Based on previous tours, there’s an expectation upon attending a Roger Waters concert that you’re going to witness something very special but surely nothing could come close to topping his triumphant 2012 The Wall tour of Australia? Yet somehow with his current Us + Them tour making the rounds of Australian cities, Mr Waters continues to find a way to blow our minds.
Visually, the show is a sensory overload … a massive Battersea Power Station emerges down the serving line of Rod Laver Arena’s centre court turning the venue into a massive iMax-style theatre …. Pigs fly … lasers recreate the classic Dark Side of the Moon cover sleeve pyramid as a giant black moon passes by. The lyrics and concepts of classic Pink Floyd songs beam out to us via the screens reminding us that the band were both visionary and that nothing has really changed in the world of politics. Trump cops a hiding.
Has there been a better production sound at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena? I don’t think so. Crystal clear clarity and gorgeous low end sounds deliver Roger’s iconic bass notes. Then there’s Dave Kilminster, not only faithfully recreating those legendary Gilmour guitar solos but injecting an additional bite, which energises and elevates the rest of the band to an even higher level. For this adoring audience, many nostalgically reliving their youth, Pink Floyd albums have always conjured notions and dreams of epic sound and colour. Now Waters, with the aid of brilliant new technology, has brought those fantasies to life.
A few days ago, Australian Musician’s Greg Phillips was thrilled to be able to sit down with Roger Waters’ guitarist and solo artist in his own right, DAVE KILMINSTER to chat about this tour, his gear and solo career. Jason Rosewarne took some great interview shots too
