You can see a slideshow of photos from the concert here.
The concert opened with “Breathe,” a song that included pristine vocal harmonies that would remain constant throughout the show.
“Time” found Waters not only singing the song but also emanating the emotion in the song’s message. His body jolted and he sneered as he spat out the lyrics to this classic track, which speaks about a waning existence.
Former Berklee College Of Music students Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig, who sing together in the band Lucius and are now touring with Waters in his band, captivated the audience during their version of “Great Gig in the Sky.” The power and emotion in the live rendition rivaled the studio version on Dark Side of the Moon.
The band then launched into the prodding and pulsating “Welcome to the Machine,” before showcasing the first four songs from Waters’ solo release, Is This The Life We Really Want?, his first solo offering in 25 years.
The crowd erupted at the beginning of “Wish You Were Here” and sang each note at such a thunderous level that, at times, it drowned out the lead vocals.
The set ended with “The Happiest Days Of Our Lives” and “Another Brick In The Wall – Parts 1 & 2. A group of ecstatic School of Rock students joined the band for “Brick 2.”
At the end of the first set, Waters told the crowd how the kids ended up on stage on very short notice. Waters recruits local kids to sing with the band at every stop on the tour. Students from the Shaker Dance Academy were originally scheduled to perform, when WKYC taped a segment about how “controversial” and “politically incorrect” Waters is.
The pot stirring proved to be too much for the conservative types running the academy and they quickly pulled out. A call was put in at 3 p.m. to the forward-thinking School of Rock. The group gathered a group of kids, rehearsed the routine into the evening and performed flawlessly. The kids didn’t appear to care about politics; they basked in the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of performing with rock royalty.
In the show’s second half, during Waters’ rendition of the Floyd tune “Pigs,” a giant video screen behind the stage and another one that hung over the arena floor depicted unflattering images of Trump pointing and gesturing emphatically. The heavy percussion and plodding bass riffs gave the song an ominous feel, and a blimp in the shape of pig with Trump’s picture on it floated through the arena. At the song’s conclusion, the words “Trump is a Pig” flashed in huge print on all of the screens.
“Pigs” gave way to the sound of a cash register that signaled the start of “Money,” another song that included video clips of Trump showing off his wealth. The woozy sax riffs punctuated the tune and nicely set up “Us and Them,” another sax-driven song that included a video treatment of protestors clashing with police.
Waters took to the mic to effectively sing “Brain Damage,” and the song escalated into the soaring “Eclipse.” A giant laser-lit pyramid dramatically emerged at the tune’s conclusion.
Waters’ band meticulously delivered the set’s final song, “Comfortably Numb,” complete with all the exaggerated screams and sinister vocals. The ultraviolet lights that illuminated the arena effectively brought the concert to a climactic close.
As much as the show provided a commentary on war, corruption and false idols, Waters didn’t dwell on the negative. Rather, toward the concert’s end, he congratulated fans for showing him so much devotion. He appeared truly touched by the ovation he received. “In these troubled times, it is good to know not just in Cleveland but throughout the country there is so much love,” he said as he advocated “speaking our minds” in opposition to repressive governments.
This article appears in Sep 20-26, 2017.
Absolutely one of the best shows I’ve ever seen. He has every right to express his views on his stage.
Trump is an animal and thank goodness we are in a country where he can be called out on it.
This is the third time I have seen Roger Waters at the Q. Everything about this show was amazing. The videos, the sound effects, the special effects and most importantly, the music was fierce.
To think back that only 15 months ago, the Republican convention was held here. I felt last night Roger Waters exercised the building from the demons that occupied our arena and city.
Shine on Roger, you crazy diamond.
Was such an awesome show.
Hey dumbass Roger Waters – keep your irrelevant political opinions to yourself. You’re not even AFFECTED BY the American President – you foreigner! Jackass.
“Trump is an animal and thank goodness we are in a country where he can be called out on it.”
But if Trump is a fascist that is literally Hitler, how could that be?
The “crazy diamond” is Syd.
Also, sure, he can say whatever he wants. But soon maybe these celebs will realize that the majority of people don’t care what they think. NFL ratings and attendance are down. Movie attendance is down. Ratings for awards shows are low, etc.
Waters is an A**Hole who used to SPIT on front row fans of PF because they were stupid concert fodder who didn’t understand and appreciate the depth of the message that he, the anointed one, was kind enough to bring to them. He IS NOT and HAS NOT BEEN anything to TPF since they realized what a self-centered , arrogant , puke that he was ! The REAL PF continued on ! I guess his egotism continues. The REAL PF continued on ! An irrelevant , over-aged musician with no voice left but can still slap a mean bass, Why does his political opinion even HAVE an audience in a country that he is not a citizen of and more than once said he despises (well before Trump). My ancestors kicked people with his ilk OUT of OUR COUNTRY in 1776 and we should follow in their footsteps. With a deranged maniac in the South Pacific threatening ATOMIC disaster to the entire worlds environment, all he can do is criticize the man that is trying to get the countries of the world to unite in preventing this carnage to the fish, mammals , and all ocean creatures and ultimately we humans. Anyone who supports his diatribe in inhuman.
Hes a troll and a loser and he represents the traitors in our country. His political opinion is meaningless and to hold him up as something positive is pretty lame. Rot in hell you bastard.
How boring. Another anti T themed event for the losers. How pathetic. Most attendees probably blew their drug budget for the month on this concert.
He should be deported along with all the other anti American’s who are not citizens. He’s making a good living in a country he does not respect.
Waters is a certified bigot. If you go to his concert, you are supporting his hatred.
Hey you, Whitehouse
Ha, ha, charade you are
You house proud town mouse
Ha, ha, charade you are
You’re trying to keep our feelings off the street
You’re nearly a real treat
All tight lips and cold feet
And do you feel abused?
You got to stem the evil tide
And keep it all on the inside
Mary you’re nearly a treat
Mary you’re nearly a treat
But you’re really a cry
Lol Waters is a bigot ? That has to be sarcasm right ?
Idk if hes a bigot but hes a dickhead and I couldnt care less about what he thinks politically.
He is as fascist as the ones he rants against.
Piss on all you spamming wingnut trolls. Probably one or two dudes with unregistered names and multiple accounts. Go back to your hater friends at the PeeDee website, you a-holes. SCENE is left of center and so are most people on this site. Deal with it, douchebags.
Chuckles the Clown