merch booth. It was filled with enticing items like the Cantata of the Underworld Tee prepared for that day. I also noticed the popular Pompeii t-shirts, which were a hit at Hibiya, and I’m eager to collect all the colors someday! For those who couldn’t attend or had no time to buy, it seems you can purchase them from the band’s official website, Genshi Shinbo Goods.
Entering the theater ten minutes before the show, the place was packed with Japanese Pink Floyd fans (=Genshi Shinbo fans), who brought an incredible energy after winning the ticket purchase.
On stage was the set recreating Live at Pompeii. Above the stage, there was a gong, used during the performance of Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun at Hibiya, which had a huge impact on the immersive Floyd trip with its bold, powerful sound. Seeing this, the excitement was already rising, and as the house lights dimmed, a heartbeat sound effect played. Keyboardist Harunobu Okubo and bassist Yutaro Ogida appeared on stage. The dissonant synthesizer tones played by Okubo stirred the excitement further and the rest of the members, including Takehiko ‘shake’ Kogure, joined them. It’s showtime for the reenactment of Live at Pompeii.

Pink Floyd / Live at Pompeii

Live at Pompeii is a 1972 film capturing an outdoor, audience-free performance at the ruins of Pompeii in Italy. This reenactment at the indoor EX Theater Roppongi offered a chance to experience a Pink Floyd live performance, originally held in a theater-sized venue, through a tribute performance. Essentially, it was a live show where you could immerse yourself in the world of the album Ummagumma, making it an experience that could leave one feeling faint even before it began. In this post, I aim to convey the intensity and richness unique to this “Floyd Trip of Chamber Music”. For a detailed overview of the performance, please refer to my previous report on the Hibiya Open-Air Concert.

1. Echoes Part I

The first time I experienced a live performance of this song was at the 2021 Meddle reenactment, and it gave me goosebumps then and also during the Hibiya show and now at this performance, with Yoshitaka Mikuni’s piano opening! Kenneth Andrew’s vocals resonated warmly. While I usually focus on the guitar when listening to this song on vinyl, this live performance made me appreciate the beauty of the vocal melodies.
Perhaps because it was an indoor show where I could concentrate more, the sound of each instrument reached me with greater clarity. The improvisational bass by Yutaro Ogida and drums by Katsumi Kashiwabara were powerful in their deep tones, but this time they felt softer and warmer compared to the previous show. Takehiko ‘shake’ Kogure’s Stratocaster solo rocked, but with a sound closer to the original, it added to the trip vibe of “Echoes”. The organ performance between Yoshitaka Mikuni and Harunobu Okubo, even more intense than before, was elevated by Kashiwabara’s Nick Mason-esque unexpected drumming. I’m so glad I came to see them at EX Theater!

2. Careful With That Axe, Eugene

Still riding the high from “Echoes”, the next song burst forth without pause. It’s “Careful With That Axe, Eugene”. It was my first time hearing this song at an indoor venue, and the Mellotron by Yoshitaka Mikuni felt even more direct, enhancing the trip experience. Perhaps I didn’t notice it before, but this time there was a faintly jazzy rhythm that reminded me of the early arrangement of “On The Run” from The Dark Side of the Moon, known as “The Travel Sequence”." The combination of Takehiko ‘shake’ Kogure’s chorus and Yutaro Ogida’s shout resonated through my body with a distinct Pink Floyd vibe that only an indoor performance could deliver.

3. A Saucerful Of Secrets

The song “A Saucerful Of Secrets” began with an opening where Ogida pounded another cymbal set up on stage, amidst Takehiko ‘shake’ Kogure’s guitar drenched in psychedelic effects and Harunobu Okubo’s Mellotron enveloping the hall. Listening to this indoors, I felt even more like I was being pulled into the world of Ummagumma. Centered around Katsumi Kashiwabara’s fast drumming, as seen in the previous performance, combined with Takehiko ‘shake’ Kogure’s guitar playing on the floor, Yutaro Ogida’s gong, and Harunobu Okubo’s powerful sound that blends both an analog and futuristic feel, all enhanced by stunning lighting effects for even more theatrical atmosphere. The ending was marked by a holy-sounding organ from Harunobu Okubo, complemented by the dignified chorus from Kenneth Andrew, Reika Tomita, and Yuki Hirono, which left a lasting impression of a truly divine reenactment.

4. One Of These Days

While still moved by the reproduction of “A Saucerful of Secrets”, the powerful winds and bass from the iconic “One of These Days” began to resonate relentlessly. Yutaro Ogida’s bass built up slowly and smoothly, creating a gradual crescendo. Amidst the groovy organ sounds from Harunobu Okubo, Takehiko ‘shake’ Kogure’s guitar sound grew intensely loud, delivering a thrilling contrast with the bass-driven break sections for an unmistakably rockin’ drive performance.

