German police started an investigation into Roger Waters’ performance outfit.
Roger Waters’ concert in Germany caused a stir. PDO
British musician who became famous as a founding member of the band Pink Floyd Roger Waters gave a concert earlier in May in the German capital, Berlin. As part of the performance, Waters dressed in a Nazi outfit, news for example The Guardian.
During the concert, Waters was seen in a black leather jacket decorated with a red ribbon. Instead of a swastika, two hammers were embroidered on the ribbon. The scene of the concert is based on the year 1982 The Wall -film, which in turn is based on Pink Floyd’s album of the same name.
During the scene, Waters performed In the Flesh – song. In the film, the main character begins to hallucinate during that song about a situation in which he is a fictional fascist dictator speaking to neo-Nazis.
The scene and outfit in question has been a part of Waters’ concerts for years.
You can watch a video clip of the show’s sensational scene below or from this link. The video may not be suitable for sensitive viewers.
Criminal investigation
The German police started a criminal investigation related to Waters’ performance outfit. The display of Nazi symbols such as the swastika is illegal in Germany except for educational use and artistic contexts.
– Clothing used on stage can be used to idealize or justify the Nazi regime and thus can disturb public peace, police representative Martin Halweg says for the BBC.
Halweg adds that the outfit resembled that of a Nazi German official.
The case has also caused a stir on social media.
Protesters also gathered in the arena of Roger Waters’ Berlin concert. PDO
Waters released a related statement on social media on Saturday. He says a recent appearance in Berlin has prompted “malicious attacks from those who want to smear and silence” him because they don’t agree with the man’s “political views and moral values.”
Waters emphasizes that the elements seen in the concert were a stand against fascism, injustice and all kinds of bigotry.
– Efforts to describe the elements in question as something else are inauthentic and politically motivated, Waters writes.
Waters says that the depiction of the fascist government has been a part of his concerts since 1980.
If the embed doesn’t work, you can see the Twitter post as well from this link.
Roger Waters was the singer, bassist and songwriter of the band Pink Floyd from 1965 to 1985. Since then, he has pursued a solo career.