Copyright 2006 The Irish Times
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The Irish Times

July 1, 2006 Saturday

Roger Waters
Marquee, Docklands, Cork
Should pop stars do politics? Roger Waters certainly seemed to think so on a recent visit to Israel where he took time out to spray paint, "No thought Control" and "Tear down the wall" on the West bank barrier.
And so it was in Cork, with images of George Bush, Stalin and Chairman Mao, illuminating lyrics such as Not in my name and Tony, you great war leader you.
He opened with back classics such as In the Flesh, Mother, Shine on You Crazy Diamond, Wish You Were Here and the more recent Leaving Beirut, written after the start of the Iraq war. Perfect Sense Parts 1 and 2 should have completed the first half, yet a power-cut intervened, and Waters and his 11-strong band took an intermission.
They efficiently got through the remainder of the opening set before introducing Pink Floyd original Nick Mason on drums. The set-up now included Andy Fairweather Low, Snowy White, Dave Kiliminister and Ian Ritchie as well as Katie Kissoon, PP Arnold and Carol Kenyon.
Yet the prospect of two Floyd original members performing Dark Side of the Moon in its entirety was the main draw here, and aided with superb visuals, Waters and Mason stuck faithfully to the script. A seminal album it may be, but live, it sounded entirely fresh, helped by good old-fashioned showmanship from Waters, futuristic lighting and the 5,000 strong crowd - many in blissful ignorance of the smoking ban - chanting every line.
Two and a half hours in, and still time for an encore of The Wall, and Comfortably Numb.
"You've been great," enthused Waters, before leaving the stage to rapturous applause. Brian O'Connell

LOAD-DATE: July 1, 2006