The Most Picturesque Concert of All Time?

Pink Floyd in Venice, 1989

Hrefna Helgadóttir

Maybe you remember this, and maybe you weren't even born, but in 1989 Pink Floyd held a concert on a floating stage in Venice. Wish you were there, much?

Thanks to it being night-time and 80s camera technology, there is video footage that captures the concert part of the concert. But for the jaw-dropping setting, the photos paint the true picture of what an epic event this was.

The concert was originally planned for a square in the city, but out of legitimate concerns that the whole piazza would literally sink, it was moved to a floating stage on the water. That didn't mean it wasn't controversial still, as decibel levels needed to be lowered as not to damage the monumental buildings all around.

The whole show was broadcast to an estimated 100 million people in addition to the 150 thousand people who attended the live event.

And while the show ended up being controversial, probably because of the fragile nature of the city of Venice, and the limitations of setting up the adequate infrastructure for such a big event – we still think that this may be the most picturesque concert of all time.

openculture.com Pink Floyd Plays in Venice on a Massive Floating Stage in 1989; Forces the Mayor & City Council to Resign The show ended up becoming a major scandal, splitting traditionalists in the city government and progressives on the council---who believed Venice “must be open to new trends, including rock music” (deemed “new” in 1989)

vintag.es 33 Photographs of Pink Floyd Concert in Venice on a Massive Floating Stage in 1989 A concert combined with Redentore, it was 15 July 1989 – the night was unforgettable, who can imagine a stage for a rock band in waters in f...

We'd be curious though to know if there are other contenders?
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