Roger Waters Tour 2023 – This Is Not A Drill
Roger Waters, the legendary co-founder and bassist of Pink Floyd, is embarking on a tour that will take him to 24 cities in Europe from March to June 2023. The tour is called “This Is Not a Drill” and promises to be a spectacular event for Pink Floyd and Roger Waters fans alike. In this blog post, we will provide you with everything you need to know about the Roger Waters tour, including the tour dates and venues, what to expect from the show, and how to get tickets. We will also look who is in the band.
Tour Dates and Venues
The Roger Waters tour will kick off in Lisbon, Portugal, on March 17, 2023, and will conclude in Manchester, England, on June 10, 2023. In between, Waters will perform in major cities across Europe, including Barcelona, Madrid, Milan, Amsterdam, Oslo, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Budapest, Zurich, Paris, Hamburg, Cologne, Lille, Antwerp, Berlin, Munich, Prague, Birmingham, Glasgow, London, and Manchester.
See full list of upcoming concerts by Roger Waters, Nick Mason and perhaps David Gilmour at some point
Here is the complete list of tour dates and venues:
March 2023 – 4 cities
2023-03-17 : Roger Waters at Altice Arena, Lisbon, Portugal
2023-03-18 : Roger Waters at Altice Arena, Lisbon, Portugal
2023-03-21 : Roger Waters at Palau Saint Jordi, Barcelona, Spain
2023-03-23 : Roger Waters at Wiznik Centre, Madrid, Spain
2023-03-24 : Roger Waters at Wiznik Centre, Madrid, Spain
2023-03-27 : Roger Waters at Mediolanum Forum, Milan, Italy
2023-03-28 : Roger Waters at Mediolanum Forum, Milan, Italy
2023-03-31 : Roger Waters at Mediolanum Forum, Milan, Italy
April 2023 – 8 cities
2023-04-01 : Roger Waters at Mediolanum Forum, Milan, Italy
2023-04-04 : Roger Waters at Ziggo Dome, Amsterdam, Netherlands
2023-04-06 : Roger Waters at Ziggo Dome, Amsterdam, Netherlands
2023-04-07 : Roger Waters at Ziggo Dome, Amsterdam, Netherlands
2023-04-11 : Roger Waters at Telenor, Oslo, Norway
2023-04-12 : Roger Waters at Telenor, Oslo, Norway
2023-04-15 : Roger Waters at Tele2 Arena, Stockholm, Sweden
2023-04-17 : Roger Waters at Royal Arena Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
2023-04-18 : Roger Waters at Royal Arena Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
2023-04-21 : Roger Waters at Unipol Arena (Bologna), Bologna, Italy
2023-04-23 : Roger Waters at MVM Dome, Budapest, Hungary
2023-04-25 : Roger Waters at Hallenstadion, Zurich, Switzerland
2023-04-28 : Roger Waters at Unipol Arena (Bologna), Bologna, Italy
2023-04-29 : Roger Waters at Unipol Arena (Bologna), Bologna, Italy
May 2023 – 10 cities
2023-05-03 : Roger Waters at Accor Arena, Paris, France
2023-05-04 : Roger Waters at Accor Arena, Paris, France
2023-05-07 : Roger Waters at Barclays Arena (Hamburg), Hamburg, Germany
2023-05-09 : Roger Waters at Lanxess Arena, Cologne, Germany
2023-05-12 : Roger Waters at Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille, France
2023-05-14 : Roger Waters at Sportpaleis (Belgium), Antwerp, Belgium
2023-05-17 : Roger Waters at Mercedes Benz Arena, Berlin, Germany
2023-05-18 : Roger Waters at Mercedes Benz Arena, Berlin, Germany
2023-05-21 : Roger Waters at Olympiahalle, Munich, Germany
2023-05-24 : Roger Waters at O2 Arena (Prague), Prague, Czech Republic
2023-05-25 : Roger Waters at O2 Arena (Prague), Prague, Czech Republic
2023-05-28 : Roger Waters at Festhalle, Frankfurt, Germany (probably cancelled)
2023-05-31 : Roger Waters at Utilita Arena (Birmingham), Birmingham, England
June 2023 – 3 cities
2023-06-02 : Roger Waters at Ovo Hydro (Glasgow), Glasgow, Scotland
2023-06-03 : Roger Waters at Ovo Hydro (Glasgow), Glasgow, Scotland
2023-06-06 : Roger Waters at O2 Arena (London), London, England
2023-06-07 : Roger Waters at O2 Arena (London), London, England
2023-06-10 : Roger Waters at Manchester Evening News Arena, Manchester, England
What to Expect from the Show
Roger Waters is known for his spectacular live performances, and “This Is Not a Drill” promises to be no exception. The show will feature a mix of Pink Floyd classics, including “Another Brick in the Wall,” “Wish You Were Here,” and “Comfortably Numb,” as well as tracks from Waters’ solo albums, such as “Amused to Death” and “Is This the Life We Really Want?”
