Chicago’s Most Eclectic Independent Music Publication

Latest News

  • Legendary Mask Maker, Zagone Studios, Approaches Fifty-Years Of Innovation Right Here In Chicago
  • Wilmette Illinois’ Own, Music Theater Works, Launches Into 43 Year With A Signal Grant By The Bayless Family Foundation
  • Photo Gallery: Naked Raygun In Store Event at Quimby’s: Broken Things 7” With Comic And Wax Trax! Records Pop Up
  • Photo Gallery: Black Label Society @ Radius Chicago 2023
  • Photo Gallery: Anthrax @ Radius Chicago 2023
  • Live Review: Anthrax Bring 40 Years of Metal Thrashing Madness To Chicago
  • Home
  • Music News
    • Breaking News
    • Features
    • This Just In
    • Interviews
    • Reviews
    • ITLM OTRS
    • Local Loop
    • Musical Theatre
    • ChiBluesBro’s Jukebox Reviews
  • Media
    • Photos
    • Videos
    • Streaming Live
  • Events
  • Festivals
  • Promotions
  • About
  • Contact
  • Follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Google+
    • Youtube

Concert Review: Roger Waters, This Is Not A Drill Chicago, Stunning Audio And Video Showcase Of Legendary Catalog

Jul 28, 2022 admin_bitlc Features, Music News, Reviews 0


Concert Review: Roger Waters, This Is Not A Drill Chicago, Stunning Audio And Video Showcase Of Legendary Catalog

By Christopher David

“Syd and I had it all figured.  We’d start a band.”

The understated foreshadowing of this statement about halfway though Roger Waters’ set at the United Center on Tuesday offered some context for attendees who perhaps didn’t know the full history of the legendary Pink Floyd, and throughout the night, glimpses into the band’s history appeared as text messages on the massive, X-shaped screens that formed the foundation of the ‘in the round’ approach; it was a goosebump-inducing callback for the faithful die-hards, but it was exactly one of several things that contributed to the overall imbalance of Waters’ current “This is Not a Drill” show.

First off, Waters has set a high-bar for himself with his 2010-12 deep dive into The Wall, surely one of the most ambitious tours of all time, and his 2018 tour, complete with the Animals factory and a stunning, arena-sized Dark Side light prism for the climax would be far and away enough for any band to enter the annals of rock-tour infamy.  And make no mistake – “This is Not A Drill” is a visually stunning, emotionally affecting show, no question; no one outside of perhaps U2 could, at this point in the live music landscape, deliver a show of this caliber.  But perhaps it’s the result of those meticulously constructed tours past that left Tuesday’s show feeling somewhat scattered and unfocused at times.  Waters’ recent material is strong and, as one would expect, heavily political; anyone who would raise a flag on that play has no understanding of Waters’ musical or personal history.  Which is why the spelling out of certain elements via screen-text felt so odd at times; of course Animals was an homage to George Orwell, and most Floyd fans know that Waters has a deeply committed sense of social justice that presides over much of his imagery and lyrics.

It felt, at various points, as though this show didn’t know what it wanted to be.  Was it a Waters/Floyd retrospective at career’s end?  It certainly felt like it at times, from the marching hammer rally of “In the Flesh” calling back the 2012 stadium tour, to the explicitly stated history of the band that played out on the screens and felt like excerpts from a diary, to the suite of tunes from Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here.  Or was it the pancake stack of political messages from start to finish, with not a free moment to breathe and simply enjoy being at a rock show?  Waters offered a humorous disclaimer at the start, letting fans who weren’t on board with his politics the chance to ‘fuck off to the bar’—given the current political landscape, perhaps this was necessary, though it’s a shame that it had to be.  A nice wink-and-nod to that was the performance of a new tune called “The Bar,” built around the idea of a neighborhood bar as a place of non-judgmental sharing of ideas; the lyrical framework of the arena as a such a meeting place was a great springboard for intimacy, and few artists can achieve this level of bringing a room of any size together.

