Roger Waters Newport Folk Festival on July 24 2015

Roger Waters' performance at the Newport Folk Festival on July 24, 2015, was a historic and significant event for several reasons. The festival, known for its rich history in American folk music and its celebration of cultural diversity, provided a unique stage for Waters, a founding member of Pink Floyd, to showcase his music in a very different context.

This performance marked the first time Waters had appeared at Newport Folk, which had previously hosted many legendary artists, but had not been associated with rock musicians of Waters' stature. It was also his first public performance of some of his songs from The Wall in a more intimate, acoustic folk setting, a departure from the massive stadium tours that often accompanied his work with Pink Floyd.

Waters’ performance was billed as an intimate collaboration with various musicians, blending his progressive rock legacy with folk influences. The set included both songs from his time with Pink Floyd, such as Mother and Comfortably Numb, and his solo work, including tracks from his politically charged album Amused to Death. Waters' presence at Newport Folk demonstrated his desire to push artistic boundaries and engage with new audiences, especially at a festival known for embracing social consciousness and activism.

One of the most notable aspects of the 2015 performance was the collaborative nature of the show. Waters was joined by other artists, including his band members and special guests. This mix of folk musicians and rock icons brought a fresh energy to his songs, reinterpreting them in ways that were unfamiliar to many of the audience members who were used to the grandiosity of Waters' traditional performances. The performance of The Wall and other Pink Floyd classics took on a different, stripped-back approach, with acoustic arrangements and a more personal tone.

Additionally, Waters' political activism and engagement with social issues were central to his performance. At the time, he was an outspoken critic of global politics, particularly in relation to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This was reflected in his choice of material and his stage presence, which carried messages of protest and social awareness, themes that are a hallmark of much of his music.

While the performance was a rare and unexpected appearance for the artist at this festival, it showcased Waters' versatility and willingness to engage with different audiences, marking another chapter in his legendary career. The concert was celebrated as a melding of rock history with the folk tradition, illustrating that music, regardless of its genre, can transcend boundaries and bring people together around important ideas.