On Thursday (July 7th) Roger Waters opened his “This Is Not a Drill Tour” in Pittsburgh. In addition to some of Pink Floyd’s biggest hits, he also played his own compositions with his band – but the music is not all that will be remembered from this evening.
His audience should think like him – or piss off at the bar
As the lights dimmed at the PPG Paints Arena, the 78-year-old and his team made two wishes. On the one hand, the audience was asked to turn off their mobile phones – out of courtesy towards their fellow human beings. But the second request was tough: “If you’re here because you like Pink Floyd but don’t like Roger Waters’ politics, piss off at the bar.” Almost certainly a reference to Waters’ support for the campaign “Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions” or “BDS” for short. The organization aims to isolate the State of Israel economically, culturally and politically; she is openly accused of anti-Semitic traits.
A new piece of music and all kinds of political commentary
At least the stage design was well thought out: The playing area was divided into four areas by a cross-shaped partition wall – so different surfaces could be used for song-related projections. For example, while the lyrics of “The Powers That Be” echoed through the multipurpose hall, videos of police violence were shown; during the performance of “The Bravery of Being Out of Range” the screens outlined those war crimes that US Presidents have been accused of since Ronald Reagan. Waters also introduced a new piece called “The Bar”, which sings about a kind of dream world where people can really come together and feel like their best, most loving self, according to the musician.
The full set list for July 7th:
Part 1:
Comfortably None (Pink Floyd)
Another Brick in the Wall, Part 1 (Pink Floyd)
Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2 (Pink Floyd)
Another Brick in the Wall, Part 3 (Pink Floyd)
The Powers That Be
The Bravery of Being Out of Range
The Bar (New Play)
Have a Cigar (Pink Floyd)
Wish You Were Here (Pink Floyd)
Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts VI-IV) (Pink Floyd)
Sheep (Pink Floyd)
20 minute break
Part 2:
In the Flesh (Pink Floyd)
Run Like Hell (Pink Floyd)
Déjà-vu
Is This the Life We Really Want?
Money (Pink Floyd)
Us and Them (Pink Floyd)
Any Color You Like (Pink Floyd)
Brain Damage (Pink Floyd)
Eclipse (Pink Floyd)
Two Suns in the Sunset (Pink Floyd)
The Bar (reprise)
Photographs by Roger Waters in Pittsburgh
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