Editing Roger Waters (section)

==1984–present: solo career==

=== 1984–1989: ''The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking'' and ''Radio K.A.O.S.'' ===
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-1990-0722-401, Berlin, Aufführung der Rockoper "The Wall".jpg|thumb|upright|alt=A concert stage in front of a wall with 2 levels. Five men stand on a balcony, including Roger Waters, who is saluting with his arm and is lit by a spotlight. On the lower level is a drum kit and a man playing guitar.|Waters (top) performing ''The Wall&nbsp;– Live in Berlin'' on 21 July 1990]]

In 1984, Waters released his first solo album, ''[[The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking]]'', which dealt with Waters's feelings about monogamy and family life versus "the call of the wild."{{sfn|Schaffner|1991|pp= 272–273}} The protagonist, Reg, finally chooses love and matrimony over promiscuity. The album features the guitarist [[Eric Clapton]], the jazz saxophonist [[David Sanborn]], and artwork by Gerald Scarfe.{{sfn|Schaffner|1991|pp= 272–273}} [[Kurt Loder]] described ''The Pros And Cons of Hitch Hiking'' as a "strangely static, faintly hideous record".{{sfn|Blake|2008|pp= 305–306}} ''Rolling Stone'' rated the album a "rock bottom one star".{{sfn|Schaffner|1991|pp= 272–273}} Years later, Mike DeGagne of [[AllMusic]] praised its "ingenious symbolism" and "brilliant use of stream of consciousness within a subconscious realm", rating it four out of five.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.allmusic.com/album/r21602 |title= The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking |first= Mike |last= DeGagne |work= AllMusic |access-date= 17 October 2010 |archive-date= 16 October 2010 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101016085637/http://www.allmusic.com/album/r21602 |url-status= live }}</ref>

Waters toured the album with Clapton, a new band, and new material; the shows included a selection of Pink Floyd songs. Waters débuted his tour in Stockholm on 16 June 1984. The tour drew poor ticket sales and some performances at larger venues were cancelled;{{sfn|Blake|2008|pp= 332–333}} Waters estimated that he lost £400,000 on the tour.{{sfn|Blake|2008|p= 309}} In March 1985, played a tour of smaller venues in North America in 1985.{{Cn|date=July 2024}} ''The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking'' was [[certified gold]] in the US.<ref name="RIAA">{{cite web |title=Gold & Platinum: Roger Waters |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=Roger+Waters#search_section |access-date=30 June 2020 |publisher=[[Recording Industry Association of America]]}}</ref>

In 1986, Waters contributed songs and a score to the soundtrack of the animated film ''[[When the Wind Blows (1986 film)|When the Wind Blows]]'', based on [[When the Wind Blows (comics)|the book]] by [[Raymond Briggs]]. His band, featuring [[Paul Carrack]], was credited as the Bleeding Heart Band.{{sfn|Fitch|2005|p=36}} In 1987, Waters released ''[[Radio K.A.O.S.]]'', a concept album based on a mute man named Billy from an impoverished Welsh mining town who has the ability to tune into radio waves in his head. Billy learns to communicate with a radio DJ, and eventually to control the world's computers. Angry at the state of the world in which he lives, he simulates a nuclear attack. Waters followed the release with a tour.{{sfn|Manning|2006|p= 131}}

=== 1989–1999: ''The Wall – Live in Berlin'' and ''Amused to Death'' ===
In November 1989, the [[Berlin Wall]] fell, and in July 1990 Waters staged one of the largest and most elaborate rock concerts in history,{{sfn|Povey|Russell|1997|pp=246–247}} ''[[The Wall&nbsp;– Live in Berlin]]'', on the vacant terrain between [[Potsdamer Platz]] and the [[Brandenburg Gate]]. The show reported an attendance of 200,000, though some estimates are as much as twice that, with approximately one billion television viewers.{{sfn|Blake|2008|p=346}} [[Leonard Cheshire]] asked Waters to perform the concert to raise funds for charity. Waters's musicians included [[Joni Mitchell]], [[Van Morrison]], [[Cyndi Lauper]], [[Bryan Adams]], [[Scorpions (band)|Scorpions]], and [[Sinéad O'Connor]]. Waters also used an East German symphony orchestra and choir, a Soviet marching band, and a pair of helicopters from the US [[7th Airborne Command and Control Squadron]]. Designed by Mark Fisher, the wall was 25&nbsp;metres tall and 170&nbsp;metres long and was built across the set, and Scarfe's inflatable puppets were recreated on an enlarged scale. Many rock icons received invitations to the show, though Gilmour, Mason, and Wright did not.{{sfn|Blake|2008|pp= 342–347}} Waters released a double album of the performance, which has been certified platinum by the RIAA.<ref name="RIAAGPC">{{cite web |title=RIAA Certifications |url=https://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=&artist=Roger%20Waters&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2010&sort=Artist&perPage=25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130724172824/http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=&artist=Roger%20Waters&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2010&sort=Artist&perPage=25 |archive-date=24 July 2013 |access-date=17 November 2010 |publisher=Recording Industry Association of America |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