The politics themselves weren’t the problem; as I said, one would expect this from a long-time champion of human rights.  But the political messages were near nonstop the entire night, with random, confusing images of frightened children and bombs falling during the record-label basher “Have A Cigar,” for example; such imagery and messaging had no place in the song, but it was shoe-horned in anyway.  Why, when so much of the show (mainly Waters’ most recent work) was already so deeply steeped in intensely violent, barbed political commentary?  The visual elements and use of the mega-screens were often lush, dazzling compliments to the music onstage—but at times, they were more of a distraction than an compliment, which was unusual for an artist so seasoned in presenting a cohesive, cinematic live performance.  Unfortunately, it was impossible to ignore that the band was largely the backdrop to the barrage of words upon words, when it really should have been the other way around.

In terms of setlist, “Sheep” was a monstrous, triumphant dip into 1977’s Animals, perhaps Floyd’s best album from a technical standpoint, and “Us and Them” has never felt so effortlessly poignant.  “The Bravery of Being Out of Range” from 1992’s Amused to Death saw Waters at the piano for one of several times throughout the night and came across beautifully, and newer songs like “The Powers That Be” and “Deja Vu” from 2017’s Is This the Life We Really Want fit nicely with some the funkier Floyd material like the backend of “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” and “Money,” which itself was a stunningly missed opportunity to showcase each individual band member on the screens; in fact, the band was mostly absent from the camera feed, which furthered the sense of disconnect in terms of Band vs. Messaging; forget seeing most of the musicians from the highest parts of the arena.  (Case in point: the immensely talented Joey Waronker delivered a perfect set from the drum kit, but his image didn’t appear on screen for more than a few seconds over the course of the night until the literal credits rolled.)

Perhaps it’s because the band wasn’t to be the focus if providing an even more overt platform for Waters’ political grievances was the order of this particular go-round.  Understandable, but one wonders what might have come from a more subtle approach.

For more on Roger Waters, click here

For photos from the show, click here

====================================================

Roger Waters – United Center, Chicago, IL, July 26, 2022 (setlist)

Comfortably Numb

The Happiest Days of Our Lives

Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2

Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 3

The Powers That Be

The Bravery of Being Out of Range

The Bar

Have a Cigar

Wish You Were Here

Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Pts. 6-9)

Sheep

*intermission*

In the Flesh

Run Like Hell

Deja Vu

Is This the Life We Really Want?

Money

Us and Them

Any Colour You Like

Brain Damage

Eclipse

Two Suns in the Sunset

The Bar (reprise)

Outside the Wall

Share this:

  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Reddit
  • Pinterest
  • Email

Related


  • tweet
Photo Gallery: Tove Lo: Lollapalooza Aftershow @ The Vic Photo Gallery: Roger Waters @ United Center

admin_bitlc

Related Articles
  • Legendary Mask Maker, Zagone Studios, Approaches Fifty-Years Of Innovation Right Here In Chicago
    Legendary Mask Maker, Zagone Studios,...

    Oct 25, 2021 0

  • Wilmette Illinois’ Own, Music Theater Works, Launches Into 43 Year With A Signal Grant By The Bayless Family Foundation
    Wilmette Illinois’ Own, Music...

    Feb 06, 2023 0

  • Photo Gallery: Naked Raygun In Store Event at Quimby’s: Broken Things 7” With Comic And Wax Trax! Records Pop Up
    Photo Gallery: Naked Raygun In Store...

    Feb 06, 2023 0

  • Photo Gallery: Black Label Society @ Radius Chicago 2023
    Photo Gallery: Black Label Society @...

    Feb 02, 2023 0

  • Photo Gallery: Anthrax @ Radius Chicago 2023
    Photo Gallery: Anthrax @ Radius Chicago...

    Feb 02, 2023 0

More in this category
  • Wilmette Illinois’ Own, Music Theater Works, Launches Into 43 Year With A Signal Grant By The Bayless Family Foundation
    Wilmette Illinois’ Own, Music...

    Feb 06, 2023 0

  • Live Review: Anthrax Bring 40 Years of Metal Thrashing Madness To Chicago
    Live Review: Anthrax Bring 40 Years of...

    Feb 02, 2023 0

  • LONG STORY SHORT: WILLIE NELSON 90 A STAR-STUDDED CONCERT CELEBRATING WILLIE’S 90TH BIRTHDAY
    LONG STORY SHORT: WILLIE NELSON 90 A...

    Jan 25, 2023 0

  • Chicago Premiere: Raven Theatre Presents the Chicago Premiere of RIGHT TO BE FORGOTTEN
    Chicago Premiere: Raven Theatre...

