‘If you’re one of those ‘I love Pink Floyd but I can’t stand Roger’s politics’ people, then you might do well to fuck off to the bar,” announces the singer via a recorded message before the show. There isn’t a mass stampede, although the “can’t stand Roger’s politics” people have certainly been vocal lately. He’s been called an antisemite and “Putin apologist” by Polly Samson , wife of ex-bandmate David Gilmour, who gave her tweet his approval. Waters has condemned the invasion of Ukraine but been denounced in the country for also saying it “was not unprovoked”, views which led to Polish concerts being cancelled. He won a legal battle to perform in Frankfurt after more accusations of antisemitism (which he denies). Last week it was reported that German police are investigating him over a “Nazi-style” costume worn on stage in Berlin.
Here, Waters tackles all this head-on. A screened statement points out that a satirical “depiction of an unhinged fascist demagogue” has been part of his shows since The Wall in 1980 and that his father was killed fighting the Nazis. Then he launches into a 10-minute tirade in which he decries his “brutal” treatment in Germany and says that the Daily Mail, the Times and the Daily Telegraph are trying to destroy him over his support for human rights in Palestine. “They’re trying to cancel me like they cancelled Jeremy Corbyn and Julian Assange,” he rages. “I will not be cancelled.” By the time he thanks the crowd for their support, the 79-year-old is tearful. “I’m fucking dying here,” he pleads.