In 1990, Waters hired manager [[Mark Fenwick]] and left EMI for a worldwide deal with Columbia. He released his third studio album, ''[[Amused to Death]]'', in 1992. The record was influenced heavily by the events of the [[Tiananmen Square protests of 1989]] and the [[Gulf War]], and a critique of the notion of war becoming the subject of entertainment, particularly on television. The title was derived from the book ''[[Amusing Ourselves to Death]]'' by [[Neil Postman]]. [[Patrick Leonard]], who worked on ''A Momentary Lapse of Reason'', co-produced the album. [[Jeff Beck]] played lead guitar on many of the album's tracks, which were recorded with a cast of musicians at ten different recording studios.{{sfn|Blake|2008|pp= 348–349}} It is Waters's most critically acclaimed solo recording, garnering comparison to his work with Pink Floyd.{{sfn|Blake|2008|pp= 347–352}} Waters described the record as a "stunning piece of work", ranking it alongside ''Dark Side of the Moon'' and ''The Wall'' as one of the best of his career.{{sfn|Manning|2006|pp= 141, 252}} The song "[[What God Wants]], Pt. 1" reached number 35 in the UK in September 1992 and number 5 on ''Billboard''{{'}}s [[Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks|Mainstream Rock Tracks]] chart in the US.<ref name="RWAM">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/roger-waters-p5795/charts-awards/billboard-singles|title=Roger Waters: Billboard Singles|work=AllMusic|access-date=20 November 2010|archive-date=23 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101123043758/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/roger-waters-p5795/charts-awards/billboard-singles|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Amused to Death'' was certified Silver by the [[British Phonographic Industry]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bpi.co.uk/certified-awards.aspx|title=BPI Certifications|publisher=[[British Phonographic Industry]]|access-date=2 October 2010|archive-date=20 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130120124207/http://www.bpi.co.uk/certified-awards.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> Sales of ''Amused to Death'' topped out at around one million and there was no tour in support of the album. Waters would first perform material from it seven years later during his [[In the Flesh (1999-2002 concert tour by Roger Waters)|In the Flesh tour]].{{sfn|Povey|2008|pp= 323–324}} In 1996, Waters was inducted into the US and UK [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame|Rock and Roll Halls of Fame]] as a member of Pink Floyd.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://rockhall.com/inductees/pink-floyd/timeline/ |title= Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Pink Floyd |work= Rock & Roll Hall of Fame |access-date= 2 October 2010 |archive-date= 12 July 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180712215118/https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/pink-floyd/timeline |url-status= live }}</ref>

===1999–2004: In the Flesh tour and ''Wall'' Broadway production===
In 1999, after a 12-year hiatus from touring and a seven-year absence from the music industry, Waters embarked on the In the Flesh tour, performing both solo and Pink Floyd material. The tour was a financial success in the US; though Waters had booked mostly smaller venues, tickets sold so well that many of the concerts were upgraded to larger ones.{{sfn|Povey|2008|pp= 329–334}} The tour eventually stretched across the world and spanned three years. A concert film was released on CD and DVD, ''[[In the Flesh – Live]]''. During the tour, Waters played two new songs "Flickering Flame" and "Each Small Candle" as the final encore to many of the shows. In June 2002, he completed the tour with a performance in front of 70,000 people at the [[Glastonbury Festival|Glastonbury Festival of Performing Arts]], playing 15 Pink Floyd songs and five songs from his solo catalogue.{{sfn|Povey|2008|pp=329–334}}

