Pink Floyd's Roger Waters rewears 'Nazi' outfit at O2 despite protests
Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters rewears ‘Nazi’ outfit at O2 gig despite protests outside the venue – as rocker faces German police probe for dressing in same black trenchcoat at Berlin concert
- Roger Waters said his performance was clearly to show ‘opposition to fascism’
Former Pink Floyd bassist Roger Waters wore his controversial ‘Nazi-style’ coat again at his London concert – despite protests outside the O2.
The musician, who is being investigated by German police for wearing a long black trench coat with a red armband during his recent show in Berlin, was back wearing the outfit again last night.
The 79-year-old also reportedly pretended to shoot the crowd with an imitation machine gun during his hit songs In The Flesh and Run Like Hell.
Waters had previously ditched the coat and gun at his concerts in Frankfurt and Birmingham and ranted about people wanting him cancelled.
But last night he defiantly wore the costume, said to be reminiscent of an SS officer, even though protestors gathered outside the stadium before the show holding placards and flags.
Roger Waters reportedly pretended to shoot the crowd with an imitation machine gun
He was back wearing the controversial outfit again as he performed in London
Waters told the Independent on Saturday: ‘My recent performance in Berlin has attracted bad faith attacks from those who want to smear and silence me because they disagree with my political views and moral principles.’
He added: ‘The depiction of an unhinged facist has been a feature of my shows since Pink Floyd’s The Wall in 1980.
‘I have spent my entire life speaking out against authoritarianism and oppression wherever I see it.
‘When I was a child after the war, the name of Anne Frank was often spoken in our house, she became a permanent reminder of what happens when fascism is left unchecked. My parents fought the Nazis in World War II with my father paying the ultimate price.’
It comes after Waters performed in the coat at Berlin’s Mercedes-Benz Arena on May 17.
The concert also saw Third Reich style banners hung from the stage.
Germany bans displaying Nazi symbols – but the country’s laws allow exceptions for artistic or educational reasons.
Waters, who has worn the outfit at previous shows dating back several years, said his performance was clearly to show ‘opposition to fascism.’
Many protested outside the 02 Arena in London last night ahead of the performance
Protestors gathered outside the stadium before the show holding placards and flags
A demonstrator outside the O2 Arena before Roger Waters’ performance on June 6
Read more: Roger Waters is investigated by German police
The costume is similar to that worn 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 used to glorify Nazi rule.’
German police spokesman Martin Halweg said: ‘We are investigating on suspicion of incitement to public hatred because the clothing worn on stage could be used to glorify or justify Nazi rule, thereby disturbing the public peace.’
He added: ‘The clothing resembles the clothing of an SS officer.’
Waters later tweeted: ‘The elements of my performance that have been questioned are quite clearly a statement in opposition to fascism, injustice, and bigotry in all its forms… The depiction of an unhinged fascist demagogue has been a feature of my shows since Pink Floyd’s The Wall in 1980.’
Waters is playing another show at the O2 tonight as part of his This Is Not a Drill Tour.
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Roger Waters for comment.
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