Roger Waters
September 23rd, 2006
Nissan Pavilion
Bristow, Virginia
I pulled into the Nissan Pavilion parking lot about an hour before showtime and the place was already packed beyond expectations. During my long walk to the entrance gate, I noticed license plates from nearly every state on the East coast, which complemented the wall to wall tailgate parties filled with fans from every possible generation. This was more than just a rock concert for most people - it was the concert event of the decade.
The Dark Side Of The Moon is one of the best selling and most acclaimed rock and roll albums of all time, produced by one of the greatest bands in history, Pink Floyd. Tonight it would be performed in its entirety by one of that band's founding members and chief architects, Roger Waters. This had been done once before, in 1994, by a Waters-less Pink Floyd, and it was captured magnificently on the recently released Pulse DVD. Waters performance would be quite different.
The enormity of a Pink Floyd show during their prime will probably never be matched again - unless of course if Waters were to rejoin the band, but the music of Pink Floyd has certainly flourished in Waters' able hands, as this tour, and the equally brilliant In The Flesh tour of 2000, so remarkably attest. Waters seems to cherish and respect the music and legacy of Pink Floyd a little bit more than Gilmour and company, and his performances come across as more poignant and personal. He also has no problem putting on a good old fashioned mind-blower of a stage show too.
My wife and I took our seats in the 25,000 person capacity Nissan Pavilion at about 7:45 pm and were soon overwhelmed by the electricity and excitement that filled the air. Our seats were about two-thirds of the way back and dead center in the reserved seating area. Gazing behind us, the sea of people crowding the lawn seating area indicated an obvious sold out show. The stage was centered by one of the biggest single video screens I have ever seen, and it was displaying, with amazingly sharp detail, a giant still life picture of a whiskey bottle and shot glass in front of a vintage radio.
At about 8:00 pm, the still life comes to life as a giant hand pours a shot of whiskey and then returns the glass half full. The owner of the hand, who is yet unseen, exhales streams of cigarette smoke across the screen, and occasionally reaches up to change the radio station. Real smoke effects create a great 3D visual to enhance the screen images. The man eventually settles on the jazz standard "My Funny Valentine", which took us up to the real start of the show. It was all very surreal.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Donnie Marler
I have to say I'm one of the few 'people of a certain age' that never got into Pink Floyd's music at all.
Well done review, even if I'm not a fan.
One comment, and it doesn't apply only to Mr. Waters. Why can't entertainers just entertain and shut the hell up about their political views? If I pay to see them, I'm there to hear the music. I don't give a damn about their opinion.
2 - El Bicho
Paul, thanks for the preview. I'm going to the Hollywood Bowl show next week, but couldn't resist a peek. I saw the In The Flesh tour you referenced and had a blast.
Did you by any chance catch the tour for "Radio Kaos"? "Concert" seems to confining as it was multimedia event as Waters recreated and expanded the entire story from the album. He brought Jim Ladd along to reprise the role of The DJ. The show started with the house lights up and Jim had a little radio booth in the corner of the stage. He played Rush's "Spirit of the Radio" and the crowd went crazy.
Donnie, since you haven't been a fan you wouldn't know this, but Waters' songs have been political for a long time. To wonder why he can't "just entertain and shut the hell up about [his] political views" is like wondering why Willie Nelson plays country music at his shows.
Anyone who goes to see Waters and is surprised is obviously not paying attention to what they are listening to. Too much time with the bong and the black light, I guess.
3 - aNDy
right-o, el bicho
4 - Paul Roy
El Bicho, this was the first time I have seen Waters' live, and it was because I was so impressed with his In The Flesh Live DVD. Too bad he didn't film the Radio KAOS tour for DVD huh? And you are right, Waters is one of the more political songwriters out there, especially the anti-war topic, so people should not be so shocked by his concerts.
5 - charlo
I think the the wording and the location of the words were perfectly matched. Maybe if common sense cant get us inspired enough to get these jerk-offs out of office music can!
6 - Josh
Excellent review. I just caught the Chicago show Friday night. You are certainly correct about the Kilimister replacement of Doyle Bramhall II. Doyle was spot on with the guitar work - and he used a Stratocaster (like Gilmour), what was that Tele doing on the stage???
How about John Carin!!?? He toured on the In The Flesh Tour as well as Gilmour's recent On An Island tour - and does a near perfect job on vocals and Keyboard/Acoutsic.
I only wish I could see this show again!!
An interesting note: Did you notice how Waters' replaced the iconic Hammers from "The Wall" with an "oil rig"? This was shown during a couple songs, usually with referance to war and greed. I agree with Donnie Marler (post #1), sometimes political views needn't be incorporated into a concert such as this... but it's tough to disagree!
