[ENTERTAINMENT]For instant Pink Floyd, just add Waters

"So you thought you might like to go to the show/To feel the warm thrill of confusion that space cadet glow/Is this not what you expected to see?" Pink Floyd cried out in the song "In the Flesh" from "The Wall."

If you are willing to say "yes" and are now based in Korea, you're in luck. Roger Waters, the former front man of the classic British band Pink Floyd, is on a world tour that includes a stop in Seoul on April 2.

Born in Cambridge, England, in 1944, Waters first started as the bass guitarist for Pink Floyd, one of the most influential bands in history, along with Syd Barrett, who led the band until 1967.

Then came the second era for the band in which Waters took the lead. The 1973 smash hit "Dark Side of the Moon" spent 24 years on the Billboard album chart. "The Wall," 1977, another momentous release, is considered by many "a Roger Waters album performed by Pink Floyd." One album later, Waters pulled out of the band in the 1980s for a solo career.

Most people expected the band to fold up and die without Waters at the creative helm; but just as it went on after Barrett, Pink Floyd also survived Waters leaving, this time led by David Gilmour. But at long last, after four decades, the band leader David Gilmour says the band of Mr. Pink has come to an end, at least as a touring entity.

Waters, who is making his first visit to Korea, is likely also to make this his last, according to the organizer of the local event.

The concert, which seems to be epoch-making for Floyd fans, takes place at 7:30 p.m., April 2, at the Jamsil Olympic Main Stadium, and is scheduled to last for three hours, including a 20-minute intermission. Waters is to present 25 songs, which include those from his solo albums as well.

He is to fill "the first act" with songs about the anguish and despair of human beings, featuring tunes such as "Pigs on the Wing, Part 1" and "Wish You Were Here." For the second act, he is to sing of his philosophy of human beings in the cosmos and nature, with songs such as "Breathe" and "Amused to Death."

As a special event, among those who purchase tickets by Tuesday, 1,000 have a chance to see the movie "The Wall," directed by Alan Parker, screened at Cinehouse in Sinsa-dong, southern Seoul, on Thursday.

After the 1970s, Waters grew skeptical of mammoth concerts. Disillusioned by the excessive idolatry by his fans, Waters prefers now to have concerts with less than 20,000 people. In Seoul, there is seating for about 12,000.

"I hope my fans experience new feelings and inspiration, while they buy tickets, gather friends, get in a taxi or a subway then finally undergo three hours of separation from reality," said Waters of his world tour.

Now it's just up to the fans - getting ready to meet Waters on the dark side of the moon.

Ticket price are 150,000 won ($115), 100,000 won, 75,000 won and 50,000 won. To get to the concert, get off at the Sports Complex on the No. 2 subway line (green) and take exit No. 7. For more info, call 02-399-5888 and for ticket reservations, call 1588-7890 or 1588-1555.

by Chun Su-jin