KEY POINTS:
Pink Floyd founder Roger Waters performed the other night in Auckland.
Critic Peter Griffin described it as "an unforgettable performance and the closest thing to a true Pink Floyd performance we younger fans are likely to witness."
Also visiting was guitar legend Eric Clapton who played to a sell-out crowd of 25,000 in Napier.
Did you go? What did you think of it??
Send us your views
>> Read the review
Here is the latest selection of your views:
Cleo
What a spectacular stimulating show! Everything was perfectly timed, the music, the lights, the visuals, the fireworks, the flying pig...just perfect. We were sitting so close you could feel the heat from the explosions going off on stage. The music was fantastic you could feel it pounding through every part of your body as it resounded around the stadium. An entirely captivated audience from start to finish definitely appreciated the talent on stage. Well worth the $400! What else can I say but another masterpiece for Roger Waters & his very talented band members. Great to see Graham, Snowy, Andy & Jon again, as well as the ladies with the massive voices singing backing vocals. I give it a 10 out of 10.
Floyd fan
What a fantastic night, Travelled 11 hours to get there! spent $1,200 for 2 night aways from home incl tickets, But to see my sons face when he saw Roger Waters was priceless. Being a huge fan myself and going along with my 17yr old son was magic. Would do it all again in a instant, Perfect night, perfect sound quality. Only gripe, Is the person who was sitting in front of me had a large head! so the view wasnt so great. Ended up in the corner of the stage standing on the barrier and had great view of Roger.
Michelle Keyte
Absolutely fantastically orgasmic concert. I have been a Pink Floyd fan since my early teens and have never managed to see a performance from this yet so this concert made my life and lived up to all expectations and I would go again in a flash. Roger Waters in fine form, enjoying the crowd participation. His apparent pleasure in performing these Pink Floyd (and his own) songs was evident for all to see and enjoy. Great back up band, excellent musicians in their own rights. Great line up of songs, couldn't have picked better myself. Particularly enjoyed Sheep and Southhampton Dock and Fletcher Memorial and of course entire Dark Side of Moon. Enjoyed Leaving Beirut. Timeless lyrics, immense political sentiment. Great crowd who had come to enjoy and listen and partake. Only one thing better...having Dave Gilmour and the rest of the gang there. Maybe next year....I think Waters is ready for it!
Tim
As a blues fan, I will always remember it as the night real music came to the Mission - no populist entertainment - just the blues, played by a master going back to his roots. Sensational.
Kathy Smith
What a disappointment at the Mission Concert - spent a horrible couple of hours penned in with thousands of drunks, most of whom cared nothing about enjoying Eric Claptons music. Mission Winery needs to review their policy of opening at 3 p.m. encouraging drunks and louts instead of those who appreciate the music. We want our money back. On the other hand, an absolutely fantastic performance at the Roger Waters Concert. Unforgettable.
Jon
The concert was amazing; the man had a great voice, the backing artists were very professional, although in the song Aanother brick in the wall one of the guitar players (suspect Snowy White as he was having a bad day at the office) came in early for the guitar part, but out of 10 I would give them a 15! the major highlight was the pink pig that was let off - imagine the airport fellas in Akld!!!
Mark Paterson
This was truly a brilliant show. Roger Waters, a fantastic support band, brilliant lighting and the best sound rig I have ever witnessed at a live show made for a very memorable concert. Hearing "Dark Side of the Moon" live under a starry, moonlit night put a fresh spin on an album that I must have listened to hundreds of times (despite the fact it came out 8 years before I was born). The rest of the show was equally impressive, with my only complaint being the absence of "One Of These Days" and "Hey You". Waters did remarkably well vocally and to be honest, the strength of Dave Kilminster, Andy Fairweather-Low and Snowy White suggested to me that Waters and this band performs Floyd better than the remainder of Floyd. Fantastic show.
Gavin Austin
Great concert - the best ever. Stunning sound, special effects, lighting and crowd. Pity about the transport after -no wonder we have such traffic issues in Auck. After last night never again will I rely on a Public Transport option. Public transport just does not work -two and a half hours to get back to our hotel in Takapuna. Why ? Because there was no public transport to Takapuna. If anyone thinks our transport system can cope with a major event at Albany, they need to consult thier therapist for a change in medication as the stuff they are on obviously has an adverse effect on their brain. Just as well it didnt ruin a perfect concert from the genius of Roger Waters.
Ray Bennett
Is the glass half full or half empty? Its true that "only" about a third of the concert was made up of singalong familiar songs, but for the entire concert we were treated to mind boggling playing from three of the most gifted guitar artists in the world. No Eric and Co didnt play to the crowd (scuse the pun), instead they used the idle chit chat time to play more of what we had really come to hear. I didnt feel cheated, I came away fizzing.
Frans van Buel
I wonder if someone can tell me what happend with the pig from the Roger Waters concert. It must have landed in someones backyard or something.