7 - Laurie
We were at the sold out Hollywood Bowl this evening and the concert was incredible. It is everything you said and well worth it totally!
8 - Diana
Just came back from the Hollywood Bowl Waters concert, where I WALKED OUT when the guy started spewing his ridiculous political bullshit!
What other country in this entire world would allow a has-been old-fart english dude to come to our country and insult and criticize not only the president of the nation, but by the same token, everyone (the majority by democratic rule) who voted for him! I was appauled that NOBODY made a peep. Maybe because in my $250 seat, most were smoking pot and probably didn't even know where they were!
If Waters is so keen on "it's all about money", why doesn't he sing for free? He hates my country but he sure as hell loves my money!
Why don't we send Toby Keith to Venezuela and have him sing shit about Chavez? Do you think Toby would be allowed to even finish the song? How about the Stones, who had to "negotiate" the songs they could sing in China, and yet bent over backwards for the opportunity! And this guy, an guy who is nobody without the original band, a guy who is the last vesitges of a time long gone, and who people "think" they can somehow use him to get back to that special place where they might have even felt happy for one day. This guy, who would be a lowlife but-for the United States of America and our mighty buying power. This guy, is allowed to come to MY COUNTRY and spit on me and my President!
No wonder we have problems. We have TRAITORS surrounding us! The enemy is not abroad. NO. The enemy is right here, it is the thousands of people in that Hollywood Bowl, not making a single peep!
SHAME ON ALL OF YOU.
9 - Paul Roy
Diana, I can understand your dislike (to put it mildly) of Waters' politics, but why did you pay $250 to see this "has-been old-fart english dude...who is nobody without the original band" in the first place? Where you completely unaware of his politics up until the concert? I'm just glad I live in a country where someone like him is allowed to come in "spewing his ridiculous political bullshit!" You missed an otherwise great show.
10 - Lauricelli
Wow, what a fabulous concert. We went to the Hollywood Bowl last night and were not disappointed. The review is spot on. If you don't have a ticket and are thinking about seeing this concert get a ticket and go! The sound was amazing.
Where I was sitting there were a lot of "peeps". They were cheers for for the politics and Roger Waters. I did not interpret his songs as against America or myself, just against certain politics. Disagreeing with politics is what our country is founded on. As far as I know our country came together to be free from religious and political persecution. What are we doing now?
As for our "mighty buying power" I certainly didn't experience that in Europe. Has anyone been outside of "our" country and tried to use our incredibly shrinking dollar? And as for not mixing politics and music I guess everyone should just do away with national anthems. Everything has a flipside and it's good to see both sides or at least be aware they exist.
Rock on Roger.
11 - Mitch
I agree totally with Diana, though I sat through that crap. I've been a big Pink Floyd fan since 1973 and saw Rogers Waters a few years back but I will NEVER go to see him again. I felt betrayed when he turned his old songs into a political rally. When I pay money to see a concert, I expect a concert not a political rally. "Impeach Bush" and "Vote Democratic"? I was waiting for the crowd to start chanting "We want Kerry!"
Waters is against tyranny and against war? Those two don't go together. You have to pick one of those stands. You can't have both at the same time. He seems to think the "Christian Right" and Nancy Reagan are to blame for the world's problems. As I left the Hollywood Bowl, I wondered gravely whether Waters would immediately suspect those evil Christians if a bomb went off in the pedestrian tunnel.
And something about someone from another country coming over here and demanding we oust our president really raises my hackles. Just because we're not booing doesn't mean we agree.
Go home, Waters, and don't come back.
12 - El Bicho
I always love hearing from knuckleheads who only believe in freedom of speech when they agree with it what is being said.
"I was appauled[sp] that NOBODY made a peep. Maybe because in my $250 seat, most were smoking pot and probably didn't even know where they were!"
I was at that show and people did make a peep. A number got to their feet and screamed in approval, and not just because you walked out. If you find Waters to be a has been and a nobody, yet still paid $250 to see a concert you knew nothing about, he's right about your intelligence.
People were smoking pot in every section, and I'll repeat you must have been high when you previously listened to Pink Floyd to not know that the show would be political. Did you just go to hear "Money" and "Another Brick in the Wall, Pt 2"? It sounds like you were the one who didn't know where she was.
Waters doesn't hate this country, just its policies that kill innocent people. He sang in England where he insulted and criticized Blair, so that's one other country that allows it. Sorry if it makes you feel less special.
By the way, it's not your country. It belongs to all of us. Maybe you should move to one of those countries that doesn't allow people to speak out against the government if you have a problem with it.
As for the concert, Paul did Nick Mason appear at your show? He came out for the second set and played the remainder of the show, and I was curious if he was part of the tour or something special for LA. The visuals and audio were fantastic, especially the surround sound. Technically, Waters always puts on one of the best performances.
