Photo by Kyle Sandstrom
From: Greg Gilman
Although I've been selective in the interest I've had in Pink Floyd over the
years, my seventeen year old son convinced me that I should join him for the
Minneapolis concert. Last night's show was an intimate exchange between
artist and fans like none I've ever experienced.
There was such jubilation in Waters' face as he embraced the night and shared word for word the message of his music. He'd walk to the edges of the stage and look out at us and mouth the words and thanked US over and over again during the songs, after the songs... At one point when he was approaching the end of the night, he came to the mike and the roar of the crowd just stunned him. He put his hand to his heart and said thank you. He then repeated the speech that Denis Tarabocchia heard at the gorge and the crowd again went wild.
This morning, I feel as though I have witnessed the work of man who truly understood his place in the world and the power he has been given to give us a look the stark realities in life in a way saying "Hey, everybody's got baggage, everybody's got pain, live your life to the fullest but never, ever forget where you've been and whatever good fortune you've been given."
Make every effort to see this tour,
From: Brad TeGantvoort
I've been to many concerts and currently have tickets for many more, but I
don't think I've ever anticipated a show as much as Roger Waters' July 6th
stop in Minneapolis. Roger is Floyd!
Don't get me wrong. Pink Floyd is still my favorite band of all time. It's just that once Roger left, Floyd just didn't possess the same passion that they did with Waters. So to me, this was a bonafied Pink Floyd concert. And according to the sold out Target Center, I wasn't alone.
I was glad to see so many people in attendance this time around. Last time on his Radio KAOS tour, there was only about half of the Met Center occupied. And that was after they even conducted a 2-for-1 ticket promotion a week before the show.
This set list was like a 'best of' album. Unfortunately with so many great tunes to pick from, some were just not going to get played. But with that in mind it still didn't make sense to end South Hampton Dock with that lonely piano key that's associated with the beginning of The Final Cut. It was a big tease to say the least.
Another thing I noticed was that there was a feeling that RW was in the back sipping a cocktail for many of the instrumental parts of the songs. Even though the stage musicians were very talented, I still noticed that he would fade in and out from time to time. They had this large rotating wheel of cut mirrors at the end of the first set that resembled a squashed disco ball. It was very effective when they slowed the spinning down at the end of the song.
He saw that I got pushed by security with my camera, and instead of motioning for my removal, he graciously walked over from the other side of the stage and gave me a pose. I thanked him and he returned to his spot and I returned to mine. Pretty cool. Kind of an intimate little deal in front of 20,000+ fans looking on.
I knew from this web site that it was intermission time and thought that they would only turn up half of the house lights. But NO, full blast stadium basketball lighting in the middle of a concert. Maybe it was my bloodshot eyes that were a bit sensitive. Anyway, the rest of the show was just as spectacular as the first.
Even though he played more of his solo stuff, which crowd reaction was mixed, it still was a great set list. I especially liked the pre-taped crowd track piped through the quad sound system at the end of Perfect Sense. Even people who never herd the song before, knew at least the chorus by the end of it. It reminded me of AC/DC's She's Got The Jack if you know what I mean.
Although there wasn't the overly huge stage show that comes with a Floyd concert, there didn't need to be. It was all about hearing that great voice crank out those emotional tunes once again. During the encore of Each Small Candle, the stadium was lit by 20,000 lighters in the air. It rivaled Motley Crue's Home Sweet Home. What a warm feeling.
I'm not sure how I
feel about the show finishing on a new song, but the crowds participation
helped add that certain something that made it all OK. The first thing I
did when I got home was start to download the bootleg tapings from the show.
Napster sure is nice in that respect. The night was a definite success, I
just hope that RW won't take as long to stop by again. Thanks Roger and
crew for the great memories.
From: NScobby7@aol.com
I went to the show last night in Minn. It was not even close to as good a the
K.A.O.S. Ture in 1988 that was the best. There was lots of lighs and it was
very crazy.
The fans I talked to before the show seemed to be looking for the same
thing in steid they got a big let down no lazers bla lights and only one song
with anny amount of smoke . It was not the cutting edge artist that I rember
from my youth . I saw a lot of fans walk out leving with the coments of (if
he wants us to by his cd s then he should at lest put on a good show.) My self
I think his music is great but I went for the show and got a old guy who
barly could move on the stage . I will all ways be a fan but I will think
twice before I spend 55 dollors again at one of his concerts.
(If you're going to criticize someone, you might try learning to spell and use puctuation ....ed. )
From: Bill Schatz
Well it was nothing less than Spectacular. Yet personally I feel the Radio K.
A. O. S. was even better. But I was not disappointed. My personal feeling is that it was very
touching how much Roger put PICS of Syd throughout the concert.
A friend of mine asked me if he was still in contact with
Syd? I didn't know how to respond, but I said I would hope so, after all
in Architectural school the Abdabs had to stay close. I mean, my friend and
I are still friends after 18 years. I guess I would hope Roger would still
look back to the good things and not negative dealings. So if you can Ask
Roger for me if he still talks to Syd.
I mean Shine on you crazy Diamond...
