Roger Waters, the co-founder and primary creative force behind the legendary rock band Pink Floyd, last toured the United States and Canada on his massive Us + Them tour which spanned from 2017-2018. Since then, fans have been eagerly awaiting news of the next North American leg of Waters’ ongoing tour in support of his latest album Is This The Life We Really Want?.
Why Fans Want Another Roger Waters Tour
Waters is renowned for his spectacular live shows that feature stunning visual effects, inflatable puppets, political commentary, and of course Pink Floyd’s timeless music. His tours consistently rank among the highest-grossing each year and the Us + Them tour raked in over $310 million globally. Fans love the opportunity to experience classics like “Comfortably Numb,” “Another Brick in the Wall,” and “Wish You Were Here” performed live by Waters and his excellent backing band.
There is also excitement and some speculation around the possibility that Waters could reunite with his former Pink Floyd bandmate David Gilmour for special performances, despite their strained relationship. Even with the bad blood, they came together for a short set at the Live 8 benefit in 2005, proving that onstage magic can still happen. With the clock ticking for these legends, fans are anxious for Roger Waters, age 79, to embark on one last epic tour.
No Official Announcement Yet
Unfortunately for American and Canadian fans, there has been no official announcement of a Roger Waters tour in their countries in 2023 or beyond. Waters typically spends a year or two touring a specific live production globally before moving on to create a new show. His current This Is Not A Drill tour began in Europe in 2022 and is scheduled to come to North America in 2023, but precise dates and locations have not yet been revealed.
There were rumors of a 20-date North American leg to major cities starting in late 2023, but nothing has been confirmed by Waters or his management. At 79 years old, fans worry there are only so many tours left in the legendary artist. But until official tour plans materialize, devotees will keep hoping for the arena rock spectacle of Pink Floyd masterpieces performed once again by Roger Waters and company on North American shores.
Roger Waters’ Touring History
To analyze whether another Roger Waters tour of North America is likely, it is helpful to look back at his extensive touring history as both a member of Pink Floyd and as a solo artist.
Pink Floyd Tours
Waters joined Pink Floyd in 1965 and was the major creative force behind such albums as The Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, and The Wall. Pink Floyd toured consistently from 1967-1981 in support of their albums. Notable tours included:
| Tour | Year |
|---|---|
| The Piper at the Gates of Dawn Tour | 1967 |
| A Saucerful of Secrets Tour | 1968 |
| The Dark Side of the Moon Tour | 1972-1973 |
| Wish You Were Here Tour | 1975 |
| Animals Tour | 1977 |
| The Wall Tour | 1980-1981 |
The band, including Waters, last toured together as Pink Floyd in 1994 in support of the album The Division Bell which Waters did not contribute to.
Roger Waters Solo Tours
After departing from Pink Floyd in the 1980s, Waters embarked on a successful solo career and has toured consistently both before and after the Pink Floyd reunion tour in 1994:
| Tour | Year |
|---|---|
| The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking | 1984-1985 |
| Radio K.A.O.S. | 1987-1988 |
| The Wall Live | 1990 |
| In the Flesh | 1999-2002 |
| The Dark Side of the Moon Live | 2006-2008 |
| The Wall Live | 2010-2013 |
| Us + Them | 2017-2018 |
| This Is Not a Drill | 2022-present |
Tour Overview
As the tables illustrate, Waters toured North America extensively with Pink Floyd from 1967 up until their last tour in 1981 in support of The Wall album. Beginning in 1984 he initiated his successful solo touring career and has reliably gone on worldwide tours in promotion of each new album or live production.
His most recent worldwide tour, This Is Not A Drill, kicked off in Europe in 2022. Therefore, based on his extensive touring history, it is very likely Waters will bring this new show to North America, and fans can anticipate tour date announcements sometime in 2023.
Where Might Roger Waters Play in America?
Based on past tours, if Roger Waters does announce a North American leg of This Is Not a Drill in 2023, he will likely play many of the same major markets and venues he has previously performed at as a solo artist and with Pink Floyd.
