A major tribute concert celebrating the life and influence of Pink Floyd co-founder Syd Barrett will be held in Cambridge on what would have been his 80th birthday.
The event is scheduled for 10 October at the Cambridge Corn Exchange, the same venue where Barrett made his final live performance in 1972. It will bring together a range of artists influenced by his legacy, including Kula Shaker, Soft Machine, Men on the Border, Diana Silveira & The Psychedelic Circus, Radhika, and Pünk Floyd.
Barrett’s sister, Rosemary Breen, said the family fully supports the commemorative events and believes he would have been deeply moved by the continued appreciation of his music.
She added that Barrett would have felt “happy and honoured” knowing his work still resonates with audiences in Cambridge and beyond.
Barrett, born Roger Barrett, was a founding member and the original creative force behind Pink Floyd. His early songwriting helped shape the band’s psychedelic sound and establish its artistic identity in the 1960s.
View this post on Instagram
However, rising fame coincided with personal struggles, including mental health challenges and drug use, which led to increasingly unpredictable behaviour and ultimately his departure from the band.
He later returned to Cambridge, where he lived a quiet life focused largely on painting until his death in 2006.
View this post on Instagram
An accompanying exhibition will also explore Barrett’s artistic legacy, personal life, and cultural impact.
Organisers confirmed that all proceeds from the events will be donated to mental health charities, reflecting the ongoing conversation around wellbeing and creativity in the music industry.
Neil Jones, one of the event’s co-organisers, said Barrett’s influence remains as powerful today as ever, continuing to inspire generations of musicians and fans.