club.liberty.asn.au

Waters back in Oz with Dark Side of the Moon
Patrick Donovan October 18, 2006

ONE of the biggest-selling albums of all time, Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon, will be performed in its entirety in February by the band's founding member Roger Waters and a 10-piece band.

The atmospheric album, originally released in March 1973, holds the record for the longest time spent in Billboard's Top 200 best-selling albums chart — 15 years. The album has sold 35 million copies and still sells up to 8000 copies a week. It has spawned many tribute acts, including the Pink Floyd Experience, which plays at St Kilda's Palais Theatre on November 17.

Waters' performance of the 43-minute album continues a trend of musicians playing classic albums. In recent years, Brian Wilson performed Pet Sounds and Smile on separate Australian tours and the late Arthur Lee brought Love's classic Forever Changes to life at Richmond's Corner Hotel. It is believed Lou Reed will perform his 1973 classic Berlin at the Sydney Festival in January. Waters' near three-hour show will include the album, solo material and Pink Floyd classics such as Another Brick in the Wall, Wish You Were Here and the band's tribute to late guitarist Syd Barrett, Shine on, You Crazy Diamond.

But Australian audiences won't hear the sublime guitar stylings of David Gilmour. The band reunited briefly last year for the Live 8 concert in London, but Gilmour has suggested it would not be repeated.

The tour starts at Rod Laver Arena on February 1. Tickets are on sale from Friday week.

You can see the show at:

January 25 - Acer Arena, Sydney
February 1 - Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
February 5 - Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
February 7 - Entertainment Centre, Adelaide
February 9 - Members Equity Stadium, Perth

Tickets are on sale Friday, October 27.