Tweeter Center

Ticket scan thanks to Keith Wiehrs

Capacity: 25,000
Concert starts: 8pm

Address of venue: 885 South Main Street Mansfield, MA, 02048-3148. MAP

Website: info.tweeter.com/tweetercenter

Whilst the venue is called the Tweeter Center Boston, it is actually situated in Mansfield, which is about 40 minutes southwest of Boston.

The first of two nights at the Tweeter, near Boston, saw a happier crowd than faced the then birthday boy on the first date of his North American tour. Thankfully no sign of the boos and catcalls that Roger experienced at the PNC during Leaving Beirut - that was helped, no doubt, by the three military bases which were within spitting distance of the Holmdel venue.

Also, this second show revealed either that elements of Roger's road crew are clumsy, or that the inflatable pig (this time with graffiti on it!) is meant to soar to the heavens, heading for the dark side of the moon itself! The setlist was unchanged, looking like it is cast in stone for the rest of the tour. Could we see the odd, spontaneous song or position change in an upcoming show? You know where you'll find the answers! Right here...

The second show at the venue gave more of the same - pretty much same audience reaction, and another pig ascending to the heavens... obviously a feature of each show to come on the US tour.

Next stop is Madison Square Garden from Tuesday - if you are going, have a great time and tell us all about it!

PRESS REVIEWS

There have been reviews of the concert published (through these links at) the Boston Globe, the Phoenix, and at the the Boston Herald.

Picture thanks to William Ashman

SHOW REVIEW - SEPT 8th

By BD contributor, Stephen Humphries

There was no KAOS, but plenty of chaos at the first Roger Waters show at the Tweeter Center outside Boston. There was that inflatable pig, unveiled during "Sheep," with graffiti exhorting concertgoers to avoid being "led to the slaughter by voting Democrat on Nov. 2." And that was after Roger had just finished just excorciating George W. in the lyrics of his new song, "Beirut." Oh yeah, and the helium-filled pig got away from it's handlers, taking off into the night sky of the open-air theater. It was last seen heading Westward toward the dark side of the full moon overhead as "Sheep" came to a thrilling climax.

I had wondered whether the pig's escape was an accident but it now appears that this is very much a planned feature of the show. The tour budget for these unique, plastic, custom-made "Vote Democrat" billboards is either rather large, or some poor roadie is having to play fetch when the thing eventually deflates. I wonder how many reports of UFO sightings the flying pig has caused...And here's another random thought: Why not an inflatable sheep during "Sheep"? I hear they're widely available at sex shops in the outer Hebrides. (Badaboom!)

But I'm getting ahead of myself. Roger took to the stage at 8:20, starting out with "In The Flesh," and he immediately reminded the crowd of what a commanding frontman he is. In marked contrast to David Gilmour's very stoic, fairly expressionless demeanor during the incredible "On An Island" show I saw in New York earlier this year, Roger's had a facial expression for every line. ("Mother, should I trust the government?" Roger answered his own line by shaking his head and offering up a wolfish, mischievous wink and grin, which the crowd loved.) Roger wielded that large bass of his like a battle axe, swinging it in with a dramatic arc during explosive moments in the music. Must say that Waters looks more and more regal, and even handsome, with age. Hasn't lost any vigor, either.

"Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun" was an early highlight with a sensational, abrasive guitar solo by Snowy White. In addition to archival footage of Syd Barrett, the movie screen backdrop on the stage screened psychedelic fluid shapes that are a throwback to the light shows that the Floyd employed during the late 1960s. (Check out Nick Mason's "Inside Out" for a detailed account of how the band created it's innovative projector show way back then.) "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" continued the Syd tribute (more pics of him) and was quite different from the superb rearrangement that Gilmour played on his tour. On Roger's "In the Flesh" live album, the four note guitar refrain at the beginning of the song was played fairly quickly -- I much preferred how Snowy White teased out each note tonight, letting each note ring out, just like the original and Gilmour's subsequent versions. A great version tonight. Ditto "Have a Cigar" and 'Wish You Were Here." This being a slightly older crowd than the audience at a concert for, say, a Coldplay concert, there were thousands of lighters held aloft rather than cellphones during this song. Huge numbers of teens, too, though, as Pink Floyd -- like Led Zeppelin -- remains a rite of passage for millions of adolescent males.