I wept, I mean the guy wrote the song how many years ago, yet played it like
he just wrote it yesterday. Okay, I was hoping for another older cut from
Meddle or Obscured by Clouds, but like I say, if I had a Time Machine, I would
turn my life back to 1966 and watch them more closely in the London
Underground than I would think before. Okay I am not a Druggie, or cranked
up on Acid, but I just have always enjoyed his music without the added
effect.
The Guy Is An Artist, and all I can hope for is his health keeps
going for generations to see and respect, the triumphs, and ternary he has
gone through. Just think if he got back together with the Floyd. I agree
Roger was the Backbone, yet Nicky, Dave, and Rick still put on a good show.
...they just lack the Talent Roger gave.... I Love Ya Roger!!! And Shine On!!!
From: Christopher J Demeules
I was very surprised to see a lot of younger people at the concert. I
was not too surprised to see (hear) people hooting & hollering when Roger
was talking/playing mellow music. I was personally hurt (but I'll learn
to get over it) when Roger held his arms up, crossing his forearms in
true "The Wall" fashion and most, to all, and the audience did not follow
suit.
Being I kind of see Roger as a modern day "John the Baptist" I noted he wasn't baptising - yet! "But It was only 'A' fan too see (fantasy)." "Just not (nod) if you can hear me". Figure it out. It was kind of Roger to say he felt "the magic", but ...nevermind. I liked the diamond thing. I love 'Amused to Death'.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all
your mind, with all your strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.
From: Chris Ginther
Roger Waters and Pink Floyd have been a part of my
life for many, many years. I did see the Radio Kaos
tour the last time Roger was in town here. Since I
appreciate Roger Waters' artistic genius, I made sure
to go to his July 6th show in Minneapolis.
Sonically, it was the best concert I have ever heard the Target Center (a big basketball stadium). I had excellent seats about 10 rows up directly to the left of the stage and could see the band clearly. I was under one of the banks of speakers so I didn't have to hear the reverberations of which the Target Center is known for.
It became apparent to me why Waters and the rest of the Floyd gang had their differences. I believe Waters wants to emphasize the meaning of the music and songs as they reflect his strong political and social views. On the other hand the Floyd gang likes to make sure their audience is thoroughly entertained, placing less emphasis on "getting a point across." With such diametrically opposed focuses it is no wonder why the two parties don't get along.
I thought Waters' sparse light show was actually somewhat refreshing. It helped create a more intimate atmosphere between the artists and audience and placed more emphasis on the music.
I was surprised to see Jon Carin as Roger's keyboardist. Jon is a very talented musician... in addition to playing keyboards, he sang, played acoustic guitar and slide guitar. HOWEVER, he was formerly part of the Pink Floyd camp. He played on "The Division Bell" release and on the "Momentary Lapse of Reason," and "Pulse" tour.
Given Roger Water's animosity toward his former band mates, (He tried suing them all through the Momentary Lapse of Reason tour) I didn't think he would accept a Floydian into his company.
The one thing that really irritated me is that Roger Waters, when singing, can no longer hold a note to save his life. His voice was rough and fairly unmelodic. Not that he was ever a rival to Pavorotti (sp?), but he no longer has that distinctive psychotic singing/screaming voice that made his songs so memorable. The fact that he had some very talented backup singers only seemed to emphasize Waters' vocal deficiencies.
Other than that, the band was well polished and did an excellent job on all the tunes they played.
I did find it somewhat an ironic juxtaposition that Roger Waters, in his solo numbers, was singing songs about saving the world and ending social injustices. On the other hand, everyone in the audience was stoned out of their minds. There was so much pot smoke that I was sure I was getting a contact high. I have never seen so many glossed-over red eyes in one place before. So it made me wonder how many of the audience members connected with his message.
His final number "Each Small Candle" was an excellent and very moving song. I thought it was the best solo tune he has done to date.
In all The Roger Waters show was indeed a good
performance.
From: Jon Kruse
Hi there.
I went to this show with my brother, Joe who has never been to a concert before.
We stayed at the Crown Plaza Hotel just 4 blocks from the
Target Center and what a great place it was to stay. The day of the show we met
several Echosians and friends. Mark Strand, Rusty, Monkey
Man (Henry), His girlfriend, Jens from Denmark, a couple of Minnesotans and
almost Roger himself. Missed him by about 10 minutes on the
south entrance of the Target Center before the show.
I met Jens at Glueks. It was great talking to someone who had never been to the states before. We then went to an Irish Pub to share a few with some friends. It was again great talking with great Roger fans from around the world.
My seats were originally in the 35th row of the floor. But I knew this may be the last time I ever see Roger so I set out for an upgrade. I met a gentlemen who had 7th row dead center seats. We ended up trading tickets plus an extra copy of ITAOT that I left sealed. (I knew it would come in handy!) These seats were by far the best seats I have had to a show. The sound was phenomenal! Roger even looked directly into my eyes on several occasions. You could really feel the intimacy he had been talking about. I shot up a roll of 400 speed film and am currently waiting on the Pix. They should be great shots.
The set list remained the same and it was just one of those shows where you let the music take you where it will. My brother was in awe!
After the show Roger left immediately and we had no chance to catch him. We did however go back to that Irish Pub accross the streets for a couple more refreshments and talked about the show with many fans. Henry even got photos of a cracked out lady sleeping in the middle of the street in front of the Target Center! She was arrested a short time later by Minneapolis' finest.
Thanks to everyone for a great night.
