Concert Review: Roger Waters : Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN : June 30, 2007

Roger Waters
June 30, 2007
Xcel Energy Center
Saint Paul, MN

Fog filled the lobbies and outer hallways of the acoustic marvel we call Xcel Energy Center prior to the Roger Waters solo show this week, making it difficult for ushers to locate seats and inebriated fans to locate munchies.

Roger Waters appeared onstage first, wearing a black shirt and smiling bright in the solo spotlight as the crowd leapt to their feet and lit up the first of many non-tobacco treats.

The band then kicked things off with two tracks from The Wall (including spotlight for the “are there any queers in the audience” lyric), and the sold-out audience of 15,000 was instantly transported back to the first time they heard the exceptional music of Pink Floyd.

Featuring new staging since the “In the Flesh Tour” — Waters last stop in the Twin Cities — there was no traditional giant circle of lights or intricate light show. Instead, Waters let the massive movie screen with new videos (apart from “Money,” which was in need of some computer aid) do most of the stage lighting, pyrotechnics, a blow-up pig and astronaut rounded out the visuals to match the audio spectacle.

Some longtime Floyd and Waters friends were in the touring band. Andy Fairweather-Low in a cowboy hat playing rhythm guitar, Jon Carin on the keys, Snowy White on guitar and Dave Kilminster casually nailing the David Gilmour vocals and solos. And there’s no discounting Ian Ritchie’s fantastic sax solos, a crowd favorite.

“Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun,” “Shine On You Crazy Diamond,” “Have A Cigar,” and “Wish You Were Here” made up the first half of the first set. But as the first few chords of “Southampton Dock” from the post-WWII disc The Final Cut began, thousands headed up the aisles for another beer and the politicking began.

“The Fletcher Memorial Home” (for tyrants) featured photos of President George Bush and Karl Rove amongst some of the most infamous tyrannical leaders. “Perfect Sense” showcased war as a game, “Leaving Beirut” featured more attacks on Bush and the Chrisitian Right and just when we thought the assault was over, “Sheep” featured a graffiti-covered, flying inflatable pig featuring “Impeach Bush” and other expletives (in addition to confetti with some serious hang time).

As we hit the restroom at intermission and found ourselves staring at the back of a 2007 tour shirt in line, we realized this World Tour hit 20 countries, including some areas that aren’t exactly big fans of America (e.g., Hungary, Czech Republic and Columbia).

If you view the openly negative themes of the first set from a world perspective, we realized Waters wasn’t preaching peace in his chastisement of the states. In fact, if Waters is this open about his hatred of America’s culture, leaders and standing in the world to a U.S. audience, can you imagine the message he delivered in those countries where we already aren’t that popular?

And while these were perhaps fashionable themes in liberal Minneapolis, ardently attacking the Christian right and the conservative theology by name-calling seems like easy cheap shots for a man renowned for his clever and deep-seeded lyrical themes. To that point, some might say that a broad attack on the religious right while defending people from terrorist countries makes Rogers just as guilty in labeling innocents as the U.S.

So like that eccentric old uncle who spouts off conspiracy theories in a drunken stupor before launching into recollections of his glory days 20 years ago, we finally got to the good stuff: The Dark Side of the Moon.

As the first few notes of “Speak to Me” crossed the blackness of the Xcel Energy Center, the crowd grew hushed and expectant. Waters and company launched into Pink Floyd’s magnum opus. Here’s where the 360-surround sound captured the maniacal laughter and odd samples we so fondly remember from our vintage LP player back in the day.

While it’s not so unusual for a band to play an album all the way through these days, the era of singles, manufactured pop and payola doesn’t stand a chance to ‘73’s Dark Side. As the group hit it’s stride with “Brain Damage” a 3D laser prism bathed the crowd in Waters’ psychedelic grandeur.

Roger Waters is a rare animal in rock music today. And crazy or not, we’re glad he’s still around and sharing his passions with the world.

Setlist:
First set
1. In The Flesh 2. Mother 3. Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun 4. Shine On You Crazy Diamond 5. Have A Cigar 6. Wish You Were Here 7. Southampton Dock 8. The Fletcher Memorial Home 9. Perfect Sense 10. Leaving Beirut (new song) 11. Sheep

Second set
12. Speak to Me/Breathe 13. On the Run 14. Time 15. The Great Gig In The Sky 16. Money 17. Us And Them 18. Any Colour You Like 19. Brain Damage 20. Eclipse

Encore
21. The Happiest Days Of Our Lives 22. Another Brick In The Wall, Part II 23. Vera 24. Bring The Boys Back Home 25. Comfortably Numb

More photos at our Flickr account here.