fredag 15. oktober 2010

If I had my way, I'd have all of them shot!

One can say quite a few things about music in the 21st century. Lady Gaga is playing in Oslo this weekend. There is a popular tune these days called "Shots" (the alcohol kind). People who have done absolutely nothing for the advancement of anything except the sale of diamonds and Escalades are making millions of hard currency.

Tonight, I have the pleasure of reporting that all hope is not lost.

The Wall is every bit as majestic, dynamic, driving, political (and politically incorrect) in 2010 as it was in 1980. Venue attended is possibly a bit smaller than most of the other places Waters will visit, but it breeds an enormous sense of intimacy between Waters (and the rest of the band) and the audience. It seems like he is having more fun this time around, without all the stress and arguments of late 70s Floyd. Going cover to cover (wall to wall?), the performers never let up and it is very easy to get suckered in. Waters is an entertainer and wields the machinery with precision (did I mention that the building of the wall and subsequent projection imagery is accurate to a few seconds? Absolutely brilliant use of new technology, and when you realize who they have pictured on the Wall, you get chills down into your shoes. One example: a video of a little girl, she start's clapping and smiling, then goes over into tears as she stands up and runs into the arms of her father walking into the room wearing fatigues. Fucking powerful. I do believe this was during Vera Lynn).

A few moments that stood out to me: the opening sequence, with flags, searchlights, pyro and the famed fighter plane crashing into one side of the Wall; Waters playing Mother while a recording of him from Earl's Court is projected on the screens; Vera Lynn through Comfortably Numb; and obviously the ending as the bricks come tumbling down. I am still fucking wired.

Two shows in Norway April/May. Go get your tickets. Not a suggestion, more of a command.

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