Released in January 1977, Animals arrived at a moment when Pink Floyd were firmly established as one of the most powerful and influential acts in popular music. Building on the enormous success of The Dark Side of the Moon (1973) and Wish You Were Here (1975), the band used Animals to present a darker, more overtly political statement, inspired in part by George Orwell’s Animal Farm. The album reached the top of the UK charts and further reinforced Floyd’s reputation for ambitious concepts and uncompromising themes. By the spring of 1977, Pink Floyd were not only commercially dominant, but also creatively confident, willing to challenge audiences rather than simply repeat past triumphs.

To bring Animals to the stage, the band embarked on the In The Flesh Tour, an extensive and technically demanding run of shows across Europe and North America. The concerts were structured in two distinct halves, reflecting both their new direction and their recent legacy. The first set was devoted entirely to Animals, performed in sequence with extended instrumental passages and dramatic staging. After an interval, the band returned for a second set drawing on other recent material, including selections from Wish You Were Here and The Dark Side of the Moon. The tour was notable for its scale, featuring large inflatable puppets, a pyrotechnic ‘waterfall’, and one of the biggest and most elaborate stages seen at that time.

The performance at Cleveland Stadium, Ohio, on 25 June 1977 captures Pink Floyd at the height of their powers. Recorded as part of the ‘World Series of Rock’, a recurring, day-long, multi-act summer concert series held from 1974 to 1980, the show was a seismic occasion that drew more than 80,000 fans. The playing is focused, weighty and emotionally charged, with the band fully immersed in the stark atmosphere of the Animals material while delivering the latter set with precision and depth.

Track info    

DISC ONE

1 Sheep  12:12

2 Pigs ON the Wing (Part 1)  2:06

3 Dogs  17:28

4 Pigs On The Wing (Part 2)  2:19

5 Pigs (Three Different Ones)  21:10

DISC TWO

1 Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts I-V)  11:13

2 Welcome To The Machine  8:16

3 Have A Cigar  6:03

4 Wish You Were Here  5:55

5 Sine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts VI-IX)  23:03 

6 Money  11:03

7 Us And Them  6:42