In The Flesh
Tour Reviews

A few exits away, I started spotting Waters fans in the cars around us. The line of traffic at the exit for the Sony Entertainmant Centre was long, but moving. We were about an hour and a half early and I was determined to get good seats. A little driving through a rough looking neighborhood (I was following the darkside bumper sticker on the car in front of us) and we started getting directed by people in colored vests. I paid 10 bucks to park in an unfenced lot, but I wasn't complaining, after all it was Waters and if I needed to sacrifice my car to see him again, so be it!

Next step, find the damn place! It was quite a hike, and everybody seemed to be looking for someone to follow. Eventually we made it, picked up our Will-Call tickets, and proceeded to plunk ourselves down in a little sqare of dirt (not lawn) right at the front of the lawn section, which was mostly filled in by then. The stage wasn't all that far away, for lawn seats, and there were some friendly people around us, including a woman who informed me she couldn't wait to hear "Learning to Fly". I waited patiently on my $6 lawn chair, drank my $6 beer (the only one of the night, thank you), and ate my hot dog. My friend ordered a bottle of Tequiza, thinking it would be cheaper... nope, $6 for a 12 oz bottle of beer.. oh well!

The concert started and the set list progressed as usual. The audience was very enthusiastic. I, myself, tend to concentrate on the music and wasn't going wild, but there were some insane fans next to us singing all the words about 5 seconds too early. I thought about getting annoyed but decided not to :) About 4 different people asked me for rolling paper, which I didn't have (which reminds me, at the end, the pot heads started cheering at "and everyday the paperboy brings more").

Dogs was great! I've always wanted to hear that guitar work live, even if it wasn't Dave. Wish You Were Here was really nice, with an extended ending and modified lyrics. Shine on didn't have the guitar work in my opinion.. still fun though. Waters sang "Time" very well. "They has sex in PA" caused a huge audience response. The Global Anthem was cool when the whole audience joined in. Every strangers Eyes was awesome beyond words!!!!!!! The backup singers, during the solo stuff, sounded PERFECT.

In the intermission, a guy was tripping his ass off and started fighting with a guard who was trying to throw him out. Within seconds, about 7 yellow shirts were trying to hold this dude down (this was right in front of me, mind you). I saw a guard put his arm around the man's neck, and he flew off the handle again. Some other people then saw one of the guards kick Mr. Acid in the head and started screaming excessive force. At this point, I figured we had all the makings for a riot. Eventually the head honcho guard came and settled things down. He offered to let someone file a complaint about the kicking but no one took up his offer. Well, anyway, that was that...

I really really really really really really really really really enjoyed every bit of his solo stuff!!!!!!!!! I can't stress this enough. In the Floyd material, there was always this part of my brain going, "Dave, where are you???!!?" but for the majority of the solo stuff, I was very happy. The only exception was "What God Wants", where the Jeff Beck licks were sorely lacking. On the whole, I would love to see a whole show of Waters solo material.. If Beck toured with him, I think I might spontaneously explode upon hearing the news! Incidentally, I nearly crashed my car on my way to work a few months ago when the radio announced the Waters tour :)

OK, this is long enough. If you haven't gone yet, GO! If you were wasted, stoned or both the first time and don't remember it, GO AGAIN! My next goal is to see him right up front near the stage.. maybe in early 2000 over on the West coast, or God willing, when he tours with his next album.

by K~Style
August 11th, 1999
E-Centre Camden, NJ
8:30 PM

What can I say... Roger Water's "In The Flesh" tour is the most incredible concert I have ever been to. We arrived about 3 hours early, and I have never seen a parking lot with so many parties in it at one time. Everywhere you'd turn, all you could hear from everyone's car was Floyd as loud as their cars could handle. We made our way upto the lawn and waited for the moment Roger would take the stage. This was the largest venue he has and will play on his tour this summer, and did he get one hell of a welcome to Philadelphia... (it's right across the river).

The lights went down and instantly all 25,000 strong in attendance went out of control. He came out and walked onto a large platform on the stage and saluted the crowd. Right after that, he made the hammer sign with his hands and that's when it began. They started right off with "In The Flesh", and went through the first 6 songs of "The Wall" without stopping. That was incredible. Roger's voice was so incredible, even after the years. After playing such favorites as "Welcome to the Machine", "Wish You Were Here", "Dogs", and "Shine On You Crazy Diamond", he took at 20 minute intermission.

After intermission, he came back with "Breathe", "Time", "Breathe reprise", and "Money", for his Dark Side set. Then came his solo material, which I didn't think I'd like too much, but surprisingly, I enjoyed "What God Wants", "Amused To Death", and "It's A Miracle". After about 30 minutes of his solo material, he introduced the band. When that was done, he started into Brain Damage/Eclipse. After that, the whole band came down and bowed and thanked us for coming. The crowd was so crazy, and ofcourse he came back to play an awesome version of "Comfortably Numb" to wrap the night up. The guitar solos in the song were played as almost a competition between the two guitarists. When CN was done, so was the show, and the night we've waited for all summer long was over.

