September 14th - WEMBLEY STADIUM, LONDON, ENGLAND |
Capacity: 80,000 Address of venue: Royal Route, Wembley, Greater London, HA9 0WS. MAP Website: www.wembleystadium.com
COMMENTS Roger returns home to the UK for the sole show - Wembley Stadium, which is these days considered to be within Greater London. Pink Floyd performed a pair of shows at the old stadium back in 1988, but of course a few years ago that stadium was demolished for this shiny new sporting and musical venue, which has already been host to large concerts from artists like U2 and Take That. Now comes The Wall... The RogerWaters.com presales have taken place, with advance tickets available to those who had registered their interest in particular cities. General sale tickets are on sale through Ticketmaster and other official agents (exact dates and outlets can be found via Roger's website). The public sale will also see a limited number of VIP packages made available for each show on the tour. YOUR HELP NEEDED! We want to cover Roger's concerts the best we can, to share the experience with everyone, especially those who won't be able to attend the shows. We'd love to see ANY pictures, tickets scans, reviews, newspaper reports, and anything else you come across for this show - we look forward to hearing from you!
WARNING - SPOILERS AHEAD! Do not read on if you don't want surprises to be spoilt, regarding what the band played, and what happened as the night unfolded! Night twenty-four of the tour, and what Roger clearly considering a "homecoming" concert. In his introduction to Mother, he made reference to the return to Blighty, which is a slang term for Britain. The venue was REALLY full and clearly very close to capacity... my comments about the show are below - if YOU went to this show in London, please let us know what you thought of the event, and if anything interesting or different happened if you've been to previous shows and can compare. Just three shows remain until the end of the tour - and the final Roger Waters concert, possibly. Next stop, a trip up the motorway for the production for the Manchester concert, a return to the indoor version of the show for one last time. CONCERT REVIEW and PICTURES by BD's Matt For many, Wembley is a bit of a pain to get to. On the outskirts of London, it takes a bit of time and planning for most to get there, and despite some obvious regeneration of the area, some parts aren't that attractive. There's lots of building works ongoing, and thus, whilst the rebuilt Wembley Stadium looks impressive (despite the iconic twin towers being long gone now) the impression - particularly to visitors to the country - as you approach it, is not quite as the architects would have wanted. The new stadium includes elements of cover from its roof - largely open, there is enough of an overhang that if the threatened awful weather had transpired, most of the audience would have been protected. As it happens, the predictions were wrong, and although chilly, it turned out to be a clear and dry night. This overhang though did have an unfortunate side affect which meant that the opening firework salvo didn't have the rear fireworks that appear to come from the roof, towering over proceedings. Despite all the rumours of poor ticket sales for Wembley, the place was packed. There were LOADS of people there - must've been near capacity, with the pitch area very full. When we arrived, I was stunned by how many people were already in position (see picture) especially having not long done the Berlin show which was not a sell-out and felt that way, too. Unfortunately, there were a few on the floor (some literally!) who'd had far too much to drink, and an annoying number using flash (and the odd laser pointer used to particularly irritating effect). The plea for "flash forced off" was made pre-show but clearly some felt it didn't apply to them. Despite Roger saying that it was the best London audience he'd performed for, there was a slightly odd atmosphere in the stadium tonight. I think the feeling that (a) there was no David Gilmour - cemented when Dave Kilminster appeared atop the bricks - and (b) this was probably his final ever London show was weighing on people a bit. End of an era and all that... For some reason - probably more borne out of hope rather than any kind of expectation - there were rumours that Gilmour WOULD be back for one more appearance. Not least, the people trying to fuel the rumours would point out, it would be great for the concert DVD to include DG atop the outdoor version of the wall. The fact that the agreement was only ever for Gilmour to guest at one show seemed to be brushed aside. With Nick Mason quite happily braving the elements at the Goodwood Revival Festival this weekend, a fully fledged reunion of the three of them was never going to happen. It was an odd mix of emotion that you could feel whilst moving through the crowd. Anticipation of the show. Excitement for many seeing the outdoor show for the first, and last, time. The feeling of loss, knowing that it was soon to be all over. Wonder if we'd ever see the likes of Roger performing live in London again. All of this was palpable, not least in the comments being made by various audience members. As for the show itself, certain aspects seemed to have greater resonance. The tribute to Jean Charles de Menezes, and Roger's comments following this, seemed very close to home for many, and little encouragement was needed for a response to the question of trusting the government. The enthusiasm of the crowd was evident, particularly during the stand-out tracks of the second half, leaving Roger to enjoy his final concert without having to try and rouse a reluctant audience (as he did, for example, in Berlin). Technically, all was fine. As mentioned before, the stage itself was covered in part (at least) by the roof, such as it was, and this scaled down the fireworks. There was a small microphone issue at the start of Don't Leave Me Now, but other than that, all went well. At this stage of the tour everything should act as a very-well oiled machine, although stress and fatigue can set into equipment over time so consequently one can tend to cancel the other out. The additions to the projections since the last home gig certainly went down a treat, and the ritual slaughter of the pig (a feature of the outdoor shows) came as a pleasant shock to the crowd, especially those close to it who made short work of ripping it into little pieces. At one point once The Trial had taken place, and Roger urged the tearing down of the wall, I was wondering if it would ever come down. The projected fall of bricks either side took place, yet the main body of the wall remained resolutely upright for what felt like ages, until a single brick was knocked out then the rest all came down in one, massive, reluctant chunk. If this WAS Roger's last hurrah in London, the concert was a fitting end. The band played really well, although even they seemed to display elements of how the end of the tour's proximity was preying on their minds. A show like The Wall won't ever come around again, and it's clear everyone involved has had a real blast since it all kicked off in 2010. It's not all over yet though - three more shows to go, which should each be great concerts! CONCERT COMMENTS and PICTURE by BD CONTRIBUTOR, Darren Blake Been a Floyd fan since 1979 and saw the Wembley show last night with my daughter. Emotional. Anyway, really wanted to contribute to your request. Here's the view from block 552! P.S. My daughter now thinks 'Comfortably Numb' is the best song ever. Just like her dad. CONCERT REVIEW and PICTURES by BD CONTRIBUTOR, Gary Ashton Have just got home from Wembley, what a fantastic show...really looking forward to Manchester tomorrow. A few images here...a couple of unusual ones, I just caught The Wall as it was about to come down, I honestly thought it was going to land on us! There's also one of Dave Kilminster's shadow at the back of the stadium whilst he did his solo on 'Comfy'. CONCERT REVIEW by BD CONTRIBUTOR, Nev Rudland After many concerts of Pink Floyd, Roger Waters and David Gilmour I have witnessed, The Wall at Wembley stadium is the best production I have been to. I saw The Wall way back in 1981 and I thought after watching that nothing would ever top that, how wrong was I, this concert was awesome. From the first notes of In the Flesh through Empty spaces and the Grand Finale of The Trial it was performed with precision and dedication by all on stage, and this after 200+ shows. If this was the last concert Roger Waters will ever do, he certainly went out in style, I have followed him since he left the Floyd and seen some great shows from The Pros and Cons, KAOS, In the Flesh, DSOTM, and The Wall and I have never been to a bad show over all those years. One minor point I would like to mention was the Merchandise, I had looked online prior to the concert and had a look of what was on offer and it seemed reasonably priced, so I had decided what I would purchase when I got to the concert. But when I saw the prices I was taken aback a bit, online programmes are £9.95 but £20 at the concert, The Hoodies £29.95 online and £60 at the concert and the Mug which is £7.95 online was a staggering £20 at the concert. OK I know you don't have to buy these things and it is personal choice but to double/triple the prices is a bit naughty. CONCERT REVIEW by BD CONTRIBUTOR, Simon Denton In terms of review of the London performance I have nothing really to add to what I have said previously about Rome and Belgrade, other than to say it seemed to me that Roger was absolutely out to enjoy the "home crowd" and the London crowd certainly gave him and the band a great response. The band too seemed to realise that this was an important (historic ?) venue. In particular Dave Kilminster and Snowy White along with the singers seemed to somehow give even more than usual; Dave K somehow milked even more