[[Miramax]] announced in 2004 that a production of ''The Wall'' was to appear on Broadway with Waters playing a prominent role in the creative direction. Reports stated that the musical contained not only the original tracks from ''The Wall'', but also songs from ''Dark Side of the Moon'', ''Wish You Were Here'' and other Pink Floyd albums, as well as new material.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3539908.stm |title= Pink Floyd's Wall Broadway bound |work= BBC News |date= 5 August 2004 |access-date= 2 October 2010 |archive-date= 24 February 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210224225554/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3539908.stm |url-status= live }}</ref> On the night of 1 May 2004, recorded extracts from the opera, including its [[overture]], were played on the occasion of the ''[[Enlargement of the European Union|Welcome Europe]]'' celebrations in the accession country of [[Malta]]. Gert Hof mixed recorded excerpts from the opera into a continuous piece of music which was played as an accompaniment to a large light and fireworks display over [[Grand Harbour]] in [[Valletta]].{{sfn|Povey|2008|p= 334}} In July 2004, Waters released two new tracks online: "To Kill the Child", inspired by the [[2003 invasion of Iraq]], and "Leaving Beirut", an anti-war song inspired by his travels in the Middle East as a teenager.{{sfn|Blake|2008|p=391}}

=== 2005: Pink Floyd reunion and ''{{lang|fr|Ça Ira}}''  ===

[[File:Pink floyd live 8 london.jpg|thumb|right|Waters (far right) performing with Pink Floyd at Live 8, 2 July 2005|alt=A concert stage lit by purple lighting. Four men are performing on the stage as a crowd stands in front of it. Behind the men are video screens displaying images of vinyl records.]]

[[File:RogerWaters03.jpg|thumb|upright|right|Waters playing "In the Flesh" on his Dark Side of the Moon Tour at Viking Stadion, Stavanger, 26 June 2006|alt=Roger Waters, dressed in black, playing a bass guitar and speaking into a microphone. Behind him are several red vertical video panels.]]

In July 2005, Waters reunited with Mason, Wright, and Gilmour for their final performance together at the 2005 [[Live 8]] concert in London's Hyde Park, Pink Floyd's only appearance with Waters since their final performance of ''The Wall'' at Earls Court London 24 years earlier.{{sfn|Povey|2008|pp=237, 266–267}} They played a 23-minute set consisting of "[[Speak to Me]]/[[Breathe (Pink Floyd song)|Breathe]]"/"[[Breathe (Reprise)]]", "[[Money (Pink Floyd song)|Money]]", "[[Wish You Were Here (Pink Floyd song)|Wish You Were Here]]", and "[[Comfortably Numb]]". Waters told the [[Associated Press]] that while the experience of playing with Pink Floyd again was positive, the chances of a bona fide reunion would be "slight" considering his and Gilmour's continuing musical and ideological differences.{{sfn|Schaffner|1991|p= 308}} Though Waters had differing ideas about which songs they should play, he "agreed to roll over for one night only".{{sfn|Blake|2008|pp= 382–383}} In November 2005, Pink Floyd were inducted into the [[UK Music Hall of Fame]] by [[Pete Townshend]] of [[the Who]].<ref>{{harvnb|Blake|2008|p= 386}}</ref>