It says a great deal of Gilmour's talents that Waters needs three different lead guitar players. I thought they did a very good job 95% of the time, but would just miss the notes every once in a while. The woman on Great Gig sounded amazing.
13 - Mitch
I don't understand this thinking that musicians and actors are allowed to stand up there and espouse their political views -- but none of us are allowed to respond. Of course, they're free to voice their views. They doing just that. But by the same token, we are also allowed to opine. Somehow some people seem to think this is a one-way street.
As for being unaware of the views of Roger Waters, I saw one of his concerts a half-dozen years ago and Pink Floyd a couple of times, but nothing at those concerts was quite like this. Holding up a giant pig in front of us that says, "Impeach Bush," while shining lights on it and moving it slowly around the stadium just in case someone missed their political placard. I'm surprised someone didn't walk up behind me, grab my head and aim my eyes at the thing.
Yes, he has the freedom to espouse his views. And I have the freedom to criticize his concerts. And not go to them anymore.
That's nice that an Arab put him up for the night when he was 17. That was 35 years or so ago. That neighborhood has changed since then. (And apparently, no American has ever shown him such kindness.)
14 - Mitch
"A number got to their feet and screamed in approval"
The concert WAS in Hollywood.
15 - Paul Roy
El Bicho, No Mason wasn't at the Virginia show. I think he only showed up at a few select shows, but I may be wrong.
16 - El Bicho
Although I responded before seeing your comments, Mitch, it is patently false to say you aren't allowed to respond to the concert. Where was that said? Who stopped you? Were your comments erased? Or is it that you are allowed to comment on Waters, but no one can comment on Diane's comments?
She doesn't challenge Waters views. She resorts to name calling and calls the concert goers traitors. That is just as ridiculous as Waters' call for impeachment, but you appear to have no problem with that, Mitch, even though she brands you with the same slur because of your silence at the show.
Diana brings up the Stones and China to make hre point. The songs they couldn't sing, "Brown Sugar," "Honky Tonk Woman," "Beast of Burden," and "Let's Spend the Night Together", have nothing to do with critcizing the government, so she illustrates again that she doesn't know what she is talking about.
"I saw one of his concerts a half-dozen years ago and Pink Floyd a couple of times, but nothing at those concerts was quite like this."
What wars were taking place then that the US and UK were involed in? Obviously present-day events shaped the show. Why wouldn't he use his previous anti-war songs when he feels they apply to the present?
Just saying that you don't like Waters' views isn't some great political argument and the shock that Waters would be political is either ill-informed or disingenous.
17 - Pat
To the people who exercise their right to hit the exits when Rog plays some anti war music.
Your right to do so, as are the other peoples right to stay.
Maybe Roger showed you something anyways.
Shine On.
18 - Mitch
"Mitch, it is patently false to say you aren't allowed to respond to the concert."
I didn't say I wasn't allowed to respond. I pointed out the tendency of people like you who accuse anyone who responds to celebrities with whom they disagree as somehow abridging the artist's freedom of expression. You said:
"I always love hearing from knuckleheads who only believe in freedom of speech when they agree with it what is being said."
Then you said:
"She resorts to name calling and calls the concert goers traitors."
Apparently, it's okay for you to call us knuckleheads and it's okay for Roger Waters to call the president a murderer, but it's not okay to criticize Roger Waters's concert or anything he says.
Diana's point that musicians can speak their mind here in the U.S., but not in totalitarian states is a perfectly legitimate point. She also makes a good point about performers who benefit greatly from capitalism all the while criticizing it.
Yes, I like the song "Money." And I see nothing wrong with saying it's "the root of all evil today," though at the show it sounded like the Christian right was the root of all evil or maybe it's the Republicans who are the root of all evil today. Certainly, it's not the terrorists because we've already established that America is the cause of terrorism, not the Islamofascists who blow up women and children to make a point, though no one is sure what that point is.
As for your point about current events changing the rules, I am happy to pay to see Roger Waters, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, and other artists sing those old songs I love, but I don't care to spend money to see political signs that say "Vote for the Democrats in November." Again, he is perfectly within his rights to do this. I just don't care to spend my money to support it. And I feel conflicted when it comes time to applaud for a song I enjoy that's been accompanied by video and signs with which I disagree. People in this forum have already indicated they assume applause and even lack of cat-calling implies an endorsement of all of the political messages and not merely appreciation for the performance. I suspect that you would not have been jumping up and down cheering if the signs had said "Vote Republican this fall," "Down with Pilosi," "Oust John Kerry," etc.
