“Roger Waters Kicks Off Controversial Tour in Germany Despite Anti-Semitism Allegations”

Despite all the criticism of his statements, Roger Waters has started his tour in Germany. That’s how the kick-off went in Hamburg.

Despite ongoing allegations of anti-Semitism, viewers cheered for Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters at the Germany start of his “This Is Not A Drill” tour in Hamburg. Around 6,500 fans came to the Barclays Arena on Sunday. Waters not only received applause for big hits from the Pink Floyd era and from his career as a solo artist, but also when he addressed the allegations against him.

“A court in Frankfurt has decided that I’m not an anti-Semite. Excellent,” Waters’ voice sounded in English from the loudspeakers shortly before the concert began. The corresponding text appeared on the screen above the stage. The 79-year-old said he condemned anti-Semitism unreservedly and couldn’t say how much he was looking forward to the performance in Frankfurt. “To put it bluntly, I condemn anti-Semitism,” he said, according to the Hamburger Abendblatt.

Recently there had been nationwide criticism of the British musician’s performances, which are also scheduled for May in Cologne, Berlin, Munich and Frankfurt am Main. The concert in Frankfurt should initially be canceled. However, Waters had appealed against the decision and was right. In its decision, the Frankfurt administrative court referred, among other things, to artistic freedom. A protest rally is planned in Cologne, where he will be appearing on May 9th. There were no protests in Hamburg, reports the “Abendblatt”.

Before the concert, the city of Hamburg saw no way to stop the performance because the Barclays Arena is a private hall. “All fans and concert-goers should consider whether they want to offer Waters a stage,” the second mayor, Katharina Fegebank, appealed to in the “Abendblatt.” Together we have the chance to actively oppose anti-Semitism and anti-Israelism and not just leave this concert uncritical to accept No matter how great we think the music is.”

Among other things, Waters has been criticized for his proximity to the BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) campaign, which calls for a comprehensive boycott of the State of Israel. At previous concerts, the singer also released pig-shaped balloons with a Star of David. Statements about the war in Ukraine also caused a stir – for example that Russian President Vladimir Putin wanted to use it to fight fascism in the country and that the USA was a main aggressor in the conflict.