In September 2005, Waters released ''{{lang|fr|[[Ça Ira (opera)|Ça Ira]]}}'' (pronounced {{IPA|fr|sa iˈʁa|}}, French for "it will be fine"; Waters added the subtitle, "There is Hope"), an opera in three acts translated from the late [[Étienne Roda-Gil]]'s French libretto based on the historical subject of the [[French Revolution]].<ref>{{cite magazine|last1= Tsioulcas|first1= Anastasia|title= Waters' New Concept|magazine= [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date= 27 August 2005|page= 45|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=-BIEAAAAMBAJ&q=ca+ira+Nadine+Roda-Gil&pg=PA45|access-date= 6 May 2012|archive-date= 17 April 2023|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230417070011/https://books.google.com/books?id=-BIEAAAAMBAJ&q=ca+ira+Nadine+Roda-Gil&pg=PA45|url-status= live}}</ref> ''{{lang|fr|Ça Ira}}'' was released as a double CD album, featuring baritone [[Bryn Terfel]], soprano [[Ying Huang (soprano)|Ying Huang]] and tenor [[Paul Groves (tenor)|Paul Groves]].{{sfn|Povey|2008|pp= 324–325}} Set during the early French Revolution, the original libretto was co-written in French by Roda-Gil and his wife Nadine Delahaye. Waters had begun rewriting the libretto in English in 1989,{{sfn|Manning|2006|p= 256}} and said about the composition: "I've always been a big fan of Beethoven's choral music, [[Hector Berlioz|Berlioz]] and [[Alexander Borodin|Borodin]]&nbsp;...&nbsp;This is unashamedly romantic and resides in that early 19th-century tradition, because that's where my tastes lie in classical and choral music."{{sfn|Blake|2008|p= 392}} Waters appeared on television to discuss the opera, but the interviews often focused on his relationship with Pink Floyd, something Waters would "take in stride", a sign Pink Floyd biographer [[Mark Blake (writer)|Mark Blake]] believes is "a testament to his mellower old age or twenty years of dedicated psychotherapy".{{sfn|Blake|2008|p=392}} ''{{lang|fr|Ça Ira}}'' reached number 5 on the ''Billboard'' Classical Music Chart in the United States.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/2005-10-15/classical-albums|title=Roger Waters: ''Ça Ira''|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=2 January 2013|access-date=17 February 2013|archive-date=20 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130220125330/http://www.billboard.com/charts/2005-10-15/classical-albums|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== 2006–2009: The Dark Side of the Moon Live ===
In June 2006, Waters began the two-year [[The Dark Side of the Moon Live|Dark Side of the Moon Live]] world tour. The first half of the show featured both Pink Floyd songs and Waters's solo material; the second included a complete performance of ''The Dark Side of the Moon'', the first time in more than three decades that Waters had performed it. The shows ended with an encore from the third side of ''The Wall''. The elaborate staging, by the concert lighting designer Marc Brickman, included laser lights, fog machines, pyrotechnics, psychedelic projections, and inflatable floating puppets (Spaceman and Pig) controlled by a "handler" dressed as a butcher, and a full 360-degree [[quadraphonic sound]] system. Mason joined Waters for the ''Dark Side of the Moon'' set and the encores on some 2006 performances.{{sfn|Povey|2008|pp=319, 334–338}}

In March 2007, the Waters song "[[Hello (I Love You)]]" featured in the science fiction film ''[[The Last Mimzy]]''. Waters released it as a single, on CD and via download, and described it as "a song that captures the themes of the movie, the clash between humanity's best and worst instincts, and how a child's innocence can win the day".<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/reminder-pink-floyd-rock-icon-roger-waters-records-hello-i-love-you-original-song-new-712330.htm |title= Reminder&nbsp;– Pink Floyd Rock Icon Roger Waters Records "Hello (I Love You)", an Original Song for New Line Cinema's "The Last Mimzy" |publisher= [[Marketwire]] |date= January 2007 |access-date= 29 June 2015 |archive-date= 4 March 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160304052921/http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/reminder-pink-floyd-rock-icon-roger-waters-records-hello-i-love-you-original-song-new-712330.htm |url-status= live }}</ref> He performed at California's [[Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival|Coachella Festival]] in April 2008 and was to be among the headlining artists at [[Live Earth India 2008#Live Earth India 2008|Live Earth 2008]] in Mumbai, India, in December 2008,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/roger-waters/41209|title=Pink Floyd's Roger Waters to join Bon Jovi at Live Earth India|work=[[NME]]|date=21 November 2008|access-date=2 October 2010|archive-date=6 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101006004623/http://www.nme.com/news/roger-waters/41209|url-status=live}}</ref> but the concert was cancelled following the [[2008 Mumbai attacks|26 November terrorist attacks]] in Mumbai.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/dec/01/live-earth-india-cancelled|title=Live Earth India cancelled after Mumbai attacks|first=Sean|last=Michaels|date=1 December 2008|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=18 October 2010|location=London|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308232829/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/dec/01/live-earth-india-cancelled|url-status=live}}</ref> In April 2008, Waters discussed a possible new album with the tentative name ''Heartland''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.rockymountainnews.com/rocky_mountain_music/2008/04/read_the_complete_roger_waters.html|title=Read the complete Roger Waters interview|first=Mark|last=Brown|work=Rocky Mountain News|date=25 April 2008|access-date=17 October 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100429170452/http://blogs.rockymountainnews.com/rocky_mountain_music/2008/04/read_the_complete_roger_waters.html|archive-date=29 April 2010}}</ref>