The crowd became a little more restless when Waters reopened the Final Cut with "Southampton Dock." I must admit that the references to Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan felt anachronistic and dated during "The Fletcher Memorial Home." But just when I thought Roger had lost touch with the current moment, he launched into "Perfect Sense, Pt, 1 and 2." Lyrics such as "And the Jews killed the Arabs/And the Arabs killed the hostages/And that is the news" suddenly felt relevant again. The lyric about "the president is a fool" was just a warmup for "Beirut," a song about how Waters had been kindly taken in by an Arab family when he was hitchhiking through the region back in 1961. It's not, alas, a particularly memorable melody, but the lyrics don't pull any punches as they take on president Bush directly. I didn't take offense at the lyrics, though a few lines are rather clumsy, as I oppose the war and I'm a libertarian rather than a Republican or Democrat. The song went down fairly well in this most liberal of states, but Waters may have to hire an extra ring of security around the stage if he ever plans to take this show to Texas.

"Sheep" was a delight. Though it was great to experience David Gilmour's blistering version of "Echoes" -- an experience I'll never forget -- as well as renditions of obscure Floyd songs such as "Wots, uh, the Deal," I wished that he had delved into the "Animals" album on his recent tour, as well as on past Floyd shows. I've always felt that the album contains some of his finest guitar moments. So hearing "Sheep" was one of the evening's highlights for me, even though this version seemed to have less guitar soloing than the original. (I could be wrong in thinking that, but my attention was distracted by that flying pig!) An outstanding first half to the show with great stage craft that included all manner of pyrotechnics and fireworks. There were great back-screen videos such as the submarine inside a sports stadium during "Perfect Sense," and, ahem, footage of "a nice pair" during "Mother." Loved the astronaut that floated above the audience at one point!

Dare I say that "The Dark Side of the Moon" wasn't quite as effective as the best moments of the first part of the show? It was a treat to hear it in its entirety for the first time since the 1994 "Division Bell" tour, and it was performed beautifully, but those who have watched "Pulse" will surely agree that the other three did it much better. Though Roger was a creator of "Dark Side of the Moon," he was largely reduced to the role of a sideman, holding down the bass playing, during this part of the show as he doesn't sing on the original record all that much. The band did an admirable job of filling in for Gilmour's vocals, with Dave Kilminster doing a great job singing "Money."

Wish I could be as enthused about Kilminster's guitarwork. He's a serviceable, competent player but he's a little sloppy and he doesn't have much control over his vibrato and wide bends -- surely a prerequisite for Pink Floyd songs! (Perhaps Roger Waters could hire Gary Moore or Jeff Beck next time?) The difference between Kilminster -- who, oddly, got the lion's share of guitar solos during the concert -- and Snowy White was hugely apparent whenever Snowy stepped forward with his Les Paul. Not only does the ex-Thin Lizzy bluesman have a rich, full-bodied tone, but his improvizational work and fluidity was a few leagues above Kilminster's workmanlike axework. (I really must dig out Snowy's "Highway to the Sun" album again...)

Here's what I love about Roger Waters's versions of the Pink Floyd songs on "In the Flesh": Instead of trying to ape Gilmour's distinctive sound, Snowy White and Doyle Bramhall III did a lot of improvizing and complemented each others playing by trading solos back and forth. It made the material seem utterly fresh. Alas, there wasn't as much of that inventiveness and collaboration at tonight's show as Kilminster remained more faithful to the script of the original records. Ah,I'm starting to sound like a nitpicking grouch -- it was still incredible stuff and I was swooning throughout.

While I'm mentioning the band, I must salute Graham Broad on the drums: His sound was crisp and groovy all nght and the crowd loved the way that he turned the percussion intro to "Time" into a mini drum solo of sorts. Jon Carin, who toured with Gilmour earlier this year, was outstanding on keys, vox, and even guitar. Andy Fairweather Low is a respected guitarist (Eric Clapton's sideman of choice when he tours) and did some nice lead guitar during "Beirut." And the three backing vocalists -- Katie Kissoon, PP Arnold, and Carol Kenyon are deservedly well-known singers in their own right.