Potential Tour Stops
Here are some of the top cities and venues Waters could potentially include on a 2023 American tour:
| City | Venue |
|---|---|
| New York | Madison Square Garden |
| Washington, D.C. | Capital One Arena |
| Philadelphia | Wells Fargo Center |
| Boston | TD Garden |
| Chicago | United Center |
| Los Angeles | Staples Center |
| San Francisco | Chase Center |
| Dallas | American Airlines Center |
| Denver | Ball Arena |
| Las Vegas | T-Mobile Arena |
| Seattle | Climate Pledge Arena |
| Montreal | Centre Bell |
| Toronto | Scotiabank Arena |
Waters has consistently included major markets like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, and Montreal on tours. He also has a tendency of playing multiple nights in cities where there is high demand. Smaller more intimate venues are unlikely for a large-scale production like This Is Not A Drill.
Number of Shows
If a North American leg is announced for 2023, fans could reasonably expect around 20-30 shows in the major cities highlighted above. His recent Us + Them tour included about 28 shows across the U.S. and Canada. As with all big tours, the number of shows and locations could shift, but anticipation will be high regardless for this rare chance to see Roger Waters live.
How Quickly Will Roger Waters 2023 Tour Sell Out?
Based on huge demand for recent tours, when Roger Waters announces his 2023 North American dates, tickets will sell out extremely quickly.
High Demand
Roger Waters concerts are major events that attract die-hard Pink Floyd fans plus general music lovers. His touring band is composed of excellent musicians who faithfully recreate the Pink Floyd sound. The production values including lights, visuals, pyrotechnics, and inflatables are unparalleled.
For many fans, Roger Waters live in concert represents a once-in-a-lifetime experience. At 79 years old, this could be one of Waters’ final major worldwide tours. That possibility generates even greater demand.
Immediate Sell Outs
When 2023 North American tour dates are announced, prime tickets will sell out in mere minutes online and at box offices. Pre-sale opportunities for fan club members and certain credit card holders will snap up inventory also.
Based on massive interest, additional shows are likely to be added in major markets to meet demand which will also sell out instantly. Bottom line – anyone interested will need to be ready to purchase tickets the moment they go on sale to secure seats. This could very well be music fans’ last chance to ride “the lunatic rollercoaster” with Roger Waters live in concert.
How Much Will Roger Waters 2023 Tour Tickets Cost?
Seeing Roger Waters’ world-class stage show does not come cheaply. If he tours North America in 2023, fans can expect very high ticket prices, especially for good floor seats.
Ticket Price Estimates
Although no 2023 tour has been announced yet, based on pricing for his 2017-2018 Us + Them tour, the following provides an estimate of what Roger Waters tickets could cost:
| Seat Location | Estimated Price Range |
|---|---|
| Floors/Front Rows | $250 – $600+ |
| Lower Level Seats | $150 – $400 |
| Upper Level Seats | $75 – $250 |
Of course, prices can fluctuate depending on the market and could be even higher in 2023 with inflation and high demand. Tickets on the secondary market like StubHub will likely start at $400+ even for upper levels once shows sell out.
Justification for High Prices
While the sticker shock may seem outrageous to some, there are reasonable justifications for Roger Waters commanding such a premium. He is a living legend putting on massive productions with custom stages, lights, HD video walls, pyrotechnics and unique inflatables.
With a limited touring schedule, Waters can maximize revenue and fans have shown they are willing to pay top dollar for the experience. Face value tickets will pale in comparison to secondary market prices once the concerts sell out.
Conclusion
Roger Waters touring North America in 2023 has not yet been confirmed, but based on his comments and ongoing This Is Not A Drill tour, it appears likely another leg will be announced soon. When it becomes official, fans can expect extremely high demand and instant sell outs in major cities where Roger Waters returns once again with his incredible live show. For anyone lucky enough to score the prized tickets, it will be a monumental night hearing Waters’ masterful songs performed live, possibly for the final time.