Ticket 2 Ride

“This is Not a Drill”

I’ve seen a lot of concerts in my lifetime, Roger Waters’ trek across America this year is one I’ll never forget. This tour was making up concerts postponed from 2020 due to the pandemic.

Outside the venue, I’ve never seen so many trucks outside the venue, which makes sense given the massive production of a Waters concert.

The stage immediately grabbed my attention, I have not seen a layout like that. It wasn’t a round stage but sat in the middle of the arena with long runners at the two ends so Waters could get closer to people at ends of the oval. He would move around the stage throughout the show to give each area some of his time.

Prior to the start of the concert, a message was scrolled across the stage screen, accompanied by a voice alerting people that if you didn’t appreciate Waters’ politics you might want to leave. Actually the message was: “If you’re one of those, ‘I like Pink Floyd but I can’t stand Roger’s politics’ people, you might do well to fuck off to the bar night now.”

There were only two things about the concert I had a problem with. One, Waters’ singing was difficult to understand. His voice is pretty good for a 78 year-old man, but his range and timbre are not what they used to be. Nothing against his age, the man is in incredible physical shape, but the lower rumble is difficult to decipher. Understanding his words is important to fully appreciating the visuals.

Second, the messages scrolling across the video screens focused your attention there, rather than on the musicians, and with so many messages and visuals, all of it was tough to absorb as quickly as it sailed past. Visually, the production was incredible and followed the narrative of the song lyrics and loose concept of the concert.

The flying pig and sheep made appearances.

The musicianship of Waters’ band, and backing vocalists was impressive. A multi-instrumentalist, Waters alternated between bass, guitar and piano during the concert. Waters occasionally turned over the lead vocals to one of his guitarists. I thought that was a weak point as that vocalist was also difficult to understand. A minor point in an otherwise mesmerizing show. He performed for well over two hours.

This wasn’t so much a greatest hits concert, but the songs he chose fit his messaging well. Waters has been fairly consistent in his lyrical theme through the years. If anyone was surprised with Waters’ politics and felt blindsided, they don’t really know him. Where are a few issues I believe he is wrong about, views where he and I disagree, but I applaud his activism and commitment to justice and human rights. I have only one question that was never answered: which one’s Pink?

Set 1:

Comfortably Numb
(Pink Floyd song)

The Happiest Days of Our Lives
(Pink Floyd song)

Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2
(Pink Floyd song)

Another Brick in the Wall, Part 3
(Pink Floyd song)

The Powers That Be
(First time live since August 28, 1999)

The Bravery of Being Out of Range

The Bar
(Live debut)

Have a Cigar
(Pink Floyd song) (First time live since October 16, 2016)

Wish You Were Here
(Pink Floyd song)

Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts VI-IX)
(Pink Floyd song) (First time live since June 30, 2002)

Sheep
(Pink Floyd song) (First time live since June 06, 2008)

Set 2:

In the Flesh
(Pink Floyd song) (First time live since September 21, 2013)

Run Like Hell
(Pink Floyd song) (First time live since October 16, 2016)

Déjà Vu

Is This the Life We Really Want?
(Live debut)

Money
(Pink Floyd song)

Us and Them
(Pink Floyd song)

Any Colour You Like
(Pink Floyd song) (First time live since June 06, 2008)

Brain Damage
(Pink Floyd song)

Eclipse
(Pink Floyd song)

Two Suns in the Sunset
(Pink Floyd song)

The Bar (Reprise)
(Live debut)

Outside the Wall
(Pink Floyd song) (First time live since September 21, 2013)