I felt that Roger was on my firmer ground once he returned to the Floyd work that he is best know for: "The Wall." "The Happiest Days Of Our Lives," "Another Brick In The Wall (Pt 2)," "Vera," "Bring the Boys back Home" made for a fabulous encore with the crowd singing along to every work and miming out every glorious guitar solo. The show ended, of course, with "Comfortably Numb." It couldn't compare to the absolutely astonishing version that Gilmour played at his show this year (with a solo so good that it made even the Live 8 version seem dull) but Roger sang it much better than he did at Live 8 and the two guitarists swapped turns at the solo at the end, which was shorter than other versions of the song. In all, a triumph of a show for Roger Waters. Now let's hope he gets back the studio soon to record "Beirut" and other tracks -- after all, that song isn't going to see as relevant when Bush is out of office!

Pigs, each night with a message... thanks to Quincy Vagell and Sophie Griswold

SHOW REVIEW - SEPT 8th

By BD contributor, Tom Cattaneo

Just got in from the show and the man offically still has it. He rocked out and sounded awesome - I was so suprised I truly didn't expect him to put the show on that he did. The girl singing great gig in the sky nailed it!

Setlist was the same it's been, and the quadrophonic sound system which was turned on for Dark Side of The Moon was amazing!

Flawless performance by the band, no-one booed during leaving beiruit as previously stated (possibly because the show was in Kennedy Land AKA Massachusetts). The video screens were an awesome touch to the music, saying how the only thing missing was lasers.

Roger looked and especially sounded really suprisingly great! I'm so glad I got tickets to both nights now, this was quite the retro Floyd experience!

SHOW REVIEW - SEPT 8th

By BD contributor, Ian Currie

An insane amount of traffic resulted in me missing the first two songs, but I can say that the rest of the concert was extremely enjoyable. Roger was in fine form. He sang much better than he did at Live8 and the band was great. I was happy to see Dave Kilminster on guitar (since much of my own playing is attributed to him) and while I usually enjoy Snowy White, I found him uninspired this time.

Highlights for me were: Perfect Sense, Leaving Beirut, Shine On You Crazy Diamond, Bring the Boys Back Home. Leaving Beirut is controversial, but I thought the song (and the video presentation with the lyrics) was clever.

I also didn’t enjoy DSOTM as much as the other stuff (but certainly nothing was bad). While Jon Carin (keyboard player) usually does a good job with David Gilmour’s vocals, I was disappointed with his singing this time – especially on Us & Them. I did enjoy Money a great deal – Dave K’s vocals were great.

While Roger’s shows was much more like Pink Floyd than Dave Gilmour’s recent tour, I did miss Dave’s guitar playing – much more so than I did on Roger’s last tour. The best guitar playing of the night actually came from Andy Fairweather-Low (who is usually in the background switching between guitar and bass) when he did the awesome Mark Knopfler-esque solo on Leaving Beirut!

SHOW REVIEW - SEPT 8th

By BD contributor, Colleen

The show exceeded expectations. Under a full moon in open air seats, we were amazed!

I had seen the Dark Side of the Moon tour in 73’ in Boston, and couldn’t miss this one. It was well worth the 400+ mile trip. I urge anyone that can get a hold of tickets for upcoming shows in the US and Canada, to do so. You won’t be disappointed.

Roger was awesome. All of the band members were great. The drummer was unbelievable. The sound quality was amazing! The collective consciousness of the audience was palpable, especially during the encore when all 25,000 sang together.

And yes, the pig was cool. I loved how the spotlight followed it for as long as possible. I wonder whose yard it landed in?

SHOW REVIEW - SEPT 8th

By BD contributor, John Altieri

Well, if Roger is lip syncing he fooled me. We had the best seats in the house front row center!!!

Roger was very animated during the entire show. He strolled from side to side during the songs he did not sing. Yes, he shook his head during “Mother... After the line should I trust the government?” He mouthed “fuck no”...

The sound!! It was just incredible. It was not too loud just perfect!!! The band was awesome.

SHOW REVIEW - SEPT 8th

By BD contributor, Mark LaPointe

Wow.

Just when I thought I'd seen the best of Roger, he comes out in 2006 and blows me and everyone else away with an OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE on September the 8th in Mansfield, Massachusetts.

I've been lucky enough to see him on every tour dating back to 1984, and I have to say this show ranks up with the Clapton "Pros and Cons.." shows. I know some of you will scoff at that comparison for numerous reasons but, the warmth from this show is still inside me so I might not yet be back to my senses.

