JOSANNE CASSAR joined other journalists recently for a trip to Rome, organised by NnG Productions, to watch Roger Waters live in concert..

There is nothing like an Italian audience to create atmosphere at a concert. And when that concert happens to be Roger Waters at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico, well, then there are few experiences which can compare.

The Dark Side of the Moon tour is taking ‘the creative genius of Pink Floyd’ from Europe to the USA, and will include the much-awaited concert in Malta on 10 July. Of course, Roger Waters fans will remember that a 15-minute segment of his opera Ca Ira was played during the celebrations to mark Malta's accession to the European Union.

We were in Rome to get a preview of what to expect, with assurances by NnG Productions that this would be the same exact show Maltese audiences would see. “Actually expect something even more because he keeps adding new things to each show.”

As press we were taken to a section smack in the middle of the stadium, with seats on the highest tiers. Now, that is what I call a view!

Incidentally, yes, there was a golden circle for VIPs but the advantages of being in a stadium is that everyone is seated and can see relatively well. The difference was that towards the end, everyone was standing, and no one seemed to be asking them to sit down. So the obvious question was, why not hold ours at Ta’ Qali? Out of the question, we were told, because apart from the fact the MFA would probably not grant permission, the curve just does not take enough people. And much as we may gripe about the seated ones in the golden circle putting a damper on the atmosphere, Anton Attard from NnG stressed that without selling the expensive tickets, concerts such as these would not be sustainable.

Mr Attard pointed out that after noting the public’s complaints there will be three big screens for the Roger Waters concert (as opposed to the one of poor quality at the Sting concert).

There were plenty of drinks and food kiosks available to avoid congestion, unlike the unruly queues we had in Malta, and this is something the organisers are also keenly aware of.

The already heightened expectations of the crowd continued to build as music from a Bob Dylan CD floated through the air. Inevitably, rockers in black gear were everywhere (including a rocker couple with a small child) – this, after all, was their legendary icon. But there was also a wide spectrum of ‘ordinary’ fans, of all generations, proving once again that good music is timeless.

For, hard as it is to believe, Roger Waters is now 63. His fans have grown up with him, introducing their children who have come along for this ride to classic rock history.

Although I’ve always liked Pink Floyd’s music, I cannot exactly call myself a diehard fan – unlike Charles Marsh, a photographer with l-orizzont and Super One DJ – who, in his own words, is “obsessed” with everything PF, and particularly Roger Waters. He kept us entertained with fascinating trivia, and could name any track from any CD without a second’s hesitation. One fact particularly intrigued me. Apparently, in Malta, Pink Floyd, and their co-founder and main songwriter Roger Waters, have their hugest following in the south.

“I think it has to do with the fact that Pink Floyd was anti-establishment and left-wing... which in the 1960s struck a chord,” Charles explained.

“For as long as I can remember this has always been the musical trend in the south, not so much rock music in general but progressive rock such as Pink Floyd and the early Genesis. Floyd started as underground in the late 1960s, then emerged into the psychedelic and progressive sound we know today. It’s not something you really hear on the radio; when you hear classic rock it’s on a stereo at home and that’s where it is in a class of its own...”

The love for Pink Floyd and Roger Waters continues in the south because it has been passed on from one generation to the next.

“I recently met a young fan, only 18 years old, whose father was obsessed with the band and who raised his kids on the music – the son has become even more obsessed than his father! He has been phoning me continuously since we’ve been in Rome to ask about the concert. In Zejtun, where I’m from, that’s all people are talking about; everyone is asking for tickets!” Charles said.

After that briefing we settled down to watch the concert – and what a concert it was!

When Roger Waters walked out on stage the crowd went wild and as we heard the first few riffs, we literally got goosebumps. That unmistakeable voice is still there and the songs are as beautifully moving as ever.

A big screen showed images related to the songs from the old Pink Floyd days. When he sang one of his new songs Leaving Beirut, there were sketches of the story behind the song, of when he was a student backpacking through Lebanon.

The line up included Andy Fairweather Low and Snowy White – Guitar, Dave Kilminster – Guitar and Vocals, Graham Broad – Drums, Jon Carin – Keyboards, Harry Waters – Hammond, Ian Ritchie – Saxophone and backing

vocalists Katie Kissoon, PP Arnold and Carol Kenyon. Pyrotechnics were used for the more flamboyant numbers and the three amazing backing singers provided the soul especially in such songs as Mother.

The atmosphere left me searching for adjectives: electric, emotional, pulsating with the warm vibes of an audience, who (like me, perhaps) could not quite believe they were watching such genius. At one point through the darkness, we suddenly became aware of pale shades of light… thousands of people were holding up their mobiles to take pictures. Some of us were phoning friends and family to share with them the pure joy of listening to that great music.

Thousands of people were singing with one voice to the songs we all knew by heart: Comfortably Numb, Perfect Sense, The Wall, Wish you were Here, Money, Shine on you Crazy Diamond. After all these years, the relevancy of some of the lyrics was eerie especially with songs such as Bring the Boys Back Home.

Giving several encores during the two-and-a-half-hour show, Roger Waters certainly gave fans their money’s worth. It was an amazing night we never wanted to end. You can see and hear for yourself on 10 July at the Luxol Grounds.

Tickets from Vodafone outlets and Matrix.