Emma Caughey
Roger Waters was absolutely amazing. It could not have been more perfect. He performed brilliantly, the rest of the group was cast flawlessly, and he played a superb lineup of songs. The lights and special effects (including sparks and explosions) added even more to the incredible show. I enjoyed it immensely and am so glad I was able to hear one of my favourite albums of all time played live so spectacularly.
Ian
Dancing was banned at the concert. A lone male dancer was ordered to sit down.
Wil
All I can say is what an AWESOME concert,mind blowing, on a par if not better then the Floyd concert here in 88.
Julie Malin
I went to the concert at North harbour Stadium last night, absolutely wonderful the best concert in the world i have ever been to, I wish it was last night again, cause I would definitely go again and again.
Brendon Bliss
Great night,perfect weather what more could you ask for,Band was fantastic and tight and great mix.Roger was note perfect in voice even if they had to play the last part of Set the controls to the heart of the sun. As for the 17 year old kid that said they kicked U2'S ass!Come on! I have been a fan of U2 for 20 odd years totally different band! Anyway as I said Brilliant!!
Tony
This is the benchmark that all future concerts will be based on, played all the iconic numbers and had me spellbound from beginning to end. Especially enjoyed listening to Neil Young over the sound system before the concert and was sucked in with ABBA with the masses. We arrived early and paid the $10 to park the car. This is the best concert I have ever seen and will be one hard act to follow. Bring on the DVD!
David
This was the most amazing concert I have seen. The atmosphere and music created by Waters and his band was fantastic, especially Great Gig in the Sky and all the special effects throught the show. Your reviewer has been a bit hard on Waters for the lack of new material. I, like probably most people, went to see Pink Floyd material - classics that are unlikely to be performed many more times by Pink Floyd members. So it was fantastic. Also have to say that I found the travel / parking at Nth Harbour Stadium easy - we paid the $5 to park at Massey, not a great amount after spending nearly a grand on tickets. Was back in central Auck 30 mins after concert finished.
Troy
What a lame description of such a fantastic, exhilarating, and emotional concert. My hair standing up on ends on a number of occasions. Great performance, great crowd and would love to see it again.
G Thompson
Fantanstic performance by all. Would not hesitate to see this show again. Excellent sound and a good variety of songs.Great venue with easy access to and from.
Carol Laughton
I thought the Roger Waters concert was the best event I have every been to! We splurged out and booked at seat in the ASB Lounge where we were seated for dinner then outside in the stadium with a perfect view of the concert. Being a huge Pink Floyd fan I thought the concert was more than great. A night I will never forget.
Ian H
Utterly outstanding show! It will take something really special to outclass that. Whoever missed it, missed out big time. The sound system was just fantastic which showed up the Big Day Out as being shamefully amateur by comparison... Also never realised what a great outdoor venue Albany stadium would be on a perfect night.
Clive
Simply brilliant, excellent sound, fantastic music and a wonderfull venue. When I asked my 17 year old son (who was lucky enough to get a ticket to U2) how this concert compared, he simply stated that they "kicked U2s ass" - praise indeed! More big names at this venue please!
Tina Bourne
Any self respecting Pink Floyd fan would be kicking themselves if they had missed this brilliant concert! From the first strains to the very last, Waters proves he has still got what it takes. Any hint of his reputed 'ego' is long gone as many others in the entourage stepped up to the mic and held us spellbound. His band is accomplished in the extreme, most of them well known and respected in their own right. Waters himself seemed to be having a fantastic time - strutting from one end of the stage to the other, a huge grin on his face! I loved this concert - and to your reviewer who claimed the weakness was a lack of new material, I truly think most of the die hard fans wanted nostalgia, and boy, under the moon and stars without a breath of wind or a hint of rain ... they got what they came for! I would pay another $400 without a qualm right this minute to see it all again.
Dave Alley
I was disappointed with the Herald reviewers droll lack lust take on the most amazing concert I have ever seen. and great gig in the sky penned by Rick Wright was phenomenal!! All of the musicians on that stage were cream of the crop and creative to boot. The new track Leaving Beirut was great too I thought. Typical Waters style. Immaculate.
Miguel
I felt 20 years younger. Absolutely fantastic.
Richard
Great show, but it has to be said that without David Gilmour the Pink Floyd experience isnt quite the same. No disrespect to Waters or the current two lead guitarists, but neither has mastered the subtlety of Gilmours touch. And what the hell were they thinking in deciding to abridge the opening solo to Dark Side of the Moon? Without being too critical, I hope Waters diminishing voice is able to withstand the entire tour. Lucky for him he has a galaxy of support singers to sustain the high notes.
Stevie
Clapton is still god. Nice to see a whole lot of baby boomers legless too!!
