Roger Waters ‘In The Flesh’
TimeOut Dubai - April 2002
Because Waters has moved on from the years of nasty rivalry with his former Floyd associates. When he toured in 1987 in support of his solo album ‘Radio KAOS’, it was in direct competition with Gilmour, Mason and Wright’s ‘A Momentary Lapse Of Reason’ tour under the Pink Floyd name. He stopped touring altogether after that, only emerging briefly in 1990 to do an emotionally charged rendition of ‘The Wall’ in front of 350,000 people next to the newly-breached Berlin Wall.
Now he is back with a world tour, and a show on at the Dubai Creek & Golf Club that promises to dispel interest in the supernova collapse of the band by reinvigorating the substance of the music they created.
Much of the material for the show comes from the Floyd classics Waters wrote. Songs like ‘Mother’, ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’ and ‘Wish You Were Here’ will be played not just by jobbing musicians filling in the spaces other Floyd band members have vacated, but by guitarists Andy Fairweather Low and Snowy White - the men that made ‘The Wall’ such a success in Berlin.
The songs will also be presented with all the stage spectacle Waters originally created for Floyd (often whip in hand) all those years ago, making it the most incredible performance Dubai has ever seen.
Elaborate large-scale video projections, theatrical set-pieces, and a 360-degree quadraphonic sound system - originating in the ‘Azimuth’ system Floyd used in the late ‘60s - will immerse audiences in an audio-visual collage rarely dreamed of in today’s rock productions. But the addition of Waters’ solo material means this won’t be a tribute to a band that effectively died 19 years ago.
There are thousands of people in Dubai who never really listened to Waters after the demise of Floyd - a bit like the fate of David Byrne when Talking Heads split. Now they can get a taste of the trajectory Waters took after the band broke up, alongside the classic Floyd everyone wants to hear. It will be a sellout, for all the right reasons.
Pink Floyd rocks the town
Arabia.com - Dubai, 13 April 2002
Dubai is getting set to rock 'n roll as Roger Waters, the Pink Floyd founder, bassist, inspiration, genius and recluse, visits on April 15th. Adults, both young and old, are dancing for joy.
Dubai will be staging a completely unprecedented concert never hosted before in the region. Visiting the Middle East for the first time, Roger Waters is bringing his historic "In The Flesh World Tour 2002" to the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club.
The historical legacy
Roger Waters is an instrumental pioneer of the Pink Floyd group and its groundbreaking music. Waters co-founded the groundbreaking Pink Floyd with Syd Barrett in 1966 and became the group's sonic architect upon Barrett's departure, creating such undeniable classics as "Dark Side Of The Moon" (which spent nearly 15 years on the Billboard 200 album chart), "The Wall" (which has been certified 23xRIAA platinum), "Animals", "Wish You Were Here" and "Final Cut". Following "Final Cut," Waters left Pink Floyd.
His first full-length solo album, "The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking", was released in April 1984 to great critical and popular success, generating his first solo tour. June 1987's "Radio K.A.O.S." continued his path of solo success, applauding him right back to the stage. His last full-length solo album, the moody and ironic "Amused To Death", considered by many to be a comparable achievement to "Dark Side Of The Moon" or "The Wall", was released in August 1992.
Prior to his 1999-2000 North American presentations of "In The Flesh", Waters' sole major performance of the ‘90s was the legendary 1990 production of "The Wall" in Berlin; a historic event which took place in front of over 350,000 people at the site of the then-newly-destroyed Berlin Wall. "The Wall" attracted a live television audience of over 100 million viewers.
The summers of 1999 and 2000 brought great success for Roger's "In The Flesh" tour, where tickets sold out in 50 North American concerts. Demand for tickets was so intense that many concert venues were changed mid-tour and upgraded to larger capacity arenas and amphitheatres. The popular demand for seats was matched by critical acclaim for the shows. Music writers praised the power of Waters' performances, the timelessness of his music, the show's intimate production values and seamless structure.
Breaking ground in Dubai
And now the acclaim has reached Dubai, proving that it is indeed possible for the Middle East to host such inimitable western talent.
Waters will be performing a 2 and a half hour show, backed by his hand-picked group of world-class musicians: Andy Fairweather-Low (guitar), Snowy White (guitar), Chester Kamen (guitarist & vocals), Graham Broad (drums), Andy Wallace (keyboards), Harry Waters (keyboards), Norbert Stachel (saxophone), Katie Kissoon (vocals), PP Arnold (vocals) and Linda Lewis (vocals).