===2010s: The Wall Live and ''Is This the Life We Really Want?'' ===
[[File:Roger Waters en el Palau Sant Jordi de Barcelona (The Wall Live) - 01.jpg|thumb|left|alt=Waters on stage wearing sunglasses and a black leather coat. He is holding a microphone up to his mouth.|Waters in [[Barcelona]] during [[The Wall Live (concert tour)|The Wall Live]] in 2011]]In June 2010, Waters released a cover of "[[We Shall Overcome]]", a protest song rewritten and arranged by [[Guy Carawan]] and [[Pete Seeger]]. He performed with Gilmour at the Hoping Foundation Benefit Evening in July 2010.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11556101|title=Pink Floyd may get back together for charity|last=Youngs|first=Ian|date=15 October 2010|access-date=19 October 2010|work=BBC News|archive-date=19 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101019025636/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11556101|url-status=live}}</ref> The set comprised a cover of the [[Phil Spector]] song "[[To Know Him Is to Love Him]]", which was played in early Pink Floyd soundchecks, followed by "Wish You Were Here", "Comfortably Numb", and "[[Another Brick in the Wall (Part Two)]]".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/pink-floyds-gilmour-and-waters-stun-crowd-with-surprise-reunion-20100712|title=Pink Floyd's Gilmour and Waters Stun Crowd With Surprise Reunion|last=Kreps|first=Daniel|date=12 July 2010|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=30 May 2011|archive-date=12 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612144046/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/pink-floyds-gilmour-and-waters-stun-crowd-with-surprise-reunion-20100712|url-status=live}}</ref>