The only negative thing I can review about the show was starting out with "In the Flesh". Makes sense on paper and it gets the crowd going but, he's done that before. I would have preferred "The Ballad of Bill Hubbard", especially since that's what the evening was really about--a meditation on war and the disconnect it creates. That's why I'm glad the Thatchers and Reagans are mentioned in FMH; every generation needs a reminder.

The remainder of the evening was blissful to say the least. Everything from the live radio, whisky glass, cig and listener in the back drop to the pig flying off towards the moon during "Sheep" was simply memorable and surreal. Roger really pick out a quality first set. I'm glad he ditched "In every Strangers Eyes" this time; I've heard that enough; plus, only Clapton can do justice to it.

Most importantly, Roger's voice sounded fantastic and he looks great at 63!

For the sake of brevity, here's ten things that come to mind.

1. Andy Fairweather-Low's stylish guitar ending on "Have a Cigar". Just beautiful. Thank you Andy!
2. The visuals were better--compared to the last tour. Though it will never match Pros and Cons (I think he had a bigger budget back then)
3. Sheep. Powerful; I have a new appreciation for that song
4. Beirut gave me Goosebumps. He rang out the lyrics with such heart and emotion
5. Hearing "Vera Lynn" and "Bring the Boys back Home" for the first time (since I never saw "The Wall" live--boo hoo, hoo)
6. Fletcher Memorial Home. I was glad that he didn't do it just acoustically. The guitar solo adds to that song.
7. Graham Broad. Man, doesn't he hold everything together nicely. An unsung hero in my opinion
8. The "Great Gig in the Sky". Nice job Harry!
9. Hearing "Any Colour You Like" lead into "Brain Damage" for the first time (don't believe he's ever played that combo solo before)
10. Bringing friends that have never seen Roger before and see their reactions. KAOS aside, Roger has never failed to impress me.

SHOW REVIEW - SEPT 8th and 9th

By BD contributor, John Shack

It was a GREAT concert, crowd was a bit older than I expected, and very well-behaved, very quiet during the right moments. Packed again, I would say at least 23,000.

Leaving Beirut produced a few boos, many more cheers. (Massachusetts will be the friendliest Roger-state on this tour, this is not a concert that would go over well in the southern U.S.) My friends were asking about the possibility of a DVD, pass the word on please!

SHOW REVIEW - SEPT 9th

By BD contributor, William Ashman

To keep this brief, I am huge fan that had some nice seats 1st row stage right. I cannot believe they allow digital cameras in these venues like they do now...

Here's some highlights:

• The pig flew once more into the nite sky..."Impeach BUSH"
• The astronaut was powered this time, no cords holding him unlike Fridays show
• The large widescreen appears newer on the US tour
• It appears to me to be one hell of a huge LCD Screen unlike earlier Projections. NICE!

Roger thank you for great nites! Well worth the extra cash on tickets this tour.

Picture thanks to William Ashman

SHOW REVIEW - SEPT 9th

By BD contributor, Robynne Wildman Cote

Saw Roger at the Tweeter Center in Mansfield, MA, started at 8:18pm. The show was EXCELLENT! Every song was fun for Roger, for his bandmates, for us. Fabulous job by everyone in the band, but special kudos to the ladies. As always they knocked me out with their power, passion and great F***kin pipes! Damn they are fantastic.

"Set the Controls to the Heart of the Sun" was well done. Most of the crowd where I was were swaying in their seats until about the middle of the first set. When "Wish You Were Here" started everyone got on their feet and the lighters came out all over the place.

No problem with Roger's political views tonight, as "Perfect Sense" and "Leaving Beirut" were played brilliantly, sung brilliantly and met with cheers.

If you have read other reviews you've read about the Pig as "Sheep" ends. It's all true and I just loved it!

Dark Side of the Moon in its entirety was a dream come true. I had the goofiest smile on my face the whole time I wasn't singing along. Which the whole place was doing.

The encores were as good as ever. Loved ending with "Comfortably Numb", and yes I was by that point. Thankfully, I wasn't driving. All in all an absolutely wonderful time was had by everyone I saw and heard on the way out and while in the midst of it all.

I haven't missed one tour since 1985, I'm glad I saw this one too and I'm looking forward to the next one. Keep Rocking Roger. Thanks.

SHOW REVIEW - SEPT 9th

By BD contributor, Jim Price

My 5th Roger Waters show since 1999 (just to the right of the soundboard) was met with high anticipation and was well rewarded with a stunning visual and sound clarity unmatched by any other band I have ever seen and that's with about 200 concerts under my belt. Zero distortion with my favorite Animals in the back round and all around. The visual video effects on the High Definition video (LCD?) screen were second to none!! Roger must be having a blast with the latest and greatest in technology these days. I am sure touring with his son Harry (sporting a major set of dreads!) is special for this Dad.

Highlights for me; Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun, Have A Cigar, Sheep ( the Animals album needs to be done in it's entirety) Perfect Sense, The Fletcher Memorial Home and of course the DSOTM Suite, etched in my brain like many multiple millions of people. The vintage Floyd pictures in black and white- most notably Roger Keith "Syd" Barrett brought many smiles. PP Arnold, Katy Kissoon and Carol Kenyon belting it out with a vocal range out in the stratosphere highlighted the true professionalism of Roger Waters with respect the the music- those were not lounge singers by any stretch of the imagination. Seeing Bush's name written across the Pigs Ass made me howl and the Pig was quite close to me at one point.

Often in reviews people "complain" if you will about certain aspects of the show which seemingly are often trivial and mundane. I failed to see anyone last night not enjoying (booing) the show even with the brilliant political "message" weaved seamlessly into the set. If I had to pick one thing I would have liked more it would be to see more of Amused to Death songs played, in fact it's a shame this album never got to tour.

All in all this Brick in the Wall is longing for the official return of The Pink Floyd. The Wall must be done again for the millions and millions of fans who never got to see it. Roger's stunning performance last night at 63 years old was very special and only solidified my longing for the return of The Pink Floyd even more.

It was a great show and I got to enjoy it with some good friends. Go see it!!

SHOW REVIEW - SEPT 9th

By BD contributor, Michael Wilson

I can’t say enough good things about the show or the Band for that matter. I’ve never had the opportunity to see Roger Waters before. I am amazed that at age 63 he can still belt them out. I read the newspaper reviews for the September 8th show. In no way shape or form do they describe how good the show was, nor do they give the band the credit it deserves.

The show was flawless, absolutely flawless, not a bad song selection. I can’t hop, skip, and jump around the country, so I don’t care that the set list is “the same as…”. I went with my friend John. He has seen Roger Waters four times previous to this. He said it’s the best show he’s seen them do.

We were in section 8 all the way to the left side of the venue. We could see the moon (which was full the night before) travel across the sky as the show went on. During Dark Side when the verse “the sun is eclipsed by the Moon”, everyone who knew it was there turned, and pointed up at it. It’s an evening I will never forget.

I like Roger’s politics. I am glad he gave the Arab family that took him in some thanks, and yes you know who’s education, you know where has really put the whole world in a very bad place. Regardless of what you want to say politically, you can’t deny the current state of affairs, has given the earth, and America a black eye. He’s not saying anything someone with half a brain doesn’t know. I’m glad he has the guts to stick by, and “speak” for some of us who feel the same way.

I have one complaint about the crowd, too many people yelling “sit down”, while it gave my feet a rest - it’s a rock concert…. Thanks, hope to see them again soon.

SHOW REVIEW - SEPT 9th

By BD contributor, T White

9/9 Boston show: Absolutely Brilliant!

Great Set List, well-played, trippy lights, awesome sound… Glad I was there! (Could we please have a Pink Floyd reunion?) Imagine if Gilmour's guitar solos were being played by Gilmour?!

SHOW REVIEW - SEPT 9th

By BD contributor, Rob Smith

I am seventeen my name is Rob Smith, (no relation to The Cure) and I am from Dudley Massachusetts, US. Pink Floyd has been my favorite band since i was about thirteen. Unfortunately I was born in the wrong decade and never got to see, or will get to see Pink Floyd even though I have seen a couple floyd tribute bands. I am not a light Floyd fan, I know a lot about them and I am not just saying that. Roger Waters is as close as I could get to Pink Floyd, and it was good enough for me. The show was the best thing I had ever seen. I recently went to a Robert Plant concert and it sucked. I honestly did not know what to expect at the Dark Side show, but now I would give a million dollars to see it again. It sounded almost as if they were all together again.