Set List Comparison: David Gilmour vs. Roger Waters

The long-standing rivalry between estranged bandmates David Gilmour and Roger Waters has manifested in their distinct approaches to performing Pink Floyd‘s iconic catalog during their recent solo tours. Each artist brings a unique perspective that reflects their individual artistic journeys while drawing from the rich legacy of their former band. Their set lists, although sharing a couple of classic tracks, diverge significantly in style and presentation, showcasing their contrasting philosophies and musical directions.

Gilmour and Waters featured only two songs from their legendary band each night: the emotive title track from 1975’s Wish You Were Here and the timeless classic “Comfortably Numb” from 1979. However, Waters took a bold creative leap during his 2022-23 This is Not a Drill Tour, reinterpreting “Comfortably Numb” by stripping it down to its emotional core, which resulted in a haunting version that notably excluded Gilmour’s iconic closing guitar solo.

David Gilmour Emphasizes His Solo Career While Honoring Pink Floyd

In a brief but impactful four-city, 23-show tour in 2024, David Gilmour showcased a balanced set list that paid homage to both his illustrious solo career and his tenure with Pink Floyd. Gilmour consistently performed the complete tracklist from his 2024 album Luck and Strange, while also highlighting more songs from the 1994 post-Waters Pink Floyd album, The Division Bell, than from the band’s groundbreaking 1973 masterpiece, The Dark Side of the Moon. This strategy not only demonstrated his evolution as an artist but also allowed fans to appreciate his contributions beyond the band.

READ MORE: Discover the Definitive Ranking of Every Pink Floyd Live Album

Gilmour’s set list mirrored a shared custody arrangement over the Dark Side tracks; he performed three songs from the album’s first side, while Waters concluded his shows with the entire second half, including hits from “Money” to “Eclipse.” This division is emblematic of their ongoing rivalry, which continues to engage fans and fuel discussions about their musical legacies.

Gilmour’s stage show was impressively straightforward, featuring a classic circle-shaped video screen that enhanced the visual experience along with cutting-edge lighting and laser displays. One standout moment occurred during “High Hopes,” where giant beach balls were released in sync with their on-screen appearances, creating a joyful atmosphere that resonated with the audience.

Roger Waters Transforms Classic Songs Through Innovative Staging

In true form, Roger Waters elevated the arena concert experience to new artistic heights during his tour, performing in-the-round on a cross-shaped stage adorned with stunning visuals. This innovative approach not only captivated fans but also redefined how classic songs can be interpreted and experienced live. The anticipation for a professionally shot version of this tour is palpable among fans eager to relive the experience in their living rooms.

Waters dedicated a significant portion of his set list—17 songs—to the golden era of Pink Floyd, featuring substantial selections from The Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, and the iconic The Wall from 1979. He also included tracks from his critically acclaimed 2017 solo album Is This the Life We Really Want?, alongside the debut of a brand-new song titled “The Bar,” which appeared at two different points during the performance, adding freshness to his established repertoire.

For a complete overview of the set lists and fan-shot videos from both tours, continue reading below.

Watch David Gilmour Perform ‘Wish You Were Here’

Set List for David Gilmour’s Nov. 9, 2024, Madison Square Garden Concert

1. “5 A.M.” – From Rattle That Lock (2015)
2. “Black Cat” – From Luck and Strange (2024)
3. “Luck and Strange” – From Luck and Strange (2024)
4. “Breathe (In the Air)” – From Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon (1973)
5. “Time” – From Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon (1973)
6. “Breathe” (Reprise) – From Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon (1973)
7. “Fat Old Sun” – From Pink Floyd’s Atom Heart Mother (1970)
8. “Marooned” – From Pink Floyd’s The Division Bell (1994)
9. “A Single Spark” – From Luck and Strange (2024)
10. “Wish You Were Here” – From Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here (1975)
11. “Vita Brevis” – From Luck and Strange (2024)
12. “Between Two Points” – From Luck and Strange (2024)
13. “High Hopes” – From Pink Floyd’s The Division Bell (1994)
14. “Sorrow” – From Pink Floyd’s A Momentary Lapse of Reason (1987)
15. “The Piper’s Call” – From Luck and Strange (2024)
16. “A Great Day for Freedom” – From Pink Floyd’s The Division Bell (1994)
17. “In Any Tongue” – From Rattle That Lock (2015)
18. “The Great Gig in the Sky” – From Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon (1973)
19. “A Boat Lies Waiting” – From Rattle That Lock (2015)
20. “Coming Back to Life” – From Pink Floyd’s The Division Bell (1994)
21. “Dark and Velvet Nights” – From Luck and Strange (2024)
22. “Sings” – From Luck and Strange (2024)
23. “Scattered” – From Luck and Strange (2024)
24. “Comfortably Numb” – From Pink Floyd’s The Wall (1979)

Watch David Gilmour Perform ‘Comfortably Numb’

Watch Roger Waters Perform ‘Wish You Were Here’

Set List for Roger Waters’ Dec. 9, 2023, Estadio Olimpico Atahualapa Concert

1. “Comfortably Numb” – From The Dark Side of the Moon Redux (2023)
2. “The Happiest Days of Our Lives” – From Pink Floyd’s The Wall (1979)
3. “Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2” – From Pink Floyd’s The Wall (1979)
4. “Another Brick in the Wall, Part 3” – From Pink Floyd’s The Wall (1979)
5. “The Powers That Be” – From Radio K.A.O.S. (1987)
6. “The Bravery of Being Out of Range” – From Amused to Death (1992)
7. “The Bar” – New song
8. “Have a Cigar” – From Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here (1975)
9. “Wish You Were Here” – From Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here (1975)
10. “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” (Parts VI-VII, V) – From Wish You Were Here (1975)
11. “Sheep” – From Pink Floyd’s Animals (1977)
12. “In the Flesh” – From Pink Floyd’s The Wall (1979)
13. “Run Like Hell” – From Pink Floyd’s The Wall (1979)
14. “Deja Vu” – From Is This the Life We Really Want? (2017)
15. “Deja Vu” (Reprise)
16. “Is This the Life We Really Want?” – From Is This the Life We Really Want? (2017)
17. “Money” – From Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon (1973)
18. “Us and Them” – From Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon (1973)
19. “Any Colour You Like” – From Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon (1973)
20. “Brain Damage” – From Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon (1973)
21. “Eclipse” – From Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon (1973)
22. “Two Suns in the Sunset” – From Pink Floyd’s The Final Cut (1983)
23. “The Bar” (Reprise) –
24. “Outside the Wall” – From Pink Floyd’s The Wall (1979)

Watch Roger Waