LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 06: Roger Waters performs on stage at The O2 Arena during the 'This is Not A ... [+]
Roger Waters made his return to the stage this past Sunday, October 8, at the iconic London Palladium, and it ended up being a headline-grabbing concert...but for all the wrong reasons.
Fans and critics alike had high hopes for the show, especially since it marked the rocker’s first live performance since the release of his latest project, The Dark Side of the Moon Redux. Sadly, what transpired that evening left many concertgoers bewildered and disappointed.
The 80-year-old Pink Floyd legend decided to spend a significant and early portion of the evening reading excerpts from his yet-to-be-published memoir, which is apparently titled Dark Side of the Moon: Memoirs of a Lanky Prick. He didn’t set the words to music or interpret them in any way. Instead, it appears he simply sat at a desk with his laptop open, reading. That’s it.
While some super fans likely enjoyed hearing about Water’s past, not all the tales were about his rock and roll life. In fact, one of the most peculiar stories he chose to share with the audience revolved around a duck named Donald. This narrative unfolded for an excruciating 20 minutes, pushing the patience of the audience to its limits.
As restlessness began to permeate the theater, Waters seemed unfazed and continued to read from his laptop, a decision that would soon prove to be one the crowd didn’t care for. In a moment of frustration, he lashed out at the fans who had come to enjoy his musical performance, berating them for their growing impatience.
"If you want to tell stories, tell them in your own time to your own audience in your own f***ing theatre," Waters exclaimed to his own fans, as reported by Daily Mail. "By the way, if you can show constraint and stop shouting again." He later said, reportedly, simply, “F*** off.”
This unexpected outburst caught many by surprise. The use of explicit language and Waters' dismissive attitude towards his own audience left a sour taste in the mouths of those in attendance.
The National News reports that the audience had been given the heads-up that the show would be split into different sections, including one that ended up being all about his memoir. That warning wasn’t enough for some, though.
In the aftermath of the incident, some concertgoers chose to leave, likely feeling disrespected and let down by the rocker. After he continued to read, Waters and his band did play for a full concert, but by then, some of those who had purchased a ticket had already left.
Waters went back to the same venue and played a second show the following night to another crowd, who were likely apprehensive if they’d read about what had happened the night prior.
The former Pink Floyd musician is promoting his new album The Dark Side of the Moon Redux, a reworking of the band’s iconic The Dark Side of the Moon album, which is regarded as one of the most important titles in rock history.
