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The family of Syd Barrett and organisers Neil Jones, Mark Wilkinson and Rob Ayling have today announced a programme of official events to celebrate what would have been Syd Barrett’s 80th birthday and to raise money for mental health charities. Centred around a spectacular live concert at Cambridge Corn Exchange on 10 October (World Mental Health Day), headlined by Kula Shaker and featuring bands influenced and inspired by Syd Barrett such as Soft Machine, Men on the Border, Diana Silveira & The Psychedelic Circus, Radhika, and Pünk Floyd, with additional surprise guests set to be announced, tickets will go on sale at on Friday 19 June via www.cornex.co.uk
Syd Barrett, the pioneering songwriter, artist and founding member of Pink Floyd, played his last ever live performance at the Cambridge Corn Exchange on 24 February 1972, making this the perfect venue to celebrate his life and body of work. Audiences will also experience a mesmerising liquid light show from acclaimed visual artist The Mad Alchemist (from Los Angeles), creating an immersive psychedelic spectacle inspired by Barrett’s pioneering vision. The concert follows a previous sell-out Syd Barrett celebratory show at the Corn Exchange in 2016, underlining the enduring affection for Barrett’s music and legacy in the city he called home.
The anniversary will also be marked with the release of a very special album, released only on physical double coloured vinyl and Double CD which contains bonus material not available on the vinyl, celebrating Barrett’s extraordinary creative legacy and enduring influence as a founder of Pink Floyd and his body of solo work. The album and CD are released on 9th October 2026 and feature a carefully curated selection of brand-new studio recordings, previously unreleased material and standout live performances spanning several years. The album offers fresh interpretations of some of Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd’s most iconic songs and was mastered by Jon Astley (Rolling Stones / Paul McCartney/ The Who / David Bowie). Tracks include ‘See Emily Play’, ‘Arnold Layne’, ‘Astronomy Domine’, ‘Octopus’ and ‘Terrapin’, performed by artists including All About Eve, Kula Shaker, Mystery Jets, Voyage 35 and Rosalie Cunningham, alongside recordings from fellow Pink Floyd members David Gilmour featuring David Bowie and Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets. The album’s sleeve features one of Syd Barrett’s most iconic images and has been created by Mark Wilkinson, famous for Iron Maiden, Marillion and Judas Priest sleeves.
Alongside the album and concert, a major exhibition exploring Barrett’s life, art and cultural impact will open on Saturday 3 October (until Friday 9 October) 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.”
The album is available for pre-order now, and tickets for the concert are on-sale via www.cornex.co.uk. For more info on the exhibition, visit www.sydbarrett.com.
Corn Exchange lineup
A celebration of Syd Barrett featuring:
Kula Shaker
Soft Machine
Men on the Border
Diana Silveira & The Psychedelic Circus
Radhika
Pünk Flöyd
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Mad Alchemy analogue Liquid Light Show
Clowns and Jugglers, The Songs of Syd Barrett
Vinyl track order
Side 1
1) Arnold Layne Pink Floyd / Rick Wright vocal
2) Astronomy Domine Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets
3) See Emily Play All About Eve
4) Love You Mystery Jets
5) Chapter 24 Violeta de Outono
6) Two Of A Kind Dave Harris & Zeus B Held
Side 2
1) No Good Trying/Interstellar Overdrive Kula Shaker
2) Apples & Oranges Voyage 35
3) Gigolo Aunt Robyn Hitchcock ft. John Paul Jones
4) Lucifer Sam Rosalie Cunningham
5) Golden Hair Tim Bowness
6) Effervescing Elephant Jim Sclavunos
Side 3
1) Rhamadan (edit) Soft Machine
2) Long Gone Uncle Acid And The Deadbeats
3) Matilda Mother Radhika ft. Norman Blake & Future Pilot AKA
4) Scream Thy Last Scream Men On The Border
5) Bike Pünk Barrett
Side 4
1) Octopus (edit) Diana Silveira x The Psychedelic Circus
2) Baby Lemonade Love with Johnny Echols
3) Terrapin Henge
4) Late Night Theo Travis / RichKo vocal
5) Arnold Layne David Gilmour / David Bowie vocal
