Roger Waters and his Wall - The Wall Concert Review

Last November 6, I went to the Roger Waters The Wall Concert. After two days of sold out concerts on October, he came back to a one day concert.

The concert took place at the Madison Square Garden. I went to his Dark Side of the Moon Concert two or three years ago in Brazil, at Morumbi Stadium. Differently from what happened in Brazil, despite the fact that everyone had a "seat", nobody would annoy you if you decide to stand at any point of the show. In Brazil, if you did that, the staff would come immediately to you asking you to seat..... I don't need to mention that we almost arrange a fight for that.. but nevermind.

The Concert started with a half built wall, with Roger Waters playing in the middle. He tried to re-create the movie, but in a mixture of opera-rock-concert adapted to new changes of the world. Instead Cold War, American Supremacy, Terrorism and Religious War. The sound was outstanding! Just perfect.

While he was playing, the bricks were put in place, building the Wall . After, the first half (of the first part of the show - the show was divide in 2 parts), it became impossible to see RW or his band playing, and the concert started to be a little bit boring. Almost the end, just three holes inside the wall separate RW from the public. At the end of the 1st part, the wall as entirely build.

The 2nd part, RW used the wall as an huge screen, projecting images and intercalating with some occasional openings of part of the Wall. I looked like he was inside a theater, trying to connect to the audience; however, the size of MSG did not permit that, and instead, the public kept not connect with it. The result was a mixture of good and bad moments, depending on where RW was.

The Flying Pig was amazing, and after that the Band appear from the ground, connecting itself again, and few songs after disapearing as if never have been there.

At the end, the Wall as demolished, and with it RW (as the Pink Floyd did) tried to demonstrate we don't need the government as he needs us.

Messages as "Don't trust the government", "fear builds walls", images showing bureaucrats as pigs and even a mention to Jean Charles (the Brazilian who was killed by the English Police inside the subway) appeared, trying to develop the revolutionary spirit of the crowd. During the intermission the "Wall" showed persons who were killed (in wars or terrorist acts).

The other amazing moment was during "Another Brick on the Wall Part I" when about 20 to 50 kids from the Boy's Club of New York, helped RG singing the lyric.

The setlist was:

Set 1
In The Flesh?
The Thin Ice
Another Brick In The Wall, Part 1
The Happiest Days Of Our Lives
Another Brick In The Wall, Part 2
Mother
Goodbye Blue Sky
Empty Spaces
What Shall We Do Now?
Young Lust
One Of My Turns
Don't Leave Me Now
Another Brick In The Wall, Part 3
The Last Few Bricks
Goodbye Cruel World

Intermission

Set 2
Hey You
Is There Anybody Out There?
Nobody Home
Vera
Bring The Boys Back Home
Comfortably Numb
The Show Must Go On
In The Flesh
Run Like Hell
Waiting For The Worms
Stop
The Trial
Outside The Wall

   

What the French Can Do For You!

Last Wednesday (October 20) Phoenix step into the Madison Square Garden to play for a magnificent crowd. Since many of its hits were remixed along the years, I went expecting a mixture of rock&roll and electronic music, as for what they became known.

Before anything, however, it is important  to recognize two things. First, I wasn't able to find a "General Admission Ticket" for the PIT, and I ended with a 200 Level Seat. A lot of people might disagree with me, but I am not used to have a seat in a rock concert. Second, I was really in the mood for the concert, which really can make a difference, especially if you are going to attend a concert by yourself.

Outside the weather was chilled, but once I got to the MSG I saw a really excited mob. Like me, the year range was 30's, with lots of foreigners (lots of French - why??), so I felt really comfortable there. (I still find really annoying when I am the only blue dot in a red square place).

Time for a beer, find my seat, and BANG! The concert started... and different from my early expectations, it started in a pure and solid rock and roll. Power drums, loud guitars, and Thomas Mars' voice appeared in a perfect cadence, making the fans jump from their seats in a instantaneously action - Lisztomania.

With an clean concert, they made more than lots of big fancy productions. And this is what rock and roll is all about. Just some lights, a wonderful set list, a lot of energy and a crowd that went crazy at the end of every song. Their focus were more on Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix (but I prefer I little bit more their first Album, United), as their well acclaimed album, but they could arrange well their hits.

While watching the concert, it made me remember the Vampire Week concert, a month before, at Radio City. Not even close from what was happening at MSG on that moment. A "crazy-mature" band! Mars throw himself to the cluster several times, as if he were at a underground club.

From the middle to the end they started to calm down, as with the French cover of La Fille Aux Cheveux Clairs (Johnny Hallyday) - as expected since it was on their setlist.

What wasn't expected was the next performance. From nowhere Daft Punk arouse, and my first anticipation become true. The electronic-rock finally appear with all its strength. The French were together, and Daft Punk finally got out of its concert hibernation. Mixing Around the World with Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger was extraordinary. If anyone could imagine any surprise, this was the best one!! And with the concert, Phoenix “finally” got out the “indie” label to enter into the select group of bands – the question is, what we can expect next? Now the level is high! 

  

Set List:

1. Lisztomania

2. Lasso

3. Long Distance Call

4. Fences

5. Girlfriend

6. Armistice

7. North

8. Love Like a Sunset

9. Run Run Run

10. Rally

11. Rome

12. Funky Squaredance

13. Honeymoon

14. La Fille Aux Cheveux Clairs

15. If I Ever Feell Better

16. Around the World/ Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger (w/ Daft Punk)

17. 1901 (w/ Daft Punk)

- photos and videos will be published soon.