The show will also feature state-of-the-art production, including a massive 360-degree surround sound system and a new visual production. Waters has promised that the show will address contemporary issues, including climate change, social justice, and human rights.
How to Get Tickets
Tickets for the Roger Waters tour are available for purchase through the official tour website, rogerwaters.com. Fans can also purchase tickets through authorized ticketing partners such as Ticketmaster.
Ticket prices vary depending on the venue and seat location, but typically range from around €60 to €200. VIP packages, which include premium seats and exclusive merchandise, are also available for purchase.
As with any popular event, tickets are likely to sell out quickly, so it’s important to act fast if you want to secure your spot at the show.
Roger Waters Tour Band for 2023
Roger Waters – Bass Guitar / Guitars / Vocals
Jon Carin – Keyboards / Guitars / Vocals
Robert Walter – Organ
Jonathan Wilson – Guitars / Vocals
Gus Seyffert – Bass Guitar / Guitar
Dave Kilminster – Guitar / Vocals
Joey Waronker – Drums / Percussion
Seamus Blake – Saxophone
Amanda Belair – Vocals
Shanay Johnson – Vocals
Concert Cancellations
Roger Waters has had concerts cancelled in Poland and Germany due to his views on Israel and the war in Ukraine. Rogers other tour dates in Germany are under threat. More on that here.
Roger Waters Previous Tours
“The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking Tour” (1984-1985): This was Waters’ first solo tour, in support of his debut album “The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking.” The tour featured a mix of solo material and Pink Floyd songs, and included elaborate stage designs and theatrical elements.
“Radio K.A.O.S. Tour” (1987): This tour was in support of Waters’ second solo album, “Radio K.A.O.S.” The tour featured a complex narrative and theatrical elements, including large puppets and projected video. K.A.O.S. On the Road was a concert tour by Roger Waters in 1987, in support of his album Radio K.A.O.S. The shows featured songs from the album, as well as popular Pink Floyd albums, such as The Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, and The Wall. The tour began in North America in August 1987 and ended in London, England in November 1987. The show featured circular screens, quadrophonic sounds, back projections, and introductions by radio DJ Jim Ladd. The Bleeding Heart Band was established for the tour, with female backing vocalists taking a more prominent role, Paul Carrack singing David Gilmour’s parts in a “blue-eyed soul” style, funk-style bass playing from Andy Fairweather-Low, and saxophone solos added to songs like “Welcome to the Machine”. The tour band consisted of various musicians, including Andy Fairweather-Low, Jay Stapley, Paul Carrack, Graham Broad, and more. The setlist included “Radio Waves”, “Money”, “Mother”, “The Tide Is Turning”, and other songs. The tour ended with “Breathe”, “Brain Damage”, and “Eclipse”.
“In the Flesh Tour” (1999-2002): In the Flesh was a series of three concert tours by Roger Waters that spanned from 1999 to 2002. After a 12-year hiatus from touring, the shows featured Waters’ best-known work from his days with Pink Floyd, as well as songs from his recently released solo album, Amused to Death. The tour’s name was a reference to Pink Floyd’s 1977 Animals tour and two songs on The Wall album. Despite uncertainty from promoters about how well the tour would sell, it was a financial success in the United States, grossing $6.7 million from 21 shows in 1999 alone. The tour coincided with the release of Pink Floyd’s Is There Anybody Out There? The Wall Live 1980–81 in 2000. The third year of the tour stretched across the world and included two completely new songs. A performance in Portland, Oregon was later released as the primary source for the CD and DVD In the Flesh – Live, and other shows were also filmed for the release.
“The Dark Side of the Moon Live” (2006-2008): This tour saw Waters performing Pink Floyd’s classic album “The Dark Side of the Moon” in its entirety, as well as other Pink Floyd hits. The tour featured an elaborate stage show with projections, laser lights, and a giant inflatable pig. The Dark Side of the Moon Live was a two-year worldwide concert tour by Roger Waters, where he and his band performed Pink Floyd’s iconic album, The Dark Side of the Moon, in its entirety at each show. The tour featured elaborate stage design, including giant puppets, large video screens, and a 360° quadraphonic sound system, by Mark Fisher, the architect of Pink Floyd’s The Wall shows. The performances were divided into two sets: the first consisting of Pink Floyd material and Roger’s solo career songs, and the second being The Dark Side of the Moon in its entirety, followed by encores. Pink Floyd’s iconic pig was also used extensively throughout the tour, often carrying messages critical of the American government, Waters’ socialist views, and support for repressed Latin American populations. Waters retained much of the backing band from his 1999-2002 In the Flesh tours, including guitarists Snowy White and Andy Fairweather-Low, backing vocalists Katie Kissoon and P.P. Arnold, plus Graham Broad on drums. Waters’ former Pink Floyd bandmate, Nick Mason, also joined him on drums for some shows. The tour band for 2008 saw a small personnel change, with Chester Kamen replacing Andy Fairweather-Low on guitars, bass and backing vocals and Sylvia Mason-James replacing Katie Kissoon on backing vocals.
“The Wall Live” (2010-2013): The Wall Live was a concert tour by Roger Waters, the former member of Pink Floyd, where he performed the Pink Floyd album The Wall in its entirety. The tour began in 2010 in North America and continued in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and South America until 2013. The first leg of the tour grossed over $89.5 million, making it the second-highest-grossing concert tour in North America and the third-highest worldwide as of 2013. Snowy White and Dave Kilminster were among the first musicians confirmed to be in Waters’s touring band, and David Gilmour and Nick Mason of Pink Floyd made guest appearances at select shows. Waters incorporated an anti-war message into the show and requested fans to send him pictures of loved ones who have died in wars. The tour band included musicians such as G. E. Smith, Graham Broad, Jon Carin, and Harry Waters. Waters directed a documentary about the tour titled Roger Waters: The Wall, which premiered in 2014.
“Us + Them Tour” (2017-2018): Roger Waters’ Us + Them Tour was a concert tour that spanned multiple countries from 2017 to 2018. The tour showcased songs from Waters’ career with Pink Floyd and his 2017 album Is This the Life We Really Want? The tour opened in May 2017 in Kansas City and ended in December 2018 in Monterrey, Mexico. The tour featured a band consisting of various musicians, including Dave Kilminster, Jon Carin, Gus Seyffert, and more. The tour grossed over $25 million in North America and was praised for its setlist, visuals, and technology. One portion of the show featured anti-Donald Trump imagery, leading to criticism from some attendees. Waters also faced backlash and boycotts due to his anti-Israel boycott, with some lawmakers attempting to cancel his shows. The Amsterdam shows were filmed for Roger Waters: Us + Them, which was premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2019. A live album was released in October 2020.
“This Is Not A Drill Tour” (2022-2023): Roger Waters’ “This Is Not a Drill” tour is the seventh concert tour by the English songwriter. Originally planned for July-October 2020, the tour was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and is now set to occur in 2022-2023. The tour commenced on July 6, 2022 at the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, USA, and is scheduled to finish on June 10, 2023, at the AO Arena in Manchester. Waters first mentioned the tour in a September 2019 Rolling Stone interview, following his Us + Them Tour. In 2021, he referred to the show as his “first farewell tour”. The Bar, a new song from Roger Waters forthcoming new album, was played on this tour in 2022.
Is This Roger Waters Final Tour?
Roger has referred to his tour as the First Ever Farewell Tour. He is, of course, just playing around.
Several musicians and bands have famously done several farewell tours throughout their careers. Here are a few examples:
- Cher – Cher has embarked on several farewell tours throughout her career, including the “Living Proof: The Farewell Tour” in 2002-2005 and the “Dressed to Kill Tour” in 2014. However, she has since announced new tours and continues to perform.
- Kiss – Kiss embarked on their first farewell tour in 2000, which was meant to be their last tour ever. However, they have since gone on multiple farewell tours, including the “End of the Road World Tour” which began in 2019 and is set to conclude in 2023.
- Elton John – Elton John announced his “Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour” in 2018, which is set to be his final tour ever. The tour began in 2018 and is set to conclude in 2023.
- Ozzy Osbourne – Ozzy Osbourne embarked on his “No More Tours” tour in 1992, which was meant to be his final tour. However, he has since gone on multiple farewell tours, including the “No More Tours 2” tour which began in 2018 and was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
These are just a few examples of musicians and bands who have famously done multiple farewell tours throughout their careers.