5. Cymbaline

At Hibiya Open-Air Concert Hall, we enjoyed a refreshing outdoor performance, but this time, the indoor setting added a different atmosphere. Yoshitaka Mikuni’s Mellotron and Harunobu Okubo’s piano resonated with a solemnity that filled the space. Kenneth Andrew’s powerful vocals left a strong impression. Reika Tomita’s percussion play stood out, highlighting her crucial role in both the sound and visual aspects of Genshi Shinbo’s performance.

6. Set The Controls For Heart Of The Sun

Written by Roger Waters, “Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun” was included in the album A Saucerful of Secrets, and was a piece I wrote extensively about in a previous event report on Genshi Shinbo’s live performance. This was because the band’s excellent rendition encapsulated the essence of the live ensemble of the highly experimental phase of Pink Floyd before the release of The Dark Side of the Moon and the key elements of the era’s rock music as much as they could. The experience of “Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun” at EX Theater was no different.

Following Yutaro Ogida’s gong and Yoshitaka Mikuni’s sci-fi-like heavy synth, Takehiko ‘shake’ Kogure’s delicately resonating guitar riff, paired with Kenneth Andrew’s whispering vocals that surpassed Roger’s in emotional depth, created a trip atmosphere. It felt like being immersed in a gathering of sun-cursed souls when listening to the song indoors.

As the performance progressed, Katsumi Kashiwabara’s powerful, speedy drum kicking echoed throughout the venue, as if it boosted Takehiko ‘shake’ Kogure building up trancey guitar sound and Yoshitaka Mikuni’s Mellotron that sounded like black magic, as they spread throughout the audience. This intensity is something that cannot be experienced at a Roger Waters or David Gilmour concert; it is unique to Genshi Shinbo’s performance. And with the second set featuring the reenactment of The Dark Side of the Moon where Genshi Shinbo delivered a ‘moon-blessed performance’ during the June concert, it’s no wonder that fans keep coming back to their shows.

7. Echoes Part II

As with the original Live at Pompeii, the second part of the “Echoes” reenactment began. The sound effects, evoking the boiling of a volcano, set the stage, followed by Takehiko ‘shake’ Kogure’s guitar mimicking the cries of seagulls, which reverberated throughout the hall. The warm synth tones from Yoshitaka Mikuni seemed to soothe the seagulls, and Harunobu Okubo’s piano burst forth like sweet drops, creating a beautiful harmony that left the audience on the edge of their seats. Once again, Kenneth Andrew’s gentle yet powerful vocals elevated the song to an epic level.
It was a moment of pure joy, feeling utterly immersed in the Pompeii atmosphere once more.
After a brief intermission, the reenactment of The Dark Side of the Moon would begin, which will be covered in the second part of this blog.
Genshi Shinbo, whose spectacular live performances transcend the realm of a mere Pink Floyd tribute band, will soon embark on a new tour, the Division Bell 30th Anniversary Tour.

On this tour, the band will feature Pink Floyd’s 1994 album The Division Bell, led by David Gilmour, while the band is also preparing a setlist that spans the entire history of Pink Floyd. This promises to be a dream come true for fans who have longed for a performance reminiscent of the tour for the original The Division Bell, a tour that Pink Floyd was unable to bring to Japan at the time. The tour dates in November have been confirmed for Nagano, Kanazawa, Nagoya, and Kobe.

The Division Bell 30th Anniversary Tour
2024/11/12 (Tue.) Nagano Live House J
2024/11/13 (Wed.) Kanazawa Gold Creek
2024/11/15 (Fri.) Nagoya ElectricLadyLand
2024/11/16 (Sat.) Kobe Chicken George
2024/11/17 (Sun.) Kobe Chicken George

And what’s more is the final show of the Genshi Shinbo 2024 Tour has been confirmed for December 30 (Mon.) at EX Theater Roppongi, where they will hold the The Division Bell 30th Anniversary Year-End Special!

This year, the band will once again feature a brass orchestra and chorus for a performance of Atom Heart Mother. This Tokyo show promises to be a night that will leave an indelible mark on the hearts of Pink Floyd fans in 2024 with a 100-member choir, offering a unique chance to make history in Japan’s Western music scene! For more details, check out the official Genshi Shinbo website.
Genshi Shinbo Tour Dates

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)
Reika Tomita (Chorus)
Yuki Hirono (Chorus)
Lovely Reina (Chorus)
Image courtesy of Genshi Shinbo

Lastly, let me introduce an item that will delight Pink Floyd fans, available at Sound House!

Warm Audio / Jet Phaser

The Jet Phaser from Warm Audio is a phaser pedal inspired by the rock sounds of the 1970s.
It recreates the phaser tones that many guitarists, including David Gilmour, adopted during that era. The pedal features six modes and allows you to create your desired phaser sound by adjusting the JET LEVEL, RESONANCE, and SLOW RATE knobs.