Marcelo Paulo de Souza is a Brazilian Pink Floyd collector and aficionado who has lived in London for over 30 years. Our thanks to Marcelo for kindly supplying the following chat with author Rob Chapman.

During The Madcap's Lasting Laugh, the eight-day celebration of Syd Barrett's life at The Piper in St Leonards-on-Sea, I had the chance to speak with Rob Chapman, the author of Syd Barrett: A Very Irregular Head, widely considered the definitive biography of Syd, and of Psychedelia and Other Colours, his acclaimed history of psychedelia and a Guardian, Mojo and Rough Trade Book of the Year. We talked outside the venue on Sunday 5 July, the day after his talk Syd's Last Stand, where he was interviewed on stage by Tony Higgins. I wrote about the festival and the unveiling of Syd's famous floorboards in my earlier feature for Brain Damage; this is the second article from that weekend.

This was the third time I have met Rob. The first was at the premiere of Have You Got It Yet? The Story of Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd, the documentary about Syd. The second was at a talk and book signing organised by the Walthamstow Rock ‘n' Roll Book Club, practically around the corner from my house, where he spoke about Unsung Unsaid and signed my copies of his Syd biography and the lyrics book. On both occasions he was welcoming and always ready to talk.

A lifetime of thinking

I opened by repeating something many fans believe: that his book is considered the best because he spent ten years researching it. Rob corrected me, and his answer was better than the legend. He wrote the Mojo obituary when Syd died in 2006, and shortly after that he got a contract through Faber to write the book, which he submitted in 2009. So the research took about two years. But then he reached for a famous story about Picasso. Someone once told Picasso that a child of five could have made one of his works in five minutes. Picasso answered that it took him a lifetime to do it in five minutes. It is the same with the book, Rob told me: a lifetime of thinking and evaluating went into it before the research even began. "It took me 30 years and 2 years."

Steven Wilson has been auctioning several white label test pressings from his personal collection of albums that he has been commissioned to remaster or remix for other artists. All proceeds from the auctions are being donated to charity, and are being sold with the approval of the record labels in question.

One of these is the second and final copy of a white label test pressing of the 4LP Pink Floyd set Live at Los Angeles Sports Arena 1975, which was released worldwide for 2026 Record Store Day. The Record Store Day version was released on clear vinyl but this being a test pressing is a black vinyl version making it even more collectable for Floyd fans, as it is the only way to get it in this format.

As you'll see from the image here, and the auction listing itself, Steven has signed one of the covers of this highly desirable item. The eBay auction runs until July 23rd, at 9:45pm BST so if you are interested in this, you've got around a week from today to get your bids in! Recently Steven offered the other copy of the LA Sports Arena test pressing he had, and, separately, the 2LP Pink Floyd Pompeii test pressing he had, and other saw heavy bidding until the end of the respective auctions. This final opportunity is bound to be even more popular. Best of luck to all who bid, and thanks to Steven for letting us know.

As most of you now know, this year, to mark what would have been Roger "Syd" Barrett's 80 birthday, a range of celebrations have been arranged, including a concert and a major exhibition in Cambridge, as well as a commemorative double LP and double CD, all of which raising money for mental health charities, with all proceeds donated to them. Full details can be found here, along with ordering details for Clowns And Jugglers: The Songs Of Syd Barrett on double vinyl and double CD.

The cover of the album has been hand-created by Mark Wilkinson, an artist who has created artwork for various artists including Marillion, Fish, Judas Priest and Iron Maiden. He created the cover of the 2003 DVD, The Pink Floyd and Syd Barrett Story, and Mark has kindly revealed to us the story behind his latest cover design...

I painted a portrait of Syd Barrett last year, one of my cultural heroes ever since I heard Arnold Layne, Emily and The Piper. I joined the Pink Floyd fanclub in 1968, there were around 500 of us then, with George Best and John Peel as celebrity members. It was an exciting time when anything seemed possible in the arts, and this man, full of beautiful music, writing lyrics unlike anyone else with a wildly colourful imagination was legendary and way ahead of his time.

The painting wasn't commissioned for any purpose, it was simply a passion project, which took 4 months on and off. It's painted on a 91cm square canvas primed with 10 coats of gesso, sanded down to create a mirror-smooth surface to airbrush and paint on. I called it "The Mirror Guitar". Syd Barrett bought a Fender Esquire guitar in early 1965. In late 1966, he wrapped it in silver melinex and glued on some mirror discs, using the guitar to reflect the light shows Pink Floyd had in their early years back into the audience.