    Jan 23, 2023 0


Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Categories

CALENDAR

February 2023
S M T W T F S
 1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728  
« Jan    

Archives

  • February 2023 (5)
  • January 2023 (9)
  • December 2022 (4)
  • November 2022 (5)
  • October 2022 (12)
  • September 2022 (28)
  • August 2022 (27)
  • July 2022 (37)
  • June 2022 (21)
  • May 2022 (20)
  • April 2022 (13)
  • March 2022 (33)
  • February 2022 (21)
  • January 2022 (22)
  • December 2021 (11)
  • November 2021 (15)
  • October 2021 (16)
  • September 2021 (36)
  • August 2021 (21)
  • July 2021 (26)
  • June 2021 (27)
  • May 2021 (13)
  • April 2021 (12)
  • March 2021 (12)
  • February 2021 (4)
  • January 2021 (2)
  • December 2020 (7)
  • November 2020 (4)
  • October 2020 (3)
  • September 2020 (10)
  • August 2020 (6)
  • July 2020 (7)
  • June 2020 (3)
  • May 2020 (5)
  • April 2020 (3)
  • March 2020 (10)
  • February 2020 (22)
  • January 2020 (10)
  • December 2019 (8)
  • November 2019 (30)
  • October 2019 (30)
  • September 2019 (27)
  • August 2019 (41)
  • July 2019 (33)
  • June 2019 (27)
  • May 2019 (36)
  • April 2019 (25)
  • March 2019 (41)
  • February 2019 (22)
  • January 2019 (11)
  • December 2018 (17)
  • November 2018 (13)
  • October 2018 (34)
  • September 2018 (43)
  • August 2018 (25)
  • July 2018 (34)
  • June 2018 (23)
  • May 2018 (31)
  • April 2018 (24)
  • March 2018 (49)
  • February 2018 (48)
  • January 2018 (25)
  • December 2017 (10)
  • November 2017 (30)
  • October 2017 (10)
  • September 2017 (26)
  • August 2017 (25)
  • July 2017 (42)
  • June 2017 (37)
  • May 2017 (49)
  • April 2017 (54)
  • March 2017 (44)
  • February 2017 (39)
  • January 2017 (14)
  • December 2016 (22)
  • November 2016 (20)
  • October 2016 (20)
  • September 2016 (35)
  • August 2016 (46)
  • July 2016 (51)
  • June 2016 (23)
  • May 2016 (15)
  • April 2016 (18)
  • March 2016 (22)
  • February 2016 (27)
  • January 2016 (11)
  • December 2015 (8)
  • November 2015 (17)
  • October 2015 (21)
  • September 2015 (30)
  • August 2015 (54)
  • July 2015 (49)
  • June 2015 (44)
  • May 2015 (16)
  • April 2015 (6)
  • March 2015 (9)
  • February 2015 (9)
  • January 2015 (2)
  • December 2014 (2)
  • November 2014 (2)
  • October 2014 (1)
  • September 2014 (2)
  • August 2014 (5)
  • July 2014 (1)
  • June 2014 (4)
  • May 2014 (5)
  • April 2014 (1)
  • March 2014 (1)
  • February 2014 (2)
  • January 2014 (2)
  • December 2013 (1)
  • November 2013 (2)
  • October 2013 (1)
  • September 2013 (1)
  • August 2013 (2)
  • July 2013 (3)
  • June 2013 (2)
  • May 2013 (5)
  • April 2013 (3)
  • March 2013 (1)
  • February 2013 (1)
  • May 2012 (2)
  • January 2012 (3)
  • September 2011 (1)

