Roger Waters World Tour 2008
Tour Reviews

From: Jason Gibson
Caught the show at the O2 Arena in London on the 19th. Where can I start exactly?. In spite of a nightmarish journey from Glasgow, which was a near akin to the movie 'Planes, Trains & Automobiles,' my arrival with my wife at the venue was well within a good few hours of the show kicking off.

The O2 is a fantastic structure and an impressive place on the outside, but once inside, you may as well kiss any money you have left goodbye if you fancy a snack or a few drinks. On one menu there was wine in a bar and grill joint at 9,500.

Again, despite this, our spirits were high. Doors were meant to open at 6.15, but for some unknown reasons we were made to wait for a further 30 mins to gain entry to the inner sanctum of the main venue.

Once through the doors, we were sat in the upper deck to the right of stage. Now this is where my niggles really began. After 10 mins, the blood that went to my legs ceased due to the seating, which is clearly designed for wafer thin people. Folks to my left and to the right, were so tightly squeezed together we felt like we were in a death camp waiting for the gas to decend at any second.

THE SHOW

Things kicked off late, well after the 7.45 prompt, arranged schedule, and still people where coming in with burgers and beer. Roger came on stage to 'In The Flesh' and then all thoughts of discomfort disappeared. Here was the man I thought I'd never get to see.

He flew through some classic Floyd material for the 1st half of the show, and the highlight had to be the solo effort of 'Perfect Sense.' There was indeed a tear in my eye as a spaceman floated above the audience below as the crowd sang out 'Can't You See - It All Makes Pefercet Sense'

After a brief interval of about 12 mins, the band resumed with 'The Dark Side Of The Moon.' This is where I felt really blessed to witness this, pehaps last, live performance from Roger, wow did he get this bit right. By the time 'Breathe was over and we segued into 'On THe Run,' I felt I was floating (drug and drink free I might add), for those 3 odd minutes were without doubt the highlight of the show. I'd pay again just for those 3 minutes of bliss.

I only managed to stay until the end of 'Gig in The Sky' as I had a plane to catch home, but I left a happy man, knowing I had seen a true legend. The band were spot on, and the projection set was very effective. My only qualms were the O2, and it's anti comfort policy. Perhaps we are all pigs after all.

Thanks Roger for a great show. Hope to see you again soon.

Jason (Glasgow)

The O2 was a fantastic venue and a good use of what was a total waste of money (in my opinion!).

I have to agree with the other comments, why go to a gig and get so drunk that you are never going to remember what you have seen?? The guy in front of me watched the entire gig through the screen on his mobile.

Roger performed fantastically and Snowy White's guitar sang throughout the night. After seeing Floyd perform Dark Side at Earls Court, Monday did not disappoint.

The highlight for me has to be "Great Gig in the Sky". What a voice!

As per usual, the visuals were fantastic, and as for the inflatables flying around!!!

Thanks Roger, oh and the wife!

Karl Knight, Jersey, Channel Islands.

Second night - 100% better.

I was fortunate enough to have front row tickets for this one. The crowd were so more up for it than the previous night, as soon as the band came on the stage (20 minutes late) everyone on the floor was off their seats and standing for the whole show, certainly in the front blocks anyway.

It was a frenetic explosion of sound and vision. The band seemed to be having a great time on the stage, soaking in the atmosphere. Roger was on top form, bouncing from one side of the stage to the other. My "seat" was at the end of the row, so every time he was stage left, he was literally 10 feet away from me. The bass box was right in front of me as well, so the noise was just vibrating through the barrier.

Laurie (Roger's fiance) spent most of the first set up against the barrier next to me, she was enthralled by it all.

This was my fifth and probably last London "Dark Side of the Moon" concert and ranks in the top two. Hyde Park is always going to be special to me because it was my first experience and it totally blew me away. This was a completely different experience, but to be so close to the action was fantastic.

The time just flew by, could not believe how quickly we got to the interval, DSOTM was spectacular and the encores had the whole audience in unison singing along.

Well Roger, it's been a blast the last couple of years - you've entertained the whole world with this tour, lets hope that those who miss out get to see a DVD of it. Thanks for the memories.