Julie
Roger Waters is the best. The concert rocked. So glad we went. We were lucky we had hospitality packages at the ASB lounge. What a good night. They put on all and the night was AAA++++
Mark Holm
Agree with your reviewer. Great concert, bettered only by the full band, which we wont ever see again. Dont be too hard on lack of new material. It was billed as a nostalgia show and the renditions give credit to not only Roger but his full support act. Would go again tonight! The only bummer is again the poor infrastructure in Auckland, 1/2 and hour to get to the concert and 2 hours to get home, mostly spent trying to firstly get out of the stadium and then the hopeless undersized car parks. God bless anyone who thinks this set up has any potential for the Rugby World cup.
KC
Waters and Clapton absolute legends! Real musicians playing real music that they wrote. Not like the crap we are dished up today by modern musicians who cant play instruments let alone write their own music or the mediocre here today gone tomorrow that the big day out dishes out.
Alex Taylor-Innes
This was a great concert. One I am sure that will be looked back as a reference in the future, a benchmark even. I really enjoyed all aspects of it: Lighting, sound, atmosphere, crowd. etc. This lyrical genius did miss a beat with "Lebanon" however. I cant remember ever seeing quite so many happy white middle aged people in my life.
Jenni Moore
Going to this concert felt like historical homage... Dark Side of the Moon is such a classic. 14 years in the top forty for goodness sake! The concert was mind blowing in its parade of stunning solos - lead guitar, saxophone, the most amazing drum solo, and then the inimitable woman singing her solo.What a moment hearing her beautiful voice soaring and diving. Chills ran up and down my spine. And as Roger Waters left the stage, I felt sad, because we will never see such a concert again. Thank goodness I didnt miss it. And thanks goodness I felt more awe than your reviewer, who clearly was on another planet.
Moose
The rendition of Mother and The Great Gig in the Sky gave me goose bumps. The visuals were great particularly for On The Run and the opening visuals where the protagonist is killing time listening to the old radio. The Abba joke was hilarious.
Conor
Big noise, big pyrotechnics, big floating pigs,big crowd, big fun. This was my first concert in my life, and it did not disappoint. Everything you expect and much, much more.
Grant Smith
For me being a die hard Pink Floyd/Roger Waters fan, this would have to be one of the highlights of my life. The powerful & meaningful lyrics (which are very rare these days) of Roger Waters, the "creative genius" of Pink Floyd, performed a simply outstanding concert last night. The psychedelic surround sound & mind numbing visuals were created perfectly. Roger Waters backing band were also highly professional & incredibly talented, during the entire concert. Everything, from Flying Pigs, an on-stage Astronaut, to bubbles blowing from the top of the stage during "Shine On You Crazy Diamond", this concert had it all & more. Rogers Waters - 120 per cent worth the Time & Money :-)
TB
Sensory overload in many wonderful ways. Stunning visuals supporting beautiful textured and at times haunting music played in audio widescreen. An immensely talented backing band ably supporting a very humble Roger Waters who let the music do the talking. Certainly gave the 88 Floyd gig a run for its money. They dont make them like they used to.
Ted and Jenny
14 of us went to the show and savoured over two hours of pure class and professionalism on stage. A total immersion of sight, sound and sense. Fantastic - with Great Gig in the Sky being a highlight for all.
Grant Harrison
I attended the Roger Waters concert at North Harbour stadium which was excellent and well attended.It was the first time we had been since the very first sports fixture when it opened[now some years ago].On that occasion we parked in paddocks out the back and it took about an hour to leave. Last night, to my dismay, it took even longer to leave and get to the motorway[90 minutes] This fine stadium seems to have woefully inadequate access to main roads,which themselves have numerous sets of lights,a very convoluted path to the motor way [via a roundabout!], which then merges to a single lane, and a complete lack of pointsmen to ease the chaos[traffic lights are somewhat redundant after midnight].What a shame, Im not sure that we would bother again.
John Robb
Your correspondant in the piece about Eric Clapton at The Mission Napier erroneously states that it is the first time he has played here, not so Eric played at Western Springs in 1975 and at the Supertop at Ericcson Stadium in 1991.
John D Garner
I am a Kiwi living in Anchorage, AK & enjoy keeping up with NZ News through the Herald web-site. A blues fan from way back, I was interested to read about Eric Claptons recent concert at the Mission Vineyard in Napier. I was even more interested to read that it was Claptons first concert in NZ. It left me wondering about Slowhands concert that thursday night at Western Springs, 10 April 1975 (I had to look up the date). Was it real or a figment of my imagination. My (now) wife accompanied me that night, and has no memory of the concert. I remember it well however for Claptons heavy reliance on his band. They seemed to carry every song and finished most with a drawn-out musical cresendo. I thought maybe watching the concert from the embankment hadn't helped my enjoyment much either. Anyway thanks for the article. Im sure it prompted several others who were at that concert in 75 to check out their smokey memories. Memories which are apparently longer than the age of the perso n who wrote for the Herald.