He switched to a black Telecaster after that but was quoted as saying "The Mirror Guitar" was by far his favourite. Its current whereabouts is unknown.

A friend of mine posed for the painting, crosslegged with his guitar as I wanted to 're-imagine' Syd in Wetherby Mansions where his first solo album cover 'The Madcap Laughs' was photographed. I changed the direction of the floor boards to create a dynamic perspective, then added the mirror guitar even though it had been lost a few years before. It was an era filled with symbolism. The iconic floor boards, the vase of flowers, and I tried to recreate some of Syd's paintings and drawings leaning against the wall. I stuck mirror discs to the painting of the silver guitar just as Syd had done. The unfailing creativity, strangeness and charisma of Syd Barrett, reunited, out of time with his lost mirror guitar.

When I first exhibited it I met Syd's nephew who invited me to take the painting to The Artyst bar/venue in Cambridge where I met Neil Jones (who had been 20 years director at The Corn Exchange). Neil suggested a concert in what would have been Syd's 80th birthday year in 2026. Rob Ayling then suggested a covers album showcasing Syd's songs. We then decided to have an exhibition to celebrate Syd's life and influence inviting some contemporary artists to show new artwork as well as displaying some of Syd's own art.

October 10th is World Mental Health Day, which seemed perfect to pull all of these elements together. We've all given our time free to this project because we are fans of Syd's unique talents, and in the process it will raise funds for mental health charities chosen by the Barrett family.

Our thanks to Mark for sharing the background to the cover art. For more details of the events in Cambridge in October, please click here.

Marcelo Paulo de Souza is a Brazilian Pink Floyd collector and aficionado who has lived in London for over 30 years. Marcelo kindly supplied this report from a very special event this week in the south of England, with pictures by Marcelo and also Beata Kruczkowska. Our thanks to both of them!

Twenty years after Syd Barrett's death, and in the year he would have turned 80, a grassroots music venue on the south coast of England is keeping his memory alive in the most literal way possible: with the painted floorboards from his London flat on display for anyone to come and see. I was at the venue on Sunday 5 July, the day of the unveiling, where I recorded video interviews with the people at the heart of the celebration.

The Piper in St Leonards-on-Sea has just turned seven years old. Its name comes from The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, Pink Floyd's debut album, and the location is no accident. Hastings Pier, directly across from the venue, was where Syd played his final gig with Pink Floyd on 20 January 1968.

Owner Chris Barnett, who I interviewed outside the venue on the day of the unveiling, moved to the coast from Hackney in London, where he had watched pub after pub close down. When he found this beautiful building standing empty and derelict, he decided to turn it into a new grassroots music venue: a home for bands, DJs, and what he calls the collective psychedelic alternative community. The pub was called the Norman Arms. He renamed it The Piper. Even the Wi-Fi password is a nod to the album.

Eight days for Syd

This week the venue is running The Madcap's Lasting Laugh, an eight-day celebration of Syd's life, marking the 20th anniversary of his passing on 7 July and the unveiling of his iconic floorboards. The opening weekend brought Twink (the drummer known for his work with the Pretty Things and the Pink Fairies, and a member of Stars, the short-lived supergroup he formed with Syd in Cambridge in 1972), along with talks, a film screening and panel discussions. Still to come are Ozric Tentacles, Bernard Butler, a Sydfest all-dayer of psychedelic bands, and the Mystery Jets.

The guest list reads like a who's who of Syd's world. Jenny Spires, Syd's former girlfriend from the Cambridge days. Ian Barrett, Syd's nephew. Jerry Shirley, who played on both The Madcap Laughs and Barrett, and who performed alongside David Gilmour at Syd's 1970 show at Kensington Olympia. Biographer Rob Chapman. And Jill Drower: former habitué of the UFO Club, member of the Exploding Galaxy, the radical performance art collective of 1967-69, and film maker. Her film about the group, Exploders, was screened at the venue with her own introduction.

Twink, Ian Barrett, Rob Chapman and other guests also came together for Shine On You Crazy Diamond, a panel discussion and celebration held on Monday 6 July, the eve of the anniversary, followed by the Exploders screening.

This year, to mark what would have been Roger "Syd" Barrett's 80 birthday, a range of celebrations have been arranged, including a concert and a major exhibition in Cambridge, as well as a commemorative double LP and double CD, all of which raising money for mental health charities, with all proceeds donated to them.