In September 2010, Waters began the [[The Wall Live (concert tour)|Wall Live]] tour, an updated version of the original Pink Floyd tour, featuring a complete performance of ''The Wall''.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8707442.stm |title= Pink Floyd's Roger Waters revisits The Wall |first= Rebecca |last= Jones |work= BBC News |date= 27 May 2010 |access-date= 19 October 2010 |archive-date= 10 February 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210210202732/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8707442.stm |url-status= live }}</ref> At the [[The O2 Arena|O2 Arena]] in London on 12 May 2011, Gilmour and Mason again performed with Waters on "Comfortably Numb", and "Outside the Wall".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.viagogo.co.uk/News/Pink-Floyd-bandmates-reunite-at-Roger-Waters-concert/_A-1710 |title=Pink Floyd bandmates reunite at Roger Waters concert |date=16 May 2011 |publisher=[[viagogo]] |access-date=16 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020033144/http://www.viagogo.co.uk/News/Pink-Floyd-bandmates-reunite-at-Roger-Waters-concert/_A-1710 |archive-date=20 October 2013 }}</ref> For the first half of 2012, the tour topped worldwide concert ticket sales, having sold more than 1.4 million tickets globally.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-18826218 "Roger Waters tops worldwide ticket sales for 2012"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412115758/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-18826218 |date=12 April 2020 }}. BBC News. Retrieved 14 July 2012</ref> By 2013, the Wall Live had become the [[List of highest-grossing concert tours|highest-grossing tour by a solo artist]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/5748070/roger-waters-passes-madonna-for-solo-boxscore-record-with-459m-wall-live|title=Roger Waters Passes Madonna for Solo Boxscore Record with $459M Wall Live Tour|date=4 October 2013|access-date=5 October 2013|last=Allen|first=Bob|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|archive-date=14 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190614073359/https://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/5748070/roger-waters-passes-madonna-for-solo-boxscore-record-with-459m-wall-live|url-status=live}}</ref> Waters performed at [[12-12-12: The Concert for Sandy Relief|the Concert for Sandy Relief]] at [[Madison Square Garden]] on 12 December 2012.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://entertainment.time.com/2012/12/13/sprinsteen-jagger-clapton-sandy-concert/|title=12 Unforgettable Photos from the Epic 12–12–12 Sandy Benefit Concert|magazine=Time|access-date=15 December 2012|date=13 December 2012|archive-date=14 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814133024/http://entertainment.time.com/2012/12/13/sprinsteen-jagger-clapton-sandy-concert/|url-status=live}}</ref> On 24 July 2015, he headlined the [[Newport Folk Festival]] in [[Newport, Rhode Island]], accompanied by the band [[My Morning Jacket]] and two singers from the group [[Lucius (band)|Lucius]].<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Kreps|first1=Daniel|title=Watch Roger Waters Perform With My Morning Jacket at Newport Folk Fest|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/watch-roger-waters-perform-with-my-morning-jacket-at-newport-folk-fest-20150725|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=27 July 2015|date=25 July 2015|archive-date=12 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612144220/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/watch-roger-waters-perform-with-my-morning-jacket-at-newport-folk-fest-20150725|url-status=live}}</ref> Waters performed at the [[Desert Trip]] festival in October 2016.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Grow|first1=Kory|title=Stones, McCartney, Dylan, the Who, Waters, Young Confirm Mega-Fest|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/stones-mccartney-dylan-the-who-waters-young-confirm-mega-fest-20160503|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=4 May 2016|date=3 May 2016|archive-date=11 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111052653/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/stones-mccartney-dylan-the-who-waters-young-confirm-mega-fest-20160503|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Roger Waters en el Zócalo 05.jpg|thumb|Waters performed a series of concerts in [[Mexico City]] in October 2016]]
Waters released his first solo album in nearly 25 years, ''[[Is This the Life We Really Want?]],'' on 2 June 2017.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/7710092/roger-waters-teases-solo-album-is-this-the-life-we-really-want|title=Roger Waters Posts New Tease of First Solo Rock Album in 25 Years, ''Is This the Life We Really Want?''|author=Gil Kaufman|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=3 March 2017|access-date=22 March 2017|archive-date=9 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170309152828/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/7710092/roger-waters-teases-solo-album-is-this-the-life-we-really-want|url-status=live}}</ref> It was produced by the [[Radiohead]] producer [[Nigel Godrich]]. Godrich was a fan of Waters's work with Pink Floyd, but was critical of his solo work and encouraged him to make a concise album showcasing his lyrics.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nationthailand.com/news/life/music/30315906|title=How Pink Floyd's Roger Waters refound his fire at 72 – The Nation|work=The Nation|access-date=25 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180426075819/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/life/music/30315906|archive-date=26 April 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/roger-waters-talks-new-album-moving-past-spectacle-for-tour-w444785|title=Roger Waters Talks New Album, Moving Past 'Spectacle' for Tour|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=25 April 2018|archive-date=26 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180426012247/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/roger-waters-talks-new-album-moving-past-spectacle-for-tour-w444785|url-status=live}}</ref> Waters returned to North America in 2017 with the [[Us + Them Tour]], performing Pink Floyd and solo material.<ref name="roger-waters.com Roger Waters Us + Them">{{cite web|date=October 2016|title=Roger Waters – Us + Them|url=http://www.roger-waters.com/|access-date=24 October 2016|website=roger-waters.com|archive-date=26 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170426172448/http://www.roger-waters.com/|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 26 October 2018, [[Sony Classical Masterworks]] released an adaptation of [[Igor Stravinsky discography|Igor Stravinsky's]] theatrical work ''[[The Soldier's Tale]]'' narrated by Waters.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://consequenceofsound.net/2018/10/roger-waters-soldiers-tale-stravinsky/|title=Roger Waters to release adaptation of Stravinsky's The Soldier's Tale|date=4 October 2018|work=Consequence of Sound|access-date=11 November 2018|archive-date=12 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112064505/https://consequenceofsound.net/2018/10/roger-waters-soldiers-tale-stravinsky/|url-status=live}}</ref> On 18 April 2019, Waters joined [[Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets]] on stage at the [[Beacon Theatre (New York City)|Beacon Theatre]] to sing "[[Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brooklynvegan.com/roger-water-joined-nick-mason-to-play-pink-floyd-at-beacon-theatre-watch/|title=Roger Waters joined Nick Mason to play Pink Floyd at Beacon Theatre (watch)|website=BrooklynVegan|date=19 April 2019 |access-date=19 April 2019|archive-date=19 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419033603/http://www.brooklynvegan.com/roger-water-joined-nick-mason-to-play-pink-floyd-at-beacon-theatre-watch/|url-status=live}}</ref> Waters was one of the ten highest-grossing concert acts of the decade.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pollstar says U2 top touring act over the last decade |url=https://apnews.com/54c9d0998b7b44cb99cd7c019f1844ce |access-date=20 August 2020 |work=AP NEWS |agency=AP |date=22 November 2019 |archive-date=12 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212084110/https://apnews.com/54c9d0998b7b44cb99cd7c019f1844ce |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== 2020s: This is Not a Drill, Pink Floyd disputes and ''The Dark Side of the Moon Redux'' ===
In January 2020, Waters announced a new arena tour, [[This Is Not a Drill]], that would tour North America and finish one month before the [[2020 United States presidential election|2020 presidential election]].<ref name="RWdrill">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/roger-waters-tour-this-is-not-a-drill-941431/|title=Roger Waters Plots North American Tour, Calls on Human Race to 'Change' or 'Die'|last1=Grow|first1=Kory|date=23 January 2020|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=23 January 2020|archive-date=23 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200123225146/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/roger-waters-tour-this-is-not-a-drill-941431/|url-status=live}}</ref> The tour was rescheduled to 2022 due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref name="PostDrill">{{cite web|url=https://rogerwaters.com/tour-postponement/|title=Roger Waters 2020 Tour Postponed|date=27 March 2020|website=Roger Waters official website|access-date=27 March 2020|archive-date=27 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327171618/https://rogerwaters.com/tour-postponement/|url-status=live |author1=Admin }}</ref><ref name="RWcorona">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/roger-waters-tour-postpone-coronavirus-974330/|title=Roger Waters Postpones This Is Not a Drill Tour Due to the Coronavirus|last1=Kreps|first1=Daniel|date=27 March 2020|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=28 March 2020|archive-date=27 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327182659/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/roger-waters-tour-postpone-coronavirus-974330/|url-status=live}}</ref> The concerts were held from July to October 2022,<ref name="rsdrill22">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/roger-waters-tour-dates-2022-1152284/|title=Roger Waters Sets Rescheduled Tour Dates, Teases His 'First Farewell Tour'|last1=Grow|first1=Kory|date=8 April 2021|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=5 May 2021|archive-date=18 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418205550/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/roger-waters-tour-dates-2022-1152284/|url-status=live}}</ref> and expanded with dates in Europe from March to June 2023.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://rogerwaters.com/2023-european-tour/ | title=2023 European tour | work=Roger Waters | date=23 September 2022 | access-date=3 October 2022 | archive-date=2 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002063910/https://rogerwaters.com/2023-european-tour/ | url-status=live | author1=Admin }}</ref> In 2021, Waters said he had begun writing a memoir during the pandemic.<ref name="RSAnimals">{{cite magazine |last1=Greene |first1=Andy |date=1 June 2021 |title=Roger Waters Announces 'Animals' Deluxe Edition, Plans for a Memoir |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/roger-waters-announces-animals-deluxe-edition-plans-memoir-1176303/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=2 June 2021 |archive-date=13 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221013222550/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/roger-waters-announces-animals-deluxe-edition-plans-memoir-1176303/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In December 2022, he released an EP, ''[[The Lockdown Sessions (Roger Waters album)|The Lockdown Sessions]]'', comprising six new versions of songs from his solo career and Pink Floyd.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Richards |first=Will |date=10 December 2022 |title=Roger Waters shares new EP 'The Lockdown Sessions' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/roger-waters-shares-new-ep-the-lockdown-sessions-3364531 |access-date=10 February 2023 |website=NME |language=en-GB |archive-date=8 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108232051/https://www.nme.com/news/music/roger-waters-shares-new-ep-the-lockdown-sessions-3364531 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Waters continued to quarrel with Gilmour.<ref name="Greene-2018">{{Cite magazine |last=Greene |first=Andy |date=10 December 2018 |title=Nick Mason on the State of Pink Floyd: 'It's Silly to Still Be Fighting' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/pink-floyd-nick-mason-talks-roger-waters-david-gilmour-763670/ |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |language=en-US |access-date=27 September 2020 |archive-date=8 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108093832/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/pink-floyd-nick-mason-talks-roger-waters-david-gilmour-763670/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2021, Waters wrote publicly of their disputes over Pink Floyd reissues and credits, accusing Gilmour of distorting the truth, and complained that Gilmour would not allow him to use Pink Floyd's website and social media channels.<ref name="RSAnimals" /> ''Rolling Stone'' noted that Waters and Gilmour had "hit yet another low point in their relationship".<ref name="RSAnimals" />

