Sunday 1 July 2012

Roger Waters , The Wall Manchester, May 2011

When: 
20 May 2011
Where
Manchester MEN Arena
Comments: 
Okay, you either like The Wall or you don't. There is no middle ground. It is 30 years since this show was last performed, there are major differences and it not just the technology. The 240ft wall is still there as are the inflatables and animations - modern computer imagery making them much clearer and effective. The band are not Floyd, but provide a excellent rendition of an album known word for word and note for note by all here tonight. But the main difference tonight was the crowd and Roger himself. While he performed much of the show on his own, away from the band, 15,000 enthusiasts managed to turn one of the most miserable pieces of rock music ever written into a full sing-along and Waters, rather than being petulant about as he was in the '80's, loved every minute, encouraging the involvement throughout. This is spectacle on a grand scale. Sound, crystal clear, visuals sharp and striking, totally over the top. If you like it, it's a great night out.
The Audience: 
All ages, standing and dancing like a normal rock show and having a great time. Sang along with the whole album even cheerless ditties like "Goodbye Cruel World" with gusto. Great and surprising atmosphere.
Food & Drink
As usual well overpriced. It seems arena food & drink rises at the same rate of inflation as ticket prices.
It Made Me Think...: 
The sheer scale of the show is difficult to take it all an and I'm sure I missed al lot of it while looking elsewhere. Whatever you views you couldn't fail to be impressed with the staging and the new found warmth and of rocks Mr Miseryguts.
 
 
First posted as A Night Out With.... on Word Magazine website (www.wordmagazine.co.uk) 25 May 2011

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