First, the concert. A natural choice for the location has been picked: Cambridge Corn Exchange, where he gave his final live performance on February 24th 1972. On October 10th, audiences will experience a special concert featuring Kula Shaker, Soft Machine, Men on the Border, Diana Silveira & The Psychedelic Circus, Radhika and Pünk Floyd, with additional surprise guests still to be announced. The event will also feature an immersive liquid light show by Los Angeles visual artist The Mad Alchemist.

Tickets for the concert go on sale at 10am BST on Friday (June 19th) through Cornex.co.uk, the website for the venue.

The anniversary will also be marked by the release of Clowns And Jugglers: The Songs Of Syd Barrett, a commemorative double coloured vinyl and double CD album on October 9th 2026, featuring new recordings, previously unreleased material and standout live performances celebrating Barrett's enduring influence. The cover has been created by Mark Wilkinson, most known for artwork for the likes of Marillion, but who also did the cover for the 2003 DVD, The Pink Floyd and Syd Barrett Story. Contributors to the album include Kula Shaker, Mystery Jets, Rosalie Cunningham, Pink Floyd, David Gilmour and Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets. The full track listing of the vinyl edition can be seen below (the CD track listing is still being finalised).

Alongside the concert and album, a major exhibition exploring Barrett's life, art and cultural impact will run from October 3rd–9th at camopen.space. The exhibition will showcase original paintings and sketches by Syd Barrett, alongside prints of larger works. Visitors will also be able to view work by a number of guest artists, including Barrett’s nephew Ian Barrett, Mark Wilkinson, Mick Rock, Spadge Hopkins, Mikey Georgeson, James Wilkinson and Justin Wiggan & Dominick Allen. A programme of talks from leading Barrett biographers will further explore the life and legacy of one of Britain’s most fascinating creative minds.

Neil Jones, co-organiser of the events, said: "Eighty years after his birth, Syd Barrett's influence remains as powerful as ever. His music, creativity and unique vision continue to inspire artists and audiences across generations. It's especially fitting that this celebration takes place in Cambridge, the city at the heart of his story. Bringing together live music, art and a new album on World Mental Health Day is a fitting tribute to one of the city's most extraordinary cultural figures".

Rosemary Breen, Barrett's sister, said: "The family wholeheartedly support these exciting events in aid of mental health charities. Syd would have been so happy and honoured to know his music was still being enjoyed in Cambridge."

ORDERING INFORMATION:
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Exactly 45 years ago today, Pink Floyd performed The Wall for the last time, in London. The end of an era and at the same time the beginning of a turbulent decade. A fitting day for the publishers of a new book about the album and associated concerts to announce it to the Floydian community!

In the Dutch language book Aangenaam Verdoofd - Bedevaart Naar The Wall (which translates to COMFORTABLY NUMB – PILGRIMAGE TO THE WALL), Charles Beterams and Wouter Bessels describe the complex origin story of the album and the film and the overwhelming impact that the – no more than 31 – concerts have on the visitors. Pink Floyd didn't include The Netherlands on their schedule for The Wall shows. The devoted Dutch followers had to do their utmost to get their hands on the scarce tickets for concerts in London and Dortmund. They become, without having foreseen it, part of a historical journey, a pilgrimage to The Wall in 1980 and 1981. Upon their return, there are the stories, concert reports in the newspapers, and – secretly taken – photos.

That history is now captured for the first time in a 120-page richly illustrated book. The authors spoke with concertgoers and other involved parties and uncovered a lot of unique and previously unpublished footage.

In the years that follow, Roger Waters remains inextricably linked to the album, even after the film's release in 1982. It is therefore not surprising that a reprise follows in Berlin in 1990 after a turbulent decade in which everything seems to be overshadowed by The Wall. The book concludes with a detailed description of the particulars of the 31 concerts and a discography.

Aangenaam Verdoofd - Bedevaart Naar The Wall is released as a luxury hardcover edition. 120 pages on 170-gram paper, size 22 x 22 cm. There are two options available: a limited, numbered, and one-time Regular Edition of 600 copies. They've put aside 100 copies of that which are available as a Signature Edition in a luxury magnetic box with foil printing, containing a signed copy of the book and exclusively a printed silk-like retro scarf as was also sold at the concerts back then.

Both versions are now available for pre-order from Floydstuff.com who are the exclusive stockists of this book. The book will be released on Friday, September 25th, 2026. Those who have seen their previous books will know that they are very well designed and produced, and are well worth adding to your Floydian bookshelves!