By Jack Arnhold, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Roger Waters is returning to Rio de Janeiro this Wednesday, October 24th to play the iconic Maracanã Stadium, after last visiting the Cidade Maravilhosa for a performance of ‘The Wall’ back in 2012.
Fresh from playing in Belo Horizonte, Waters arrives in Rio de Janeiro after causing some controversy for his outspoken opposition to far-right presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro.
During his show in São Paulo, Waters split the crowd by projecting a list of politicians under the title ‘Neo-Fascism is on the rise.’ Listed below ‘In the USA – Trump’ and ‘In the UK – Farage’ was written ‘In Brazil – Bolsonaro,’ which promoted both cheers and boos from the crowd.
However, during his most recent show in Belo Horizonte, where Bolsonaro’s name should have appeared on the same projected list, it was instead replaced by the phrase ‘Ponto de Vista político censurado’ (Censored political point of view).
Waters’ shows are always known for their political engagement and controversy, with his song ‘Pigs’ currently being accompanied by pictures of U.S. president Donald Trump. Not to mention, The Wall.
As fans know, The Wall was Roger Waters’ iconic accomplishment with Pink Floyd, the band’s eleventh studio effort released as a double album on November 30, 1979
In a rock opera fashion, it documented the rise and fall of a fictitious rock star (named Pink Floyd), based on Waters’ own experiences and characters he perceived.
The groundbreaking concept album was genre-bending hit, topping the Billboard album chart for fifteen weeks in 1980. It also marked the last time Waters and Gilmour would work together as equal partners.
A film adaptation, Pink Floyd – The Wall, was released in July 1982. It was written by Waters and directed by Alan Parker, with Bob Geldof as Pink.
Fans of the music can look forward to hearing such classics as ‘Another Brick in the Wall,’ ‘Speak to Me,’ ‘Breathe,’ and ‘Wish You Were Here,’ alongside new compositions by Waters, such as ‘Déja Vu’ and ‘The Last Refugee.’
What: Roger Waters
When: Wednesday, October 24th, 9PM
Where: Maracanã Stadium, Rua Prof. Eurico Rabelo, s/ nº, Norte 20271-150
Entrance: R$110-R$720; available here