than usual out of the Comfortably Numb solo atop the wall. Just wondering if anyone else has commented on what Roger said after Outside The Wall? I wondered if this was Roger's retirement speech to London as I think he said: "THANK YOU ! Thank you......" Long pause, looking out on the London audience, drinking in the home crowd. "I've played London 226 times..and this is the last one. At Wembley ! And what a great way to come back to London. You have been the best audience I have ever seen in this city...." Huge roar from the crowd interrupts. "Seriously..." Another huge roar interrupts. "Wow....it means a great deal to me. And to everyone up here and we thank you." If this really is it, I have to wonder if we will ever see the like of it again. As much as I have loved this tour, including Saturday evening in cold London, the thought that we won't leaves me feeling something of a loss. CONCERT REVIEW by BD CONTRIBUTOR, Heather Fenton After the fantastic seats we had at the O2 where we could watch the band and really feel part of it we realised that this would be a different ball game but at least we would appreciate the visuals more. Needless to say despite Ticketmaster best available at 9am on the first day we got the tower in the way but no worries there were the screens. Unfortunately in the early part the visuals were out of sync with the sound most noticeable with Robbie's lips being a few seconds ahead of the sound! and Roger standing still on the screen but walking across the stage in real time! We appreciate that these technicalities could happen any time any place anywhere and the marching hammers right across the screen was particularly memorable BUT what we cannot get over even now was the total lack of atmosphere. It was so flat no swaying to C Numb, no clapping to Run Like Hell in fact very little applause at all. Afterwards going back to the tube the only comment we heard was at least the second half was better and on the tube itself total silence no buzz nothing. I have to confess I felt pretty depressed and totally disengaged which was a huge shame as if this was Roger's swansong then it wasn't the high we would have liked and totally ironic supporting Roger's views of stadium gigs from 1977! Maybe after a nice long well deserved rest he might reconsider and maybe adopt David's idea of smaller venues and less of the spectacle. DSOTM at the Royal Albert Hall or similar at least with that the band do a lot of the work whereas for The Wall a lot of it is down to him. Hope the last couple of shows work out well for him and all who go and we shall look forward to the DVD! CONCERT REVIEW by BD CONTRIBUTOR, Julien Piscione We arrive from France to see, one more time, The wall. We decided to come to see Roger's best show ever, in the UK, at Wembley Stadium in the home of Pink Floyd's bass player. The stadium is amazing, and when we discovered the stadium, and the stage, the wall seems really small in this huge stadium. So many people everywhere to see, maybe, the last tour for Roger. Everyone seems to be there to say for one more time "Thank you" to Roger and Pink Floyd for their music. The wall show is much more better than in 2011 at O2 Arena, and in Paris at Bercy Arena. There were many changes in the different pictures shown on the wall. It was a magnificent show and maybe the best sound ever heard in a stadium. Thank you Roger and all of the band. CONCERT PICTURE by BD CONTRIBUTOR, Frank After the wall had fallen, and the concert finished... a slightly different picture than normal: CONCERT REVIEW and PICTURES by BD CONTRIBUTOR, Joe McGuire No seat at this one and not anticipating a good view, but have the freedom to roam. Dragged the wife and weans (to the best show they will ever see) and this was by far the best experience I have had at a Wall concert. Standing at the back of the pitch, the stage looked miles away with a sea of mullets getting in the way, this was however to be where I got the stadium sound I never got in Berlin, having had a seat near the front. This gig blew me away, the sound was fantastic and all my 'Roger Waters doesn't sound as good as Pink Floyd' thoughts just washed away. This was Roger taking his place, a master craftsman at the top of his game showing the music world how to put on a show. If I though the first half was good the second half was to seal this gig as my best ever. In the middle of the pitch by now the sound was astounding, the Wall was complete and the projections along its length were mesmerising. If ever I have had a space cadet glow, it was during the second half of this show - fantastically brilliant! CONCERT REVIEW by BD CONTRIBUTOR, Graham Fielding Graham's written a review of Roger's gig at Wembley Stadium, which can be seen in full at his blog: grahamfielding.co.uk/?p=154. CONCERT REVIEWS and PICTURES by other BD CONTRIBUTORS Hopefully coming soon - we welcome all contributions! |
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 12 October 2013 ) |