The concert will be presenting a wide-ranging overview of Waters' music including: early Pink Floyd material; classic compositions from his masterpieces "The Wall" and "Dark Side Of The Moon"; less well-known pieces from "Animals," "Wish You Were Here," and "The Final Cut"; songs from the solo tours "Amused To Death" and "The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking"; and the debut of a new song "Each Small Candle."
"In The Flesh" shows utilize elaborate large-scale video projections, theatrical set-pieces and a dazzling array of special effects to underscore and accentuate the power of the music which is delivered via a state-of-the-art 360 degree quadraphonic sound system immersing the audience in a 3-dimensional hyper-world.
The Pink Floyd event is indeed a pioneering one, with Dubai never before witnessing a Western concept of this nature in the past. The concert is meant to offer audiences 25 and above the unmatched opportunity to enjoy music they have grown-up listening to, while at the same time, be mesmerized by the breathtaking show happening on stage.
In flesh, for the first time
Gulf News - Dubai, 10 March 2002
Roger Waters, the Pink Floyd founder, bassist, inspiration, genius, recluse, is visiting the region for the first time next month when he brings his historic In The Flesh World Tour 2002 to Dubai. With this tour he becomes the latest in a series of top artists who have visited the region thanks to support from Club Nokia.
Eddie Maalouf, marketing manager of Nokia, title sponsors of the event, says: "In securing the attendance of an artiste of Roger's quality, we are confirming our commitment to our members.
"They can be assured that this is not a stand-alone event, but the beginning of a series of once-in-a-lifetime experiences that they can enjoy through Club Nokia membership."
Roger Waters co-founded the groundbreaking Pink Floyd with Syd Barrett in 1966 and became the group's sonic architect upon Barrett's departure, creating such undeniable classics as Dark Side Of The Moon (which spent nearly 15 years on the Billboard 200 album chart), The Wall (which has been certified platinum), Animals, Wish You Were Here and Final Cut. Following Final Cut Roger Waters left Pink Floyd.
His first full-length solo album, The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking, was released in April 1984 to great critical and popular success, generating his first solo tour. June 1987's Radio K.A.O.S. continued his path of solo success, bringing Roger back to the stage.
His last full-length solo album, the moody and ironic Amused To Death, considered by many to be a comparable achievement to Dark Side Of The Moon or The Wall, was released in August 1992.
Prior to his 1999-2000 North American presentations of In The Flesh, Waters' sole major performance of the Nineties was the legendary 1990 production of The Wall in Berlin; a historic event which took place in front of more than 350,000 people at the site of the then-newly-destroyed Berlin Wall.
The Wall attracted a live television audience of more than 100 million viewers. The summers of 1999 and 2000 brought great success for Roger's In The Flesh tour, where tickets sold out in 50 North American concerts.
Demand for tickets was so intense that many concert venues were changed mid-tour and upgraded to larger capacity arenas and amphitheatres. The popular demand for seats was matched by critical acclaim for the shows. Music writers praised the power of Waters' performances, the timelessness of his music, the show's intimate production values and seamless structure.
The San Jose Mercury News reported that the show "was rock as art, with the kind of concern for sound rarely seen today." And the Fort Worth Star Telegram raved that "his long two-set show made up mainly of Floyd classics was on a more human scale...this show felt like a celebration."
The Los Angeles Times was equally enthusiastic and wrote "the show illustrated the extent to which Waters operatic rock has influenced generations."
In The Flesh presents, for the first time, a comprehensive overview of Waters' music including early Pink Floyd material; classic compositions from his masterpieces The Wall and Dark Side Of The Moon; less well-known pieces from Animals, Wish You Were Here,and The Final Cut, songs from the solo tour de force Amused To Death and The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking; and the debut of a new song Each Small Candle.
In The Flesh shows utilise elaborate large-scale video projections, theatrical set-pieces and a dazzling array of special effects to underscore and accentuate the power of the music which is delivered via a state-of-the-art 360 degree quadraphonic sound system immersing the audience in a three-dimensional hyper-world.
Waters is accompanied by his hand-picked group of world-class musicians: Andy Fairweather-Low (guitar), Snowy White (guitar), Chester Kamen (guitarist and vocals), Graham Broad (drums), Andy Wallace (keyboards), Harry Waters (keyboards), Norbert Stachel (saxophone), Katie Kissoon (vocals), P.P. Arnold (vocals) and Linda Lewis (vocals).
Pancho Campo, president, CSM, the organisers of the event, says: "I don't think there is anybody who isn't aware of Pink Floyd and their groundbreaking music, a major part of which was down to Waters.
"We believe that this is a concert that offers audiences of 25 and above the opportunity to enjoy music they have grown-up listening to and, at the same time, be amazed at what is sure to be a breathtaking show on a scale that Dubai hasn't seen before."
