Roger Waters World Tour 2007
Northern Hemisphere
Tour Reviews

You can imagine my great enjoyment when I arrived at my seat in the first row, just in front of Roger (less than 5 meters between him on stage and my seat).

During the 150 minutes of the show, it was like a dream. I had a real feeling as if we were the only ones in the concert hall and that he was having this show just for us and nobody else. We (Gerard and me) clapped our hands, waved our arms, and sung non stop (while the first rows were seemingly asleep...) from the first to the last song.

We were a little disappointed by how calm and unemotional the audience was. I stood up several times during 'Perfect Sense,' 'Sheep,' 'Time,' etc... but I was alone in doing so, the first rows stayed quietly seated.

The performance of the entire band was exceptional. Roger of course (we won't speak about the lip syncing on three songs) was always active and never stopped walking back and forth on the stage. Dave and Andy were excellent. John and Harry were brilliant. The three vocalists were always professional. I felt less impressed by Graham's solos, especially on Time (it was better in Zurich). And Snowy seemed to be bored and near sleeping on stage!

My favorite songs are always 'Wish You Were Here,' 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond,' 'Perfect Sense,' and 'Sheep' during the first part of the show, and the entire second half was impressive and tremendous.

Since we were so close to the stage, we didn't hear the surround sound effects very well, but you can't have everything !

After Eclipse I stood up in front of Roger cheering and waving my arms to acclaim him and the band and then... everyone else around me followed my lead and stayed up until the end of the show.

Thank you Roger, thanks for this tour. After 1984, 1992, 2006, it was fantastic to see you, certainly this last time, in these exceptional conditions. And like my father Gerard, I shouted out before the encores: "Roger for President!" (the elections for the French president are happening this weekend in France!)

I also liked it when Roger would leave the stage to highlight the other artists in his band: that was cool and modest.

The funny thing is that 2 days before, I had written a note to my daughter's teacher - we don't need no thought control! I realized during the concert that Roger was saying the same thing.

Say hi to the man from me!

Anyway, back in February I ordered my ticket from Ticket World in the Netherlands, booked my hotel and flight and waited with baited breathe. My ticket did not arrive. The Tuesday before the concert I finally got through to the office in Rotterdam and they guaranteed me that they would send my ticket to my hotel in Paris, it would be waiting there for me when I arrive.

The morning of the concert I call the hotel - they cannot confirm my reservation or that my ticket is there - basically due to language issues - I don't speak French, she didn't speak English!

Anyway, I flew into CDG at 12.30pm and made my way to the hotel - when I got there thankfully they did have my reservation and that was cool - however there was no ticket... Therefore my first visit ever to Paris was sitting in my Hotel room - looking at the venue, which I could see from my room - on the mobile to the Netherlands trying to track down my ticket. I called several times and the girl was trying to help - but had no idea where my ticket was. In the end her office closed at 5pm and I still had no ticket...

Thoroughly depressed, I decided to go to the gig and wait for the doors to open and see if I could do anything... I waited... and waited and the doors did not open. By this time, I am crying on the phone to my sister - I hate everything French and Dutch and I want a drink!!!!!Ê

Low and Behold I spot a Frenchman holding a ticket aloft, not caring where I would end up, this kindly gent sold me his spare ticket for 69 euros - face value. I was ecstatic and loved everybody again... I had no idea where I would be seated and the doors were still not open so I waited some more - but smiling now. Eventually I spotted some people sneaking into the venue through an underground entrance - I went over showed my ticket the the security guy and he told me this was my area... I was in the orchestra pit. Fantastic, Praise God, Allah, Buddha... the lot...Ê

I am curious about 1 thing, my original ticket was 191 euros, the ticket I bought on the night was 69 euros and I was in the orchestra pit - if I had received my 191 euros ticket would I have been backstage - my 69 euros seat was terrific.

The concert - Well from the minute I sat down I had this stupid smile on my face - there I was, 30 years a fan - finally going to see Roger Waters, a man I have worshipped for decades. I'm still smiling....

I was afraid the years would have mellowed him - but no, Bush got it, Blair got it. He performed songs from 'The Final Cut' which is one of my favorite album - ever. In all my DVD's of various concerts I haven't heard him perform these tracks - I was flabbergasted!! The voice was still there, the sentiment, the politics, the light show, the general all round entertainment... Snowy White, Andy Fairweather Low, Katie Kissoon - I cannot stress how excited I was. After the concert I sent a text to all contacts on my telephone - I CAN DIE HAPPY - I HAVE SEEN ROGER WATERS - AND HE WAS GOD!!!!!!!!

Come to Scotland Roger - we love you too. And we have needs...

Cheers
H


(PLEASE READ MY WARNING ABOUT BUYING TICKETS FROM TICKET WORLD ON THE REG ITINERARY PAGE MICHAEL SIMONE PRESIDENT OF REG THE INTERNATIONAL ROGER WATERS FAN CLUB)