If you describe punk as a movement — a musical way of expressing the frustration of the dispossessed — then Roger Waters, co-founder of Pink Floyd, is punk, and probably more punk rock now than current popular outfits that are self-styled punk rock. And that punk ethos was in display at the Capital One Arena recenlty when Waters and his band brought the This Is Not A Drill Tour to the nation’s capital.

Creating an immersive, in-the-round experience, Roger Waters’ set was both a journey back in time (most of the set included Pink Floyd tunes) and a mirror, reflecting the state of the world we live in, and doing it all in a way only Waters could pull off.

Leading to the opening of the truly psychedelic performance at Capital One Arena on Aug. 16, the sound of Waters’ voice echoed in the arena, “The show will start in five minutes” only to be followed a few minutes later by, ““If you’re one of those ‘I love Pink Floyd but I can’t stand Roger’s politics people,’ you might do well to fuck off to the bar right now” to a big applause from the crowd, many of whom were at least aware of his politics.

To the sound of thunder, screens arrayed in a cross in the middle of the venue came to life as the opening lines of “Comfortably Numb” played before the screens rose, revealing the band, facing all directions and Waters himself walking up from the audience toward the stage. It was one heck of an entrance as he pointed to the crowd before taking the mic on one of the four jutting stage arms.

Although most of the following set was heavy on Pink Floyd numbers, there was one new song that had not been released — titled “The Bar” — that as Waters told the audience, “is a very long song, as some in the audience can tell you, but this is just a tiny bit of it.” The song itself is, as he described, about a woman living in a cardboard box who is helped by a Lakota Sioux woman into “the bar” where we, who are the people at the bar, look after her. It was a beautiful moment, and, for me, a song that highlighted many of the themes of Roger Waters’ body of work — “that we have to look after one another rather than scrapping for the last fucking dollar” — and something I can’t wait to hear in its final form.

Say what you will about politics, when it comes down to putting on a grand show whilst making you think there are few performers who can do it without feeling contrived. You can’t make the kind of art that Waters makes without being true to one’s self. This isn’t a passing fad, this is Roger Waters — from “Pigs” to “The Bravery of Being Out of Range,” the foundation of these songs have been laid with a deep sense of a moral reckoning.

Part of the set did more than touch on relationships of the past, particularly Syd Barrett, through songs like “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” and stories displayed on the massive screens. And there were visual collages that illustrated many of the songs, but some of the biggest moments came after the brief intermission between sets, as many came back to their seats to the stage set up like scenes from “The Wall,” as a floating pig with glowing eyes hovered around the arena.

Waters, returning to the stage, in full costume, accompanied by storm troopers to deliver “In The Flesh” and “Run Like Hell” from The Wall.

Watch the Roger Waters This Is Not A Drill Tour announcement on YouTube:

Throughout the evening, Waters went from one side to another, playing guitar, bass, and at times some piano, making an experience where everyone was given a chance to witness the show. I doubt there was a bad spot in the entire place as members of the band — guitar, saxophone, singers — make their ways down each stage. I can honestly say that I’ve not seen quite a show like this one. And it was a show that, as Roger Waters was thanking the 140 people, in addition to the band, that put together the road crew. And, as he told the crowd, that’s not including the 120 people from Capital One Arena who staffed the event.

Other highlights — and there were many! — included “Money” and a brilliant “Eclipse” with laser-framed sections of the stage that went down the length of the arena. It was certainly one of the best shows of the year by far.

Roger Waters continues his tour through the US, and it’s one not to miss.

The setlist:

Comfortably Numb
The Happiest Days of Our Lives
Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2
Another Brick in the Wall, Part 3
The Powers That Be
The Bravery of Being Out of Range
The Bar
Have a Cigar
Wish You Were Here
Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Parts VI-IX)
Sheep

INTERMISSION

Set 2:
In the Flesh
Run Like Hell
Déjà Vu
Déjà Vu (Reprise)
Is This the Life We Really Want?
Money
Us and Them
Any Colour You Like
Brain Damage
Eclipse
Two Suns in the Sunset
The Bar (Reprise)
Outside the Wall

Here are more photos of Roger Waters performing at the Capital One Arena on Aug. 16, 2022. All photos copyright and courtesy of David LaMason.