"If you're one of those people who loves Pink Floyd but doesn't appreciate Roger's policies you can go to hell at the bar right now". Never trivial, Roger Waters - singer-songwriter, bassist and co-founder of Pink Floyd - opened his highly anticipated Milanese concert with this message projected on the big screens, the first of four dates, all sold-out, at the Assago Forum.
Words referring to his positions on the war in Ukraine that have attracted some criticism, but not only: that of Waters, as well as a great musical and scenographic show ('This is not a drill', the name of his first "farewell tour ", as he himself defined it), it was also a controversial concert, full of political messages and references.
Like when on the huge screens that form a cross wall on the stage you read some words like 'propaganda, fake news' or accusations against the "powerful" of the world, against discrimination against African Americans, with annexed reference to George Floyd, or against violence against women in Iran and in defense of Palestine, Yemen and the civil rights of minorities.
The toughest 'messages', however, are reserved for various US presidents such as Ronald Reagan, Barack Obama, Donald Trump and Joe Biden, all accused of being "war criminals".
"I'm very happy to be here," Waters punctuated in Italian while some captions recounted her life, especially musical, from her first marriage to her friendship with Syd Barret,
Impressive scenography and lights. During 'Sheep' a giant inflatable remote-controlled sheep flies around the Forum above the spectators, while after the break Waters returns to the stage holding a fake machine gun and shooting at the audience, 'escorted' by two policemen all dressed in black.
Death, war and destruction are recurring themes throughout the evening, as is criticism of military policies, particularly those of the United States.
And there is also space to dedicate a song to the activist Julian Assange, co-founder of WikiLeaks. Waters plays some of Pink Floyd's most famous songs from the albums 'The Wall' and 'The dark side of the moon' which turns 50 this year, setting the Forum ablaze with flamboyant psychedelic rock.
The Milanese evening ends with a shot of Mezcal with the members of the band. And with the touching tribute to his older brother who passed away last year. | 
