David Gilmour is best known as the guitarist, vocalist and songwriter for the legendary rock band Pink Floyd. After founding member Syd Barrett left the band in 1968, Gilmour stepped in and helped shape the band’s progressive and psychedelic sound over the next several decades. Pink Floyd released multiple hit albums including The Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here and The Wall. While the band officially disbanded in 2014, Gilmour has continued to perform and tour as a solo artist over the years. Fans are often eager to know if and when Gilmour may be touring, especially in major markets like the United States.
Recent Touring Activity
Gilmour has stayed active as a live performer despite Pink Floyd ending. He typically does short tours or limited engagements. Some recent David Gilmour touring activity includes:
- March – April 2016 – South America and North America Tour
- March – April 2019 – North America Tour
- September 2019 – Three shows at the Roman Colosseum in Rome, Italy
The 2019 concerts in Rome were in support of Gilmour’s latest solo album Rattle That Lock which was released in 2015. These shows marked the first time the Roman Colosseum hosted a rock concert.
So while Gilmour has not avoided touring altogether, he has kept to relatively short runs focused in certain regions. The 2019 Roman dates remained his only shows that year.
Future Tour Plans
As of October 2023, David Gilmour has not announced any upcoming touring plans or concerts. His last public performances were the trio of Roman Colosseum shows in September 2019.
Typically an announcement for a major tour would come several months in advance through Gilmour’s social media channels or website. There have been no indications so far that the guitarist has firm plans to return to the stage.
Fans hoping for U.S. shows will likely be waiting indefinitely. His 2016 North American dates hit less than 10 cities, all on the East Coast or in Canada. He did not tour the western half of the continent. Like most artists, Gilmour tends to vary geographical regions each time he tours. His last true coast-to-coast North American tour was back in 2006 behind his On an Island album.
So for American fans hoping Gilmour will bring his famed guitar solos to their city, it seems unlikely for the near future unless a surprise announcement happens.
Why David Gilmour Tours Infrequently
There are a few major factors that contribute to Gilmour’s sparse touring schedule compared to many modern artists:
- He prioritizes his family life – Gilmour has cited spending time with his wife and children as a top priority at this stage in his career.
- Health issues – Ongoing issues with asthma have made touring logistically difficult.
- He prefers short tours – Even dating back to Pink Floyd days, Gilmour has generally disliked grueling yearlong global tours.
- Limited pressure – With his legacy secured, Gilmour does not face pressure from a label to constantly be on the road promoting an album.
In a 2015 interview before his Rattle That Lock tour, Gilmour stated:
“I’m not anxious to get back on an endless treadmill of touring and make that my life again. I’m hoping to do some shows and slip back into a bit of normality with my family.”
This helps explain why he continues to only do sporadic shows and has avoided major U.S. tours post-2015. At age 77, it is hard to envision him embarking on a lengthy worldwide tour again.
Demand for U.S. Shows Remains High
While David Gilmour is not touring the United States anytime soon, demand remains incredibly high to see him perform live. Whenever he does short tours or one-off shows, tickets typically sell out in minutes.
For example, when he announced his 2016 North American dates, tickets for New York City’s Madison Square Garden sold out in under 10 minutes. Shows in Toronto and Chicago also sold out immediately. Secondary market ticket prices averaged over $600 each for these concerts according to Pollstar.
So the combination of his legend status and infrequent performances creates immense demand. Crowds also tend to span multiple generations, from older fans who grew up with Pink Floyd to younger listeners discovering the band anew.
In the rare instance Gilmour does announce a proper U.S. tour again, expect ticket sales and prices to be astronomical based on past demand. But nothing on the horizon suggests American cities are in his plans.
Alternatives for U.S. Fans
Since the prospects of a Gilmour tour reaching American venues remains highly unlikely at present, fans do have some alternative options to consider:
See a Pink Floyd tribute act
Top Pink Floyd tribute bands like Brit Floyd, The Machine and Eclipse faithfully recreate the band’s iconic music, staging and visuals. While not the same as seeing the original members play, it can be the next best thing. These acts tour regularly across the U.S.
Watch concert films
Concert films like Pink Floyd: Live at Pompeii (1972), Pulse (1995) and David Gilmour: Live at Pompeii (2017) showcase the band and Gilmour in top form. The Pompeii films are particularly hailed for the unique setting inside an ancient Roman amphitheater.
Experience a laser light show
Many planetariums around the U.S. offer Pink Floyd laser light shows paired with music. These shows with psychedelic lights and visuals can somewhat mimic the live concert aesthetic.
While these are not perfect substitutes, they do allow Pink Floyd and Gilmour fans to celebrate the musicians if concert touring remains off the table.
Potential for Special Events
Despite his general disinterest in touring, there are scenarios where David Gilmour could possibly be convinced to perform for specific special events or causes:
- Charity show – Gilmour is known for his philanthropy and could be inclined to headline a benefit concert for an important cause.
- Major world event – Like Pink Floyd’s 2005 Live 8 reunion, a notable global event could bring a reclusive Gilmour back on stage.
- Rock Hall induction – If Pink Floyd ever gets inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Gilmour may perform at the ceremony.
- Band reunion – A full or partial Pink Floyd reunion for an anniversary or tribute is less likely but cannot be ruled out.
However these would likely be one-off events rather than indications of an actual tour. Outside of limited scenarios like this, Gilmour himself has shown no signs of interest in extended U.S. touring. Fans should keep hopes in check unless a major announcement happens.
What About Roger Waters?
Former Pink Floyd bassist and songwriter Roger Waters tours the United States far more frequently than Gilmour. While they are not touring together, Waters essentially picks up the slack for American fans who want to experience Pink Floyd’s music live.
Some key differences between Waters’ and Gilmour’s touring habits:
Roger Waters | David Gilmour |
---|---|
Regular world tours including North America | Infrequent short tours focused on specific regions |
Elaborate live productions and visuals | More stripped down band focus |
Lengthy 2+ hour shows | Typically 90-120 minute sets |
Waters has embarked on multiple tours since Pink Floyd’s breakup that hit U.S. stadiums and arenas coast to coast. His last North American tour spanned 2017 into 2018. He typically plays a wide range of Pink Floyd classics along with solo material.
So while Gilmour remains off the touring circuit, Roger Waters still delivers Pink Floyd’s iconic music live for American audiences on a regular basis. His tour production aesthetics also aim to mimic the band’s essence. Waters provides an alternative, albeit imperfect, option for U.S. fans. But he obviously cannot replace Gilmour’s singular magic.
Conclusion
In summary, former Pink Floyd guitarist and singer David Gilmour currently has no tour dates or public plans to perform in the United States or anywhere else. He has always toured infrequently, even during his Pink Floyd days. Solo outings like his 2016 North American jaunt have been limited to less than a dozen dates focused in certain regions.
While demand remains sky-high to see Gilmour live, especially on a full U.S. tour, his priorities at age 77 seem to be enjoying family time and selective performances. American fans hoping to catch him live have little choice but to hope he announces a surprise return to the stage. In the meantime, they can turn to tribute acts, concert films and other options to experience Pink Floyd’s music until Gilmour himself comes back for an encore.