The grass was greener, the light was brighter, and the taste was sweeter when we could turn on the radio and hear Pink Floyd’s ‘Wish you Were Here’ blasting from the speakers.

Thankfully, we will be able to relive these times in a night of wonder and friends surrounded at the Adelaide Festival Theatre with “Eclipse – Pink Floyd Orchestrated”.

Pink Floyd’s legendary soundscape will be celebrated by the 10-piece Eclipse Band and Southern Cross Symphony’s 30-piece orchestra at the Adelaide Festival Theatre on 17 July with the world premiere of “Eclipse – Pink Floyd Orchestrated”.

The Eclipse Band and Southern Cross Symphony will recreate the iconic electronically simulated sounds of Pink Floyd with opulent orchestral treatment that the band was looking to create through synthesisers on the original recordings.

Produced entirely within South Australia, the concert boasts a line-up composed of some of Australia’s finest musicians.

Musical director Warwick Cheatle says “the performance demonstrates South Australia’s talent and a willingness to invest in great South Australian product”.

“I was lucky enough to be the musical director of Led Zeppelin Masters through the UK and Europe and could see that there was a wonderful opportunity for South Australian musicians,” Cheatle says.

“I thought, ‘the music of Pink Floyd music combined with orchestra is a perfect marriage, and nobody else is doing this, so why can’t we do it from Adelaide?

‘Let’s bring together the power of the orchestra with the live band, and stage it at the Festival Theatre!”.

Southern Cross Symphony is South Australia’s newest professional orchestra which comprises South Australia’s best talent. The 30-piece ensemble will make its debut under the Southern Cross Symphony banner with “Eclipse – Pink Floyd Orchestrated” with future shows scheduled for Melbourne and, hopefully, internationally.

The orchestra will share the stage with The Eclipse Band, featuring award-winning Adelaide musicians and vocalists.

“We have no shortage of incredible award-winning artists in South Australia,” Cheatle says.

“Paul White is one of the best keyboard players in the world, Mick Kidd is an international award-winning blues guitarist, and Diane Dixon Panopolous is one of South Australia’s most incredible vocalists, and these artists are all here in SA.

“It makes this world-class show such a wonderful treat for South Australians.”

Producer Phil Bathols says “the thing about Pink Floyd is there is this big synth baseline in the music and it’s like an orchestra, but it doesn’t sound like an orchestra, yet that’s the space it’s meant to fill”.

“What we were doing with this concert is orchestrating that synth line,” Bathols says.

“So, rather than hearing those synthesisers, you have a 30-piece orchestra.”

Cheatle and Bathols have been sure to remain true to the authentic sounds and production of Pink Floyd while amplifying the music with the band and orchestra.

“It’s an incredibly complex process,” Bathols says.

“You want the orchestra to be heard, but at the same time, you don’t want to mess around with the music because if fans come along and the music is wildly reinterpreted that will alienate them.

“It’s about doing the orchestrations in such a way that remains true to the original compositions; that augments the experience for the audience but doesn’t alienate them.”

Timed to celebrate 50 years since Pink Floyd’s first Australian tour in 1971, the concert will feature the band’s most iconic tracks including Wish You Were Here and Another Brick in the Wall with 20 special guests from the South Australian Public Primary Schools Choir, in addition to the entire Dark Side of the Moon album.

“We have made a point of including songs we know the die-hard fans want to hear,” Bathols says.

“For someone who is into live music and who is passionate about live music, it’s going to be a very fulfilling experience.

“It will be like hearing Pink Floyd in 4D.”

Grab your tickets before they’re sold out, otherwise, you are sure to wish you were here.