Facebook

Instagram

Photo Gallery: @nakedraygunofficial In Store Event at @quimbysbookstore: Broken Things 7” Single With Comic And @waxtraxchicago Trax! Records! Pop Up.
Photo Gallery: @blacklabelsocietyofficial @radiuschicago 2023. @zakkwyldebls #zakkwylde #blacklabelsociety #doomcrew #doominccrew #hardrock #heavymetal #chicago #radius #concertphotography #concertphotographer 📸 by #jamescurrie
Live Review: @anthrax Bring 40 Years of Metal Thrashing Madness To Chicago. By Christopher David When it comes to sustaining a career, forty years is a long time. And when that career involves constant touring, it becomes one hell of a long time. But you’d never know that it’s been forty years since thrash titans Anthrax landed and broke the mold for what a thrash band could be if you were basing it on Sunday’s raging performance at Chicago’s @radiuschicago club. ... #anthrax #Radius #40thanniversary #thrashmetal
Sad news today. @lin_brehmerxrt always a positive force for Chicago radio @93xrt and beyond. A champion of live events, Chicago life and rock n roll. A legend gone too soon. You will be sadly missed on air, on stage and in our lives. #LinBrehmer #93xrt #WXRT #Chicago
TOMORROW! Chicagoland, Illinois, Joliet, check out our states first and only Rock n Roll Hall of Fame! Friday, January 20th, 2023 at 5PM, @cheaptrick @cheaptrickrick Rick Nielsen will light up "Gigantar" at the Rt 66 roadstop rock shop @Illinois Rock and Roll Museum on Route 66 located at 9 W. Cass St. Joliet, IL 60432. Come by and help launch the opening of this soon to be legendary music business. #irrm #illinoisrockandrollmuseum #ILRR66 #ilrr66gigantar #route66 #rocknroll
2023 LIVE RUN BEGINS JANUARY 30 IN NEW YORK CITY, WITH HEADLINER TO CHANGE EACH NIGHT BOTH BANDS TO PERFORM CLASSIC ALBUMS IN FULL – THE The @thecharlatans UK PERFORMING 1992’S BETWEEN 10TH AND 11TH, @rideox4official PERFORMING 1990’S NOWHERE – ALONG WITH GREATEST HITS, FAN FAVORITES, AND MORE TICKETS FOR ALL ANNOUNCED DATES ON SALE THIS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, AT 10 AM (LOCAL)... #charlatans #rideband https://beintheloopchicago.com/?p=49473
Today, multi-talented and genre-bending artist @chiiild releases his latest track “Good For Now” featuring @recordingacademy Award-winning R&B powerhouse Lucky Daye via Avant Garden/4th & Broadway/Def Jam Recordings. The track will appear on Chiiild’s forthcoming album Better Luck in the Next Life, due out March 3, 2023. #chiiilds
Hey Chicago! Special Event this Sunday: @amctheatres River East 21 To Screen @elvis The 2022 Movie For Free In Honor Of The Kings 88th Birthday. #elvispresley #theking #elvismovie #amctheaters #freeshowing #chicago
Breaking: Kings of Thrash Announce First Leg of Tour With Opening Night Right Here in Chicagoland @forge_live #davidellefson #jeffyoung #killingismybusiness #sofarsogoodsowhat #megadeth #megayears #kingsofthrash https://beintheloopchicago.com/?p=49460
Happy New Year from In The Loop Magazine! Here's to an amazing 2023 filled with great music and events from Chicago to around the globe. #happynewyear #intheloopmagazine #beintheloopchicago #musicnews #ringinginthenewyear

Follow me on Twitter

My Tweets

Tag Cloud

Blues on the Fox (2) Bobby Broom Organi-sation (2) Brian Wilson (2) Can't You Hear Me Knocking (1) Chicago (5) Dap-Kings (1) Doyle Bramhall II (1) Farm Aid (3) Farm Aid 30 (3) FirstMerit Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island (3) Heavy Metal (1) Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre (2) Jamboree (2) Jukebox Pick of the Week (2) Live and Let Die (1) Lollapalooza 2021 (1) Lollapalooza Chicago Grant Park (2) Mavis Staples (1) Moreland & Arbuckle (1) North Mississippi Allstars (1) Otis Taylor Band (1) Paul McCartney (1) Q101 (2) Rattle That Lock (2) Ravina (2) Ravinia (11) RiverEdge Park (2) Rodríguez (2) Rolling Stones (2) Royal Southern Brotherhood (1) Santana (2) Sharon Jones (1) Steely Dan (2) Sticky Fingers (1) Summerfest (1) Tedeschi Trucks Band (1) The Rockabye Gollie Angel Tour (2) Toto (2) Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue (1) United Center (2) Veruca Salt (2) Wheels of Soul Tour (1) Wings (1) Yes (2) ZZ Top (2)

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Stats

  • 177,438 Page Views
© 2023 In The Loop Magazine / All Rights Reserved.
  • Music News
  • Media
  • Festivals
  • Promotions
  • Venues
  • About
  • Gallery
 

Loading Comments...