Roger Waters

Not every seat is filled on this Thursday evening at the impressive but shabby Wembley venue, though the turnout is expectedly solid with a predictably heavy male presence.

For a man who is knowingly hostile towards performing at football stadiums, Roger Waters appears comfortable but far from numb. An undoubtedly influential figurehead of the rock world and co-founder of one of the worlds most well loved and ambitious bands, Waters seems to have mellowed in outlook, but tonight's performance still reflects some of the anger at world injustice and anti-capitalist stance that he's renowned for.

The huge stage of different levels and typically huge Floyd backdrops showing footage of our own romantic and ominously beautiful Battersea Power Station complete with flying pigs, old clips of Syd and the boys in 70's flared trousers and The Wall's marching hammers make for trembling excitement for hardcore Waters fans.

The 62nd and final gig of this world tour sees one of the ultimate godfathers of British rock on form and youthful for a man of his years.

Nick Mason, Snowy White, Andy Fairweather-low and P P Arnold are bonus creative components to this hugely entertaining line up of keyboards, saxophone and variety of guitars, all led with screechingly familiar and gut wrenching solo's mainly by Roger himself. White and Fairweather-low's stamina and experienced riffs together with a hand picked mix of compatible talent presents us with a unique picture of mutual respect, mature talent and natural unity born out of experience.

The last few years have seen true fans practically starved of this man's live presence and this tour has seen him thoroughly prepared to make up for this with over two and a half hours of blissful intensity. Though his appearances are few and far between he is as usual, set to deliver " the greatest show on earth".

A timeless mix of over twenty songs taken from "Dark Side Of The Moon" and "The Final Cut", to later pearls from "The Pros And Cons Of Hitchiking" and "Amused To Death" are performed impeccably with devotion and are carried off with Waters' familiarly acrobatic pitch which is, as usual topped of with an immaculate helping of strong female vocal. Lyrically this man is and always has been a genius, mixing irony, humour and political standpoints and using his musical platform to enlighten and entertain a generation. Tonight is a reinforcement of that fact, particularly with the performance of 'Perfect Sense (Parts I and II)' which is positively anthemic, making the enforced rules of remaining seated at Wembley feel like torture.

In true British style, audience participation is reserved and low key, hardly worthy of such a powerful and true performance from this legendary being. A few air punches and whistles can be seen and heard to reinforce the appreciation and gratitude, particularly during the stoner's favourite 'Comfortably Numb'. The amazing audio dynamics of Wembley Arena are crystal clear and heighten the senses. The familiar Waters' extras of dogs barking, helicopters and the like, make for spine tingling moments of clarity and recognition.

Roger Waters seems to have matured in many ways over the years. Lyrically he has softened, performance wise he seems happier and more open, anger and cynicism seem to have been replaced by love for what he does and a genuine respect for his audience who have supported him and will undoubtedly continue to do so.

People either love or hate this man and what he stands for. For those of us who truly appreciate and respect the gifts and inspiration that his work represents, there could never be enough of it.

Lets hope that the words of the maestro are true "miraculous you call it babe, you aint seen nothing yet".

Wembley Arena 27.06.02