Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters dons ‘Nazi’ outfit again during O2 performance despite protests outside the venue
Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters dons ‘Nazi’ outfit again during O2 performance despite protests outside the venue – as rocker faces investigation from German police for wearing the same black trench coat at a concert in Berlin
- Roger Waters said his performance was clearly to show “opposition to fascism.”
Former Pink Floyd bassist Roger Waters wore his controversial ‘Nazi-esque’ jacket again at his London concert – despite protests outside the O2.
The musician, who is under investigation by German police for wearing a long black trench coat with a red armband at his recent show in Berlin, wore the outfit again last night.
The 79-year-old also reportedly pretended to shoot the crowd with an imitation machine gun during his hits 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, reportedly reminiscent of an SS officer, even as protesters gathered outside the stadium with signs and flags before the show.
Roger Waters reportedly pretended to shoot the crowd with a mock machine gun
He wore the controversial outfit again while performing in London
Waters told the Independent on Saturday: ‘My recent appearance in Berlin has led to attacks in bad faith from those who want to smear me and silence me for disagreeing with my political views and moral principles.’
He added: “The depiction of an unhinged facist has been a hallmark of my shows since Pink Floyd’s The Wall in 1980.
“All my life I have spoken out against authoritarianism and oppression wherever I see it.
‘When I was a child after the war, the name Anne Frank was often mentioned in our house, she became a permanent reminder of what happens when fascism goes unchecked. My parents fought the Nazis in World War II and my father paid the ultimate price.’
It comes after Waters performed in the jacket at Berlin’s Mercedes-Benz Arena on May 17.
Third Reich-style banners also hung from the stage during the concert.
Germany prohibits the display of Nazi symbols, but the country’s laws allow for exceptions for artistic or educational reasons.
Waters, who has worn the outfit at previous shows several years ago, said his performance was clearly to show “opposition to fascism.”
Many protested outside the 02 Arena in London last night before the performance
Protesters gathered outside the stadium with signs and flags before the show
A protester outside the O2 Arena ahead of Roger Waters’ performance on June 6
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 because it “could be used to glorify the Nazi regime.”
German police spokesman Martin Halweg said: “We are investigating the suspicion of inciting public hatred because the clothes worn on stage could be used to glorify or justify the Nazi regime, thereby disrupting public order.”
He added: “The clothing resembles the clothing of an SS officer.”
Waters later tweeted, “The elements of my performance that have been called into question are very clearly a statement against fascism, injustice and bigotry in all its forms…The depiction of an unhinged fascist demagogue has been a hallmark of my shows ever since.” The Wall of Pink Floyd in 1980.’
Waters is playing another show at the O2 tonight as part of his This Is Not a Drill Tour.
MailOnline has reached out to representatives for Roger Waters for comment.