However, it wasn't quite over then. Back in the huge parking lots, fireworks were going off, beer was flowing, and balloons were being handed out to everyone. All in all, it was was above and beyond my expectations of anything I'd ever see. Also, last night on the drive home, I heard an interview with Roger, from Pierre, on 93.3 WMMR in Philly, that Roger is considering touring next summer again, this time a much larger show... let's keep our fingers crossed!

by Marc Smoyer
My name is Marc Smoyer. I am 46 years old and Pink Floyd fan since Atom Heart Mother in 1970. Betweeen 1971-1973 I had the pleasure to see the classic band in small and large venues. I didn't see them again until the 1994 tour at Veterans Stadium, of course, without Roger. I was now able to bring my wife to see the rest of the band.

An agency provided outrageously priced tickets ($80 each plus $12 for FedEx) the day before the show.

My wife Annie, a classical musician (Viola), attended her 3rd Rock concert ever. She loves Pink Floyd music, especially the changing time signatures, going from 4/4 to 6/8, etc.

Using directions from Electric Factory Concerts' web sight we drove over the Ben Franklin Bridge to I-476. Exit 6-a will get you there faster, by the way. Traffic was heavy and the parking overpriced at $10, but I've already spent a fortune for this so why gripe?

Tailgate parties were well underway whe we arrived 35 minutes before showtime. Mostly young people listening to Pink Floyd music, much of which was recorded before they were born! A few drunken assholes were behaving as drunken assholes will. It was a lot nicer in the early 70's when everyone just smoked pot and were just passive and paranoid.

Locals from impoverished Camden sold food, cold drinks and bad souveniers.

We kept looking for somebody older than us in the crowd. Not many. The kids thought we were very cool to like Pink Floyd. I just wondered why all these kids are here to see "my" band. Everyone friendly and in good spirits.

We couldn't believe how close we were to the stage. We also couldn't believe how hot it was or would get as the evening progressed. The Camden Waterfront Steambath!

We sat about 6 rows back from the stage off to the right. The seats were worth every penny.

The show started on time with "In the Flesh" Part2. Roger appeared on a platform above and behind the band in front of the projection screen and performed the "fascist" lyrics as light picked ou "victims" in the audience.

In the early 70's, The band just stood there and played and let the music and effects be the show. Roger is much more demonstrative these days. Through binoculars from that distance, I could see his expressions as he "sold" the lyrics. Of course, these lyrics have a lot more to say than "Careful with that Axe, Eugene", or "Set the Controls For the Heart of the Sun". Annie said he was wering a Rolex watch. These were good seats!

How many ordinary guitarists does it take to replace one David Gilmour? At least three, apparently, with one keyboardist doubling on steel guitar. These guys were good, especially the lefthanded guy who plays with the strings reversed, like he learned on a right-handed insturment and never corrected the setup. They just aren't David Gilmour, Nick Mason and Rick Wright. Roger still plays the three-note bass parts just fine.

The setlist was the same as at all the recent concerts. They did all of side one of "The Wall", including "Mother" with Roger on accoustic guitar, with graphics from the album . Then they went into "Pigs on the Wing" and "Dogs", which was great. I had never seen these done live and were a highlight of the show for me. "Welcome to the Machine" was next and then all of "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" while an image of a young Syd Barrett was projected on the screen. Roger said "That was for Syd". At least, that's what the DJ's on the radio reported that he said. All words were virtually unintelligible on the lousy sound system. They took a 15-minute break at this time.

Most of our seatmates were great. One guy named John, around 30 years old, was a real fanatic, knowing all the words to the obscure early stuff like "Piper at the Gates of Dawn" album, etc. He said he was honored to sit next to me as I had seen thom in the early days. He was nice but needs to get a life! All I did was buy a ticket and show up!

After the break came "Breathe", "Time", and "Money", all lots of fun. A heavily tatooed drunk refused to stay in his seat and a woman with the world's smallest bladder kept getting up and down. A guy like Jeff Spicoli, Sean Penn's character in "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" sat nearby. The intense, muggy heat made for an unpleasent enviornment.

They settled into something from "The Final Cut" and then "Powers that Be", which I was unfamilliar with and liked very much. I'm vague on his solo stuff. I bought "Amused do Death" in 1992, but didn't like it and I don't know it at all. I recognized "What God Wants" and "Perfect Sense". The crowd was better than I was, singing along on all of the songs I didn't know. One of the woman singers gave a great performance.

After "It's a Miracle" (I think), Roger introduced the band, not that he could be understood. They closed the "regular" set with "Eclipse", Roger and band doing a great job as he walked around the stage thanking each region of the audience. Apparentlty this was a sellout of over 20,000, encouraging and unlikely to get him thinking about a reunion with the Floyds.

