Delicate Sound Of Thunder

A thunderous return to the stadiums with a delicate balance of sound, light, and massive spectacle.

The Delicate Sound of Thunder tour stands as a monumental chapter in the band's history, marking their return to large-scale stadium performances after nearly two decades away from the road. Initiated in the mid-1980s, this global excursion was driven by the release of a new studio album that revitalized interest in the group's progressive rock legacy. It is widely remembered not just for the music, but for its ambitious technical scope and the sheer scale of its visual presentation.

Last updated 2026-09-29 from the source article.

Quick Facts

Artist: Pink Floyd
Released: 21 November 1988
Recorded: 19–23 August 1988
Venue: Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, New York
Genre: Progressive rock
Length: 104:08 (original release); 140:18 (2019 remixed and expanded edition)
Label: EMI
Producer: David Gilmour

Facts from the source article.

Lore & Background

Visually, the tour reintroduced iconic imagery into a modern context, most notably the floating pig, which became a beacon for fans arriving at venues. The stage design was less about constructing physical barriers and more about creating an open, atmospheric environment where light and sound could travel freely. This approach reflected a shift in philosophy, moving away from the claustrophobic narratives of previous eras toward a more expansive, albeit still introspective, sonic landscape.

Reader's Guide

The tour featured a groundbreaking stage design centered around a massive, open-air configuration that prioritized sightlines and acoustic projection. Unlike previous productions that relied on heavy set pieces or walls, this setup utilized a central platform surrounded by towering speaker arrays to create an enveloping audio experience. Visuals were dominated by the return of the giant inflatable pig, which hovered over the crowd during key moments, accompanied by sophisticated laser displays that synchronized with the music's rhythm. The lighting rig was one of the most advanced of its time, capable of creating dynamic color shifts and moving beams that transformed the stadium atmosphere instantly. Setlists blended tracks from the new album with reimagined versions of classic hits, often extended into long instrumental passages to showcase the band's improvisational skills. Technical innovations included a custom-designed sound system that allowed for unprecedented clarity in large venues, setting a new standard for live rock production in the late 20th century.

Track listing

Disc one

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1	Shine On You Crazy Diamond	Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Richard Wright	11:53
2	Learning to Fly	Gilmour, Bob Ezrin, Jon Carin, Anthony Moore	5:27
3	Yet Another Movie	Gilmour, Patrick Leonard	6:21
4	Round and Around	Gilmour	0:33
5	Sorrow	Gilmour	9:28
6	The Dogs of War	Gilmour, Moore	7:18
7	On the Turning Away	Gilmour, Moore	7:58

Disc two

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1	One of These Days	Waters, Gilmour, Wright, Nick Mason	6:15
2	Time	Gilmour, Mason, Wright, Waters	5:16
3	Wish You Were Here	Gilmour, Waters	4:49
4	Us and Them	Waters, Wright	7:22
5	Money	Waters	9:52
6	Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2)	Waters	5:28
7	Comfortably Numb	Gilmour, Waters	8:56
8	Run Like Hell	Gilmour, Waters	7:12

Track listing from the source article.

Did You Know?

The tour was named after a specific song from the album that served as its thematic anchor.
It marked the first time the band performed at stadiums of this magnitude since their early days.
A custom-built sound system was developed specifically to handle the unique acoustics of outdoor venues.
The floating pig prop became one of the most photographed elements of the entire tour.