Early in 2023, Waters gave an interview in which he criticised Pink Floyd's 2022 track "[[Hey, Hey, Rise Up!]]", which was released in support of Ukraine.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 February 2023 |title=Roger Waters Questioned in Depth About Ukraine, Russia, Israel, U.S. |url=https://www.pressenza.com/2023/02/roger-waters-questioned-in-depth-about-ukraine-russia-israel-u-s/ |access-date=6 February 2023 |website=Pressenza |language=en-US |archive-date=8 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208092642/https://www.pressenza.com/2023/02/roger-waters-questioned-in-depth-about-ukraine-russia-israel-u-s/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Shortly afterwards, [[Polly Samson]], the wife of Gilmour and a lyricist for Pink Floyd, wrote on Twitter that Waters was antisemitic and "a lying, thieving, hypocritical, tax-avoiding, lip-synching, misogynistic, sick-with-envy megalomaniac". Gilmour resplied on Twitter: "Every word demonstrably true."<ref name="Willman-2023">{{cite web |last=Willman |first=Chris |date=7 February 2023 |title=Roger Waters Is 'Antisemitic to Rotten Core,' Says Former Pink Floyd Lyricist Polly Samson — and Her Husband, David Gilmour, Emphatically Agrees |url=https://variety.com/2023/music/news/roger-waters-antisemitic-says-polly-samson-david-gilmour-agrees-pink-floyd-ukraine-1235515432/ |access-date=8 February 2023 |website=[[Variety (website)|Variety]] |publisher= |archive-date=7 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207224214/https://variety.com/2023/music/news/roger-waters-antisemitic-says-polly-samson-david-gilmour-agrees-pink-floyd-ukraine-1235515432/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Waters released a statement saying he was aware of the "incendiary and wildly inaccurate" comments and was "taking advice as to his position".<ref name="Willman-2023" /> Asked by [[Piers Morgan]] to respond, Waters said: "No comment. Oh, shut up&nbsp;... They're public, and I'm private."<ref name="Wilkes-2024" />