"Comfortably Numb" was the encore, the two front guitarists ascending the high platform and trading licks at the end for a fine finale to a splendid show.

by Dirk Allison Douglassville, Pa
Well its 2:39 am est. i just returned from the Waters show in camden NJ at the E-Center and all I can say is WOW what a show.

Roger played for a total of 3 hours with a 15 min break id say everyone there got their MONEYs worth. His performance of SHINE ON was flauless not one mistake was made.I was also supriesed to see how well recieved his solo songs were.It seems that everyone ther was a true fan of Roger. Who without a doubt after seeing him perform live this evening can deny that Roger is the true master-mind behind Pink Floyd. Dont get me wrong Dave is great,but there were many times throughout the show where I'd swear David was there on stage with Roger.

The guitarists Roger had with him tonight were absoutly great. So without a doubt in my mind I'd say this was the best show in town this summer.

So down with WOODSTOCK - I SAW ROGER,and I'm looking forward to seeing him again on friday night at Montage so anyone who is going to the show on Friday bring pleanty of green smokables and prepair for one hell of a show

by Lauren Tursi Hey everyone!! Last night (Aug. 11) I went to the show in Camden, NJ. Let me just tell you I've NEVER seen the E-Centre that packed before.

We took the ferry over from Philly, and we missed the first couple of songs. From what I've heard, we missed Another Brick in the Wall, Run Like Hell, and the very beginning of Mother. He took a 20 minute break halfway through the show, and then he played some of his own stuff, like Radio K.A.O.S. and What God Wants.

I wish I could describe how awesome this show was. Of course, he had a CRAZY light show, and we could really appreciate it after a couple beers and a couple hits of acid!!

The crowd went absolutely crazy when he started playing Brain Damage, mostly because of the line "The lunatics are on the grass" Most of this venue is grass, so the crowd went wild.

Roger spoke at one point, but you really couldn't understand what he was saying. The backup singers were awesome!! He had these two black girls singing backup, and one had a solo at one point, and she was awesome. Every song he sang sounded just like the CD.

All in all, out of the 100+ shows I've been to, this one is up there. Not only because it was the heart and soul of Floyd, but the lights, the sound quality, the crowd, everything. It was one of those shows where you could tell that the artist really cares about his music, and he's not in it for the money, because he was JAMMIN'. I wish I could describe it better, but no matter what I say here, you would have had to have experienced it for yourself to get the full effect. Anyway, I hope this helped at least a little for those of you who haven't heard anything about this show yet.

by John Hyland
I was at the August 11th show in Camden NJ. Roger sounded great, he exceeded my expectations with the show. When he walked on stage and gave the crowd the "hammers" sign with his arms I knew I was in store for a great show. The place was PACKED so if you are going to a show make sure you give yourself a lot of time to get there. The show had an intermission which I thought was unusual but it was cool because it gives to time to refresh your beverage. When he played "Dogs", they had surround sound of dogs barking all over the place. The second half was a little hazy to me but it was amazing. All in all it was great to see Roger and hear some Floyd songs(and they played a lot of Floyd). Get there on time and be safe.

by Brett Jones
I was so happy during this show. First off, I wasn't really sure what to expect. I was curious to see how Roger would sound after all these years, and I knew the light show at all of that stuff wasn't going to be anything like Pink Floyd's in '94. But let me you, this show was much better then the Divison Bell show I saw in Philly five years ago.

I was so impressed it wasn't even funny. As soon Roger came out on the stage to sing In The Flesh (the second part of the song), I was going crazy. For some reason I thought we were just going to get Roger standing around singing his songs, but was I wrong. He was pointing and hollering, and animated on almost every single note, and lyric. The first set was so strong, and in my opinion was definitely highlighted by "Dogs".

The second set was also impressive as well, as he played a lot of solo songs, which I was very pleased about, especially with "Perfect Sense I and II", and "Amused to Death". His band really played well, and they nailed all of the singing and solos just perfectly. It was a great show.

I never thought I would ever get a chance to see Roger Waters play, but it actually happened last night, and believe me, he did not disappoint.

by LqdDimnd54@aol.com
Waters at Camden New Jersey on Aug. 11 was one of the biggest shows so far (on this tour)... 25,000 people, and i was one of them. This show was so bizzare and twisted...it was fascinating, I really felt the magic everyone shared at this show. Not only the fans but Roger really knew how to keep it alive. And im really hoping he tours again.

by Frank Joie
Hello all the Roger fans out there...the wait was WELL WORTH IT!!!!! He still has that great voice and his stage presence was very animated....he worked the crowd very well...the set list was pretty much the same as all the other shows....his rendition of Combfortly Knumb in the oncore was very good....The stage lighting did the show great compliments....and the crowd of 25,000....the largest on the tour was well behaved too....it was nice to just enjoy his music in a relaxed envionment....hopefuly he will do a national tour next year....the wait was toooo long.....