** SPOILER ALERT: This story features a selection of highlights from opening night…it’s your call on whether or not you choose to view the videos.
It was opening night of The Wall Live tour – the night Pink Floyd fans have been waiting for.
Last night, Roger Waters brought his massive stage production to a sold-out Air Canada Centre – the first time he’s played the concept album live, in its entirety, since 1990.
Before the show started, a homeless man wandered through the crowd, pushing a shopping cart with a sign that read “We Don’t Need No Thought Control,” a line from “Another Brick In The Wall.” Security followed him through the floor area before he was ushered out.
Roger Waters – pre-show protest
Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON – September 15, 2010
Many of the props and special effects from Floyd’s 1980/81 tour were on hand and, like the original concerts, the first half of the evening was spent building The Wall across the front of the stage.
Roger Waters - In the Flesh (Live) - In the Flesh (Live) Roger Waters – In The Flesh
Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON – September 15, 2010
Early on, Waters had some local help with some special backup singers on “Another Brick In The Wall, Part 2”; 25 kids (ages 10 to 15) - from the Regent Park School Of Music joined the production.
Roger Waters - Another Brick In the Wall, Pt. 2 (Live) - In the Flesh (Live) Roger Waters – Another Brick In the Wall, Part 2
Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON – September 15, 2010
The second half of the show began with Waters and his band playing behind The Wall, kicking off with the first song on disc 2/side 3 of the album, “Hey You” – from there, it wasn’t long before they played the classic, “Comfortably Numb.”
Roger Waters - Comfortably Numb (Live) - In the Flesh (Live) Roger Waters – Comfortably Numb
Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON – September 15, 2010
As the show reached its climax, to huge applause (and no one’s surprise), The Wall came tumbling down following “The Trial.”
Pink Floyd - The Trial (Live) - Is There Anybody Out There? - The Wall Live 1980-81 Roger Waters – The Trial
Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON – September 15, 2010
Many early post-show fan reviews – via Facebook and Twitter – were raves, with many calling it “the best show I have ever seen.”
Waters plays the ACC in Toronto again tonight and Saturday, before heading to Chicago for four shows at the United Center next week.
For more on the tour, check out:
Behind The Wall with Roger Waters - part 1
Behind The Wall with Roger Waters - part 2
Roger Waters launches The Wall Live tonight