For the 50th anniversary of ''The Dark Side of the Moon'', Waters recorded a new version, ''[[The Dark Side of the Moon Redux]]'', released on 6 October 2023.<ref name="RollingStoneRedux">{{cite magazine |last=Zemler |first=Emily |date=21 July 2023 |title=Roger Waters to Release 'The Dark Side of the Moon Redux' as a Solo LP in October |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/roger-waters-dark-side-of-the-moon-redux-solo-album-1234793036/ |accessdate=21 July 2023 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |quote=ROGER WATERS HAS re-recorded Pink Floyd's seminal album, The Dark Side of the Moon, and will release it as a solo LP, The Dark Side of the Moon Redux, on Oct. 6 via SGB Music.}}</ref> It features spoken-word sections and no guitar solos, to "bring out the heart and soul of the album musically and spiritually".<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 February 2023 |title=Roger Waters Questioned in Depth About Ukraine, Russia, Israel, U.S. |url=https://www.pressenza.com/2023/02/roger-waters-questioned-in-depth-about-ukraine-russia-israel-u-s/ |access-date=6 February 2023 |website=Pressenza |language=en-US |archive-date=6 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206054318/https://www.pressenza.com/2023/02/roger-waters-questioned-in-depth-about-ukraine-russia-israel-u-s/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Saunders-2023">{{Cite news |last=Saunders |first=Tristram Fane |date=8 February 2023 |title=Roger Waters: I wrote ''The Dark Side of the Moon'' – let's get rid of all this 'we' crap |language=en-GB |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/artists/roger-waters-pink-floyd-dark-side-moon-gilmour-putin-ukraine/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=9 February 2023 |issn=0307-1235 |archive-date=8 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208232625/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/artists/roger-waters-pink-floyd-dark-side-moon-gilmour-putin-ukraine/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In a press release, Waters wrote: "Dave, Rick, Nick, and I were so young when we made [the original], and when you look at the world around us, clearly the message hasn't stuck. That's why I started to consider what the wisdom of an 80 year old could bring to a reimagined version."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Duran |first=Anagricel |date=21 July 2023 |title=Roger Waters announces release of 'The Dark Side of the Moon Redux' as solo album |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/roger-waters-announces-release-of-the-dark-side-of-the-moon-redux-as-solo-album-3471637 |access-date=8 August 2023 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref> In October, Waters held two concerts at the [[London Palladium]], where he performed ''The Dark Side of the Moon Redux'', spoke on topics such as [[Julian Assange]] and read from his unpublished memoir.<ref>{{Cite web |last=O'Connor |first=Roisin |date=9 October 2023 |title=Music critics call out 'awkward' Roger Waters show at London Palladium |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/roger-waters-london-palladium-setlist-length-b2426641.html |access-date=11 October 2023 |website=[[The Independent]] |language=en}}</ref>