The show was split into 2 sets with the first half consisting of prog masterpieces such as “One of These Days”, “Time”, “The Great Gig in the Sky” and “Welcome to the Machine”. The huge screen behind the band took the audience into space voyages whilst they performed those unforgettable songs but Roger Waters is also acclaimed for his folk and blues influenced ballads and when it was time for “Wish You Were Here” the audience reached their fervent peak.
A couple of the songs from the new album were also added to the set list but it was predominately the classic songs from albums such as ‘Dark Side of the Moon’, ‘Wish You Were Here’, ‘Animals’ and ‘The Wall’ that dominated the performance. A Sydney ensemble of teen dancers joined the band on stage and provided the backing choir for the anthem “Another Brick in The Wall part 2”.
The 2nd set brought even more of a spectacle with a long double side screen coming on top of the audience to present more stunning visuals. The performance featured the songs “Dogs” and “Pigs” from an Orwellian 1977 concept album that imagines humanity divided into different animal groups. The visuals behind “Pigs” blatantly referenced Donald Trump’s most moronic and bigoted quotes. In the end the message was clear to everyone in the audience: Trump is a pig and Waters is going to write it in big letters for all to see and for those who missed it a giant pig flew around the arena with trumps face on it.
Waters has always been fascinated by human greed and no song better exemplifies this than “Money”, with its instantly recognizable bass riff it certainly went down well in front of the Sydney crowd. With such a huge production the final light show on display was the iconic pyramid breaking the light beam into a prism of colours shining through it. However there’s only one song to close a Roger Waters show and that was the epic composition “Comfortably Numb” with arguably one of rock music’s greatest guitar solos. It’s no easy feat emulating David Gilmour’s guitar prowess but Dave Kilminster did a fine job and brought the show to a grandiose closure.
Roger Waters’ legacy is far too significant to extrapolate in just one review but it is evident that his life long dedication to writing songs forever cast on people’s imaginations and his need to be critical of world leaders and of man’s lust for greed and power is why Waters has remained relevant and has had such an extraordinary and long career. It’s likely this will be his last tour to Australia but for young and old fans last night’s show was unmatched for its quadraphonic surround sound and out of this world sensory visual production.
Review Courtesy Of Daniel Jaramillo
Capacity 18,000+
Tickets
The Sydney Super Dome (currently known as the Qudos Bank Arena or The Q) is a large multipurpose arena located in Sydney, Australia. It is situated in Sydney Olympic Park, and was completed in 1999 as part of the facilities for the 2000 Summer Olympics.
The A$190‑million facility was designed by COX Architecture and Devine deFlon Yaeger; and constructed by Abigroup Ltd and Obayashi Corporation with environmental factors in mind; however, the air-conditioner unit for the facility used HCFCs and was said to be a breach of the Green Guidelines for the Olympics. Bob Carr, premier of New South Wales, officially opened the stadium in November 1999.
The development of the stadium was part of three subsites which also included a 3,400-space carpark which cost A$25 million,and a plaza with external works, also costing $25 million. The roof’s masts reach 42 metres (138 ft) above ground level, and the stadium occupies a site of 20,000 m2 (220,000 sq ft; 4.9 acres).
The arena is ranked in the top 10 arenas worldwide. It is currently managed by AEG Ogden. For three consecutive years the venue has been a finalist for the Billboard Touring Awards in the top venue category.
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