Home | Pink Floyd Concert Database / Roger Waters Tour Dates / Radio K.A.O.S. Tour North America and UK (1987), Roger Waters
The Radio K.A.O.S. Tour in 1987 was Roger Waters’ second solo tour, following the release of his album “Radio K.A.O.S.” This tour covered North America and the UK and was significant for its conceptual and theatrical approach, reflecting Waters’ penchant for narrative-driven performances. Here’s an overview of the tour:
- Album and Concept: “Radio K.A.O.S.” is a concept album that tells the story of Billy, a young man with a disability that prevents him from speaking but gives him the ability to hear radio waves in his head. The album explores themes of communication, technology, and power, with a strong anti-war message.
- Tour Overview: The Radio K.A.O.S. Tour kicked off in mid-1987 and covered various cities across North America and the UK. The tour was structured around the narrative of the album, with live performances interspersed with pre-recorded segments that advanced the story.
- Musical Style: The music from “Radio K.A.O.S.” incorporated more contemporary sounds compared to Waters’ previous work, including elements of synth-pop and rock. This was reflective of the mid-1980s musical landscape.
- Stage Design and Visuals: True to Waters’ style, the tour featured elaborate stage designs and visual effects. This included innovative use of lighting, projections, and sound effects to create an immersive experience that complemented the storytelling aspect of the show.
- Performance Elements: The tour was notable for its use of pre-recorded dialogue and sound effects to tell Billy’s story, blending these elements seamlessly with live performance. Waters would often interact with these pre-recorded segments during the show, enhancing the theatrical feel of the concerts.
- Setlist: The setlist predominantly featured songs from the “Radio K.A.O.S.” album, along with a few classic Pink Floyd tracks and selections from Waters’ first solo album, “The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking.”
- Reception: The tour received a mixed response. While some praised its ambitious concept and Waters’ commitment to thematic storytelling, others found the heavy use of narrative and sound effects detracted from the musical experience. The album’s more mainstream sound also divided fans who were more accustomed to the classic Pink Floyd style.
- Significance in Waters’ Career: The Radio K.A.O.S. Tour was another step in Waters’ evolution as a solo artist, distancing himself further from his Pink Floyd roots and exploring new thematic and musical territories. It demonstrated his willingness to experiment and take risks with his music and live performances.
The Radio K.A.O.S. Tour remains an interesting chapter in Roger Waters’ career, showcasing his commitment to concept-driven music and performance, even as it challenged the expectations of fans and critics alike.
Radio K.A.O.S. Tour Dates North America and UK (1987)
1987-08-14 : Providence Civic Center (Providence), Providence, Rhode Island, USA
1987-08-15 : Hartford Civic Center (USA), Hartford (Connecticut), USA
1987-08-17 : Kingswood Music Theatre, Toronto (Ontario), Canada
1987-08-19 : Blossom Music Center, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, USA
1987-08-20 : Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo (New York), USA
1987-08-22 : Great Woods (Mansfield), Boston, Massachussets, USA
1987-08-24 : Spectrum Theatre, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
1987-08-26 : Madison Square Garden (Manhattan), New York, New York, USA
1987-08-28 : Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Springs, New York, USA
1987-08-30 : Capitol Music Theater (Landover), Landover, Maryland, USA
1987-09-02 : Omni Coliseum (Atlanta), Atlanta, Georgia, USA
1987-09-04 : Fox Theatre (St Louis), St Louis, Missouri, USA
1987-09-05 : Market Square Arena (Indianapolis), Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
1987-09-06 : Ohio Center (Columbus), Columbus, Ohio, USA
1987-09-08 : Pine Knob Music Theatre, Clarkston, Michigan, USA
1987-09-09 : Poplar Creek Music Theater (Hoffman Estates), Chicago, Illinois, USA
1987-09-10 : Metropolitan Center (Minneapolis), Minneapolis, Minneapolis, USA
1987-09-12 : McNichols Sports Arena (Denver), Denver, Colorado, USA
1987-09-14 : University of Texas (Frank Erwin Center), Austin, Texas, USA
1987-09-15 : Reunion Arena (Reunion Park), Dallas, Texas, USA
1987-09-17 : Veterans Memorial Coliseum (Phoenix), Phoenix, Arizona, USA
1987-09-20 : The Forum (LA), Los Angeles, California, USA
1987-09-23 : Sports Arena (San Diego), San Diego, California, USA
1987-09-26 : Oakland Coliseum Arena, Oakland, California, USA
1987-09-28 : Seattle Center Arena, Seattle, Washington, USA
1987-09-29 : Expo Theatre (Vancouver), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
1987-11-03 : Cumberland County Civic Center, Portland, Maine, USA
1987-11-04 : Brendan Byrne Meadowlands Arena, Rutherford (New Jersey), USA
1987-11-06 : The Forum (Quebec), Quebec City (Quebec), Canada
1987-11-07 : Colisee de Quebec, Quebec City (Quebec), Canada
1987-11-09 : Civic Center, Ottawa, Canada
1987-11-10 : Copps Coliseum, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
1987-11-13 : Milwaukee Expo & Convention Center & Arena, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
1987-11-14 : Arie Crown Theater, Chicago, Illinois, USA
1987-11-16 : The Centrum, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
1987-11-21 : Wembley Arena, London, England
1987-11-22 : Wembley Arena, London, England