Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters once again dons his “Nazi” outfit at the O2 performance despite protests outside the venue – while the rocker faces an investigation from German police for wearing the same black trench coat at a concert in Berlin
- Roger Waters said his performance was clearly meant to show “opposition to fascism”.
Former Pink Floyd bassist Roger Waters once again wore his controversial “Nazi-style” coat at his London concert – despite protests outside the O2 Arena.
The musician, who is being investigated by the German police for wearing a long black trench coat with a red armband at his last performance in Berlin, wore this outfit again last night.
The 79-year-old also reportedly pretended to fire a mock machine gun at the crowd during his hit songs “In The Flesh” and “Run Like Hell.”
Waters had previously dropped his coat and gun at his concerts in Frankfurt and Birmingham, ranting that people wanted to cancel him.
But last night he defiantly wore the costume, meant to commemorate an SS officer, despite protesters holding placards and flags gathering outside the stadium ahead of the show.
Roger Waters reportedly pretended to fire at the crowd with a mock machine gun
He wore the controversial outfit again during his appearance in London
Waters told the Independent on Saturday: “My recent performance in Berlin has drawn malicious attacks from those who want to denigrate and silence me for disagreeing with my political views and moral principles.”
He added, “The portrayal of a mad fascist has been a feature of my shows since Pink Floyd’s The Wall in 1980.”
“I’ve spent my whole life speaking out against authoritarianism and oppression wherever I see it.”
“When I was a kid, after the war, the name Anne Frank was spoken a lot in our house, becoming a permanent reminder of what happens when fascism is left unchecked.” “My parents fought the Nazis in World War II, and my father paid the ultimate price.”
It comes after Waters performed in the coat at Berlin’s Mercedes-Benz Arena on May 17.
Third Reich-style banners also hung from the stage during the concert.
Germany bans the depiction of Nazi symbols, but the country’s laws allow exceptions for artistic or educational reasons.
Waters, who wore the outfit at previous shows several years ago, said his performance was clearly meant to show “opposition to fascism.”
Many protested outside the 02 Arena in London last night ahead of the performance
Before the show, demonstrators with placards and flags gathered in front of the stadium
A protester outside the O2 Arena before Roger Waters’ performance on June 6th
The costume is similar to that used in the 1982 film The Wall, based on the Pink Floyd album of the same name.
German police are now investigating Waters’ choice of costume as it “could be misused to glorify Nazi rule”.
Police spokesman Martin Halweg said: “We are investigating on suspicion of hate speech because the clothing worn on stage could be used to glorify or justify the Nazi regime and thus disturb public peace.”
He added: “The clothing resembles the clothing of an SS officer.”
Waters later tweeted, “The challenged elements of my performance are clearly a statement against fascism, injustice and bigotry in all its forms… The portrayal of a fascist demagogue gone haywire has been a feature of my shows ever since.” The Wall by Pink Floyd in 1980.
Waters is playing another show at the O2 tonight as part of his This Is Not a Drill Tour.
Web has reached out to Roger Waters representatives for comment.