Tickets for the a two-and-a half-hour show are priced at Dhs 160 for standing, Dhs 175 for seating and Dhs 475 for VIP and are available at Virgin Megastores, Planet Hollywood, the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, Spinneys' record outlets (Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Doha - Qmart), the Fairmont Dubai or online with www.csmshows.com. The show is sponsored by Club Nokia, in association with Evian, the Fairmont Hotel, Showtime, Spinneys, Budget, SAPO, Virgin Megastores, Gulf Technical Commercial Printing Press, Welcare Hospital, Emirates 99.3 and 90.5FM, Hum FM, UAQ FM and CSM.
Waters still runs deep
Gulf News - Dubai, 27 March 2002
In a little over two weeks' time Roger Waters, the former creative genius and lyricist with premier British space-rock band Pink Floyd, will bring his In The Flesh 2002 World Tour to the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club.
But a more fortunate group of music lovers, corporate guests and members of the media were treated to an exciting sneak preview of the rock great's world smash tour at the city's newest five-star hotel, Fairmont Dubai, on Monday evening.
Guests were privy to video clips from the concert which attracted sell-out audiences in the U.S., South America and South Africa.
Pink Floyd are known mostly for their grandiose concept albums and performances and Waters has continued in that tradition ever since he split from the band in 1983 to pursue a successful solo career.
The show will see bassist/vocalist Waters perform classic songs from Floyd's historic Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall albums in addition to material from his solo albums Amused To Death, Radio KAOS and The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking.
"There has definitely not been a show like this in Dubai before," Pancho Campo, president of organisers CSM, told the gathering. "We want to thank Club Nokia for making it possible.
"The production really is astonishing. The crew are bringing 17.5 tonnes of equipment with them, in addition to what we are hiring locally. The sound quality, the pyrotechnics, the lighting and the typical Floyd imagery projected on to 80ft wide and 50ft tall video screens really makes this a show not to be missed."
Commenting on the event Claire Malcolm, director, public relations, Fairmont Dubai, said: "We wanted to host the evening because this is by far the biggest show to hit Dubai and we wanted to give our guests a sneak preview of what they can expect to see on the night.
"The enormity and production quality of the concert really is something that has to be seen to be believed and the Fairmont Dubai is delighted to be associated with an event of this calibre."
Eddi Maalouf, marketing manager, Nokia, title sponsors of the concert, echoed Malcolm's sentiments. "Roger Waters is a true musical genius and one of the world's most influential artistes," he said.
"We are proud to be able to bring his unique show to the Middle East and give Club Nokia members the opportunity to enjoy the songs that have inspired so may people across the world."
Tickets for Roger Waters' "anti-capitalism" concert not cheap
The Nando Times - Dubai, April 16 2002
"The graveyards have turned to golf courses," Roger Waters of Pink Floyd crooned to thousands of people filling the green of the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club Monday night.
It was the first time Waters, called the "creative genius of Pink Floyd," performed in the commercial capital of United Arab Emirates, where 80 percent of the Gulf state's 3 million population are foreigners.
His criticism of the capitalist system and modern principles and priorities in songs such as "Money" and "Pigs" was ironic in this setting and among an audience which traveled thousands of miles to make a living in Dubai, said to be the most competitive and commercial city in the Middle East.
More than 10,000 fans - mostly expatriates from the United States, Europe, Asia and non-Gulf Arab countries - sang along with Roger Waters to Pink Floyd's famous music and lyrics. The audience sing-along had participants mocking their own lifestyles in this new city that is slowly beginning to resemble Manhattan with its skyscrapers and overwhelmingly corporate atmosphere.
Observers said the rock artist's clear success in Dubai came about in the traditional capitalist method, having been sponsored by multinationals like Nokia, cable network Showtime and the Canadian-based Fairmont Hotels. Ticket prices ranged from $45 to $130.
Waters and band members refused to speak to reporters at their residence in the newly-opened Dubai Fairmont Hotel, a 35-floor, modern facility located in the heart of Dubai's business center that only opened this year.
The unprecedented concert, with large screens in the background and a high-tech sound system new to the region, included the classical songs of Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon," "The Wall," "Amused to Death," "Wish You Were Here" and "The Final Cut."
Organizers said the concert attracted the largest audience in the United Arab Emirates since famous and popular Western artists began to perform in this Gulf state, where local residents are hardly seen in public. Dubai has been the venue for live concerts by artists such as Tom Jones and Shaggy in the past few months.
Waters, who left the British rock group in 1984, was in Dubai as part of a four-month "In the Flesh" tour across the world that he launched with his nine-member band in Cape Town, South Africa, in February. He is due to perform in Beirut on Wednesday before continuing his tour around Europe and Russia.