Well, I'm sorry I'm "ill-informed" and because I hadn't been studying the Waters tour closely enough to understand there would be a sign that said "Impeach Bush." I am now informed and won't be going to any more of his shows. I'm baffled why this would be "disingenous."
19 - Wichway2006
Each day hunderds die from war around the world
while the rest of us sit around with one thumb in the mouth and one up our asses,I bless all who speak up to tell the truth.Roger has always had
big balls!Please dont listen if you cant handle the truth.El Bicho Nice site,Ill visit often.
PS,10/10 Cant wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
20 - Mitch
History has shown repeatedly that if you don't fight aggressors they will come and eat your lunch. That's "the truth."
21 - Glen Boyd
I so wish I could go see this show. The problem is we are getting somewhat of a bonanza of classic rock shows here in Seattle this week. In the next ten or so days, we're getting Waters, the Stones, the Who, and Dylan--all at an average of about $200. a pop. Since, I'm not on the executive board at Microsoft it's just a little out of my price range to do all four, so I opted for Dylan (and got 10th row!). My review of that will up here on BC next weekend.
Great as it sounds like this show was (and what a setlist!), I'm just going to have console myself with the great memories of seeing the original Floyd three times back in the seventies(Dark Side, Wish You Were Here, and Animals).
Anyway, I definitely enjoyed your review. Wish I was there...
-Glen
22 - Vern Halen
I guess you gotta spout from whatever soapbox you can - a lighted stage or an internet post. I remember once hearing a busker singing "We don't need no education" when a local teacher I know stopped in front of him and harangued him about the importance of education in society and how that somg was promoting negative views about schools. Pretty funny, really, and ultimately sad to recall that this exchange took place back in the day before the modern spectre of school violence. But Pink Floyd didn't cause Columbine any more than Roger Waters' show is going to get a change in government policy.
23 - Paul Roy
Glenn, I feel your pain. I've had to pass on Eric Clapton, Aerosmith & Motley Crue, The Who, and Santana. The big shows are just getting too rediculous with the ticket prices. I've opted for more theater and club concerts this year.
24 - El Bicho
"I didn't say I wasn't allowed to respond."
Really? You might want to recheck or statements because you did.
Comment #13: "I don't understand this thinking that musicians and actors are allowed to stand up there and espouse their political views -- but none of us are allowed to respond."
I never said you or Diana were abridging Waters' freedom of expression. Please show me where. I am fine if you guys didn't like the show, challenge his points, never see him again, or even protest the next time he comes to town.
I was responding to Diana's foolish statements. If she spent $250 on a concert she knew nothing about, she gets no sympathy from me. Waaah! Waters was political. Waaah! People were smoking pot. He's an artist not an entertainer. If you don't want to hear anything he has to say, stay at home and listen to your best-of CDs. Also, it didn't take intensive study on my part to learn what Waters was doing on this tour.
"Diana's point that musicians can speak their mind here in the U.S., but not in totalitarian states is a perfectly legitimate point."
It would have been if that's what she said, but it isn't. She specifically referred to critiquing the country's government. She wrote, "What other country in this entire world would allow a has-been old-fart english dude to come to our country and insult and criticize not only the president of the nation, but by the same token, everyone (the majority by democratic rule) who voted for him!"
Considering Diana first labelled me, and you, a traitor to the country for attending a concert she didn't like, "knucklehead" is very restrained response on my part.
"I suspect that you would not have been jumping up and down cheering if the signs had said..."
That's quite possibly the first correct thing you have written about me, but then I didn't jump up and cheer at the anti-Bush statements, so I'm not sure what it proves.
Your response seems to indicate you, and people who agree with you, can only critique Waters, but no one can critique you. You might want to move out of that glass house.
25 - S
Come on people. Facts are facts. Thousands upon thousands of ordinary people HAVE been killed in Iraq and Afgahnistan since the Bush regime has taken office. That is not my opinion or interpretation of the events that are taking place, it is fact.
We are living in a country that is ruled by a government that has (1) allowed the President to define torture his own way, (2) stripped the court of judicial review via habeas corpus in certain cases (3)lied, repeatedly, and laughed about it. Doesn't that kind of make your stomach turn as Americans? It should, irregardless of what political party you support.
I for one, am glad that Mr. Waters is seizing this platform to show the reality of the situation regarding current political events, instead of subscribing to the celebrity norm of spoon-feeding the masses "what they want" to distract them from what is really happening. PEOPLE ARE DYING FOR NO REASON OTHER THAN GREED.
I shall be in attendance this evening at the Hollywood Bowl show, freely and happily giving my hard earned money to a brilliant musician and humanitarian who has never swayed from his desire to utilize the spotlight for more than mere escapism. The real question is; why aren't MORE musicians political?
Thank you for your time.
S