Across the Floydian Soundscape with The Machine

Article Contributed by Patrick Giblin | Published on Monday, March 18, 2024

On Saturday night, The Machine graced the stage at Penn’s Peak, delivering full renditions of three legendary Pink Floyd albums. This New York-based quartet, composed of founder Tahrah Cohen on drums, long-time members Scott Chasolen (keys/vocals) and Ryan Ball (guitar/vocals), along with the latest addition, Chris DeAngelis (bass/vocals), captivated the Northeast Pennsylvania audience with complete performances of "Wish You Were Here," "Animals," and "The Dark Side of the Moon."

Tahran Cohen | The Machine

Scott Chasolen | The Machine

Ryan Ball | The Machine

The Machine | Jim Thorpe, PA

The evening commenced with the 1975 classic "Wish You Were Here," as the pitch-black stage resonated with the opening synth of “Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts I-V).” The band also introduced their first guest musician of the night, John Thompson on saxophone, perfectly recreating the iconic track. Highlights included powerful renditions of “Have a Cigar” and “Welcome to the Machine,” a heartfelt performance of “Wish You Were Here” supported enthusiastically by the audience, and an explorative “Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts VI-IX)” with Ball joining Chasolen on the keys.

The Machine | Penn's Peak

Following a brief standing ovation, the band seamlessly transitioned into "Animals" with the familiar rhythm guitar of “Pigs on the Wing (Part 1),” before embarking on an epic performance of “Dogs,” showcasing DeAngelis’s vocal prowess. They creatively took a set break, mirroring the natural pause of flipping a vinyl record at home. The band returned with the ominous sound of the pig from “Pigs (Three Different Ones).” The performance of “Sheep” stood out, highlighting Chasolen’s keyboard mastery and earning an ovation before the band continued with the album’s closing “Pigs on the Wing (Part 2).”

The Machine | Penn's Peak

A brief ovation gave way to the iconic heartbeat intro of "The Dark Side of the Moon." The band delivered a masterful sequence of “Speak to Me/Breathe” into “On the Run” into “Time,” employing classic visuals reminiscent of the "Delicate Sound of Thunder" era, including Langley Iddins in a flying hospital bed during “On the Run” and rotating clock dials during “Time.”

The Machine | Penn's Peak

Abby Ahmed | The Machine

Performing "The Dark Side of the Moon" in its entirety always raises questions about how the band will approach the vocally demanding “Great Gig in the Sky.” The Machine answered this emphatically with Abby Ahmed leading the charge. Her rendition guided the audience through the song and transitioned seamlessly into the cash register sounds of “Money.” Thompson rejoined to enhance a dynamic “Money,” a poignant “Us and Them,” and a groovy “Any Colour You Like.” The band concluded the set with “Brain Damage” into “Eclipse,” supported by Ahmed's vocals.

The Machine | Jim Thope, PA

The evening concluded on a high note with encores of the darkly meditative “One of These Days” and a rousing “Comfortably Numb” featuring Ahmed on the 12-string guitar.

The Machine | Jim Thorpe, PA

Don’t miss The Machine as they continue their tour through Connecticut, New York, Arkansas, Tennessee, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania through the end of April and into May.

Setlists:

    Set 1: "Wish You Were Here" (Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts I – V), Welcome to the Machine, Have a Cigar, Wish You Were Here, Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts VI – IX))
    Set 2: "Animals" (Continued: Pigs (Three Different Ones), Sheep, Pigs on the Wing (Part 2)) "The Dark Side of the Moon" (Speak to Me/Breathe > On the Run > Time > Breathe (Reprise) > Great Gig in the Sky > Money > Us and Them > Any Colour You Like > Brain Damage > Eclipse)

Encore: One of These Days, Comfortably Numb