Roger Waters, co-founder of Pink Floyd, has very strong ideas about what a rock concert should be — and that’s why he’s not impressed by The Rolling Stones’ big stadium shows.
He Used to Be a Big Fan
Waters admits he was once “an incredible Stones fan.”
He still thinks some of their songs are very good.
But when it comes to their shows, he doesn’t hold back.
What’s the Problem? Too Much Spectacle, Not Enough Meaning
Waters believes stadium rock is often more about making money than making art.
He said in an interview that on these huge tours, “the money is so much more important than anything else … that it completely overshadows … anything else that’s going on.”
For him, concerts shouldn’t just be about filling a massive space with people. They should be emotional and thoughtful — not just “automatic applause.”
Why He Calls Their Shows a “Joke”
Here’s one of Waters’s bluntest quotes:
“I just think their shows are a joke; all those … people crammed into those big stadiums …”
He feels that such huge venues turn concerts into something shallow. In his view, the audience becomes just another statistic.
His Own Alternative: The Wall
Waters didn’t just complain — he built something different. With Pink Floyd’s The Wall shows, he created a performance that was theatrical, symbolic, and deeply personal.
He preferred smaller, more controlled settings where the technical details — like sound and visuals — mattered a lot.
Karl Dallas Archive
Bottom Line
Waters respects The Stones: He likes some of their songs.
But he hates the big stadium setup: For him, it’s too commercial, too impersonal.
He believes in meaningful art: He wants concerts that make people think, not just clap.
In short, for Roger Waters, rock doesn’t have to be just about big crowds — it can be something deeper.