There are those at this year's Glastonbury who've never heard of Roger Waters. There are others who've made the trip just to see this part of the former Pink Floyd bassist's 'In The Flesh' tour. Floyd's continued feud and Waters' stubborn ego, combine to ensure that his shows are always a greatest hits package and so the Floyd freaks are here, licking their lips.
Even the biggest indie kid in the land recognises 'Another Brick In The Wall' (cue looks of 'oh. so that's who he is' as the school choir kicks in on the chorus), while those of us in the know can't help but chuckle when the old stage master employs the in-field PA stacks to fire disconcerting sound effects of diving fighter plans and barking dogs at full volume in glorious surround-sound, terrifying some more delicate souls.
'Mother' reminds us that at the heart of classic Pink Floyd, lays some beautifully simple songs - Roger strumming a gentle acoustic here - while the inclusion of top of the range session guitarists Chester Kamen and Snowy White ensure that the full Floyd sound can be replicated when needed. Witness the white hot playing on the classic 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond' - what an opening, clanging riff, and only three notes.
'Dogs' concludes with more bafflement for the uninitiated as Roger and the band sit centre-stage and play poker, swigging vodka, while a keyboard interlude noodles away. Coldplay fans are now shaking their heads in disbelief - "they're playing bloody cards!" 'Wish You Were Here' picks up the thread as the rain starts but Roger, resembling a veteran Guy Richie
getaway driver, and the band are a compelling spectacle, even in this cut down version of their show.
The classic 'Money' kicks off some late evening, 'what the hell' boogie all around before we marvel at Snowy White's contribution on 'Comfortably Numb' and admit, in some cases begrudgingly, that the old guys can still entertain and surprise a crowd with a few long-forgotten tricks. If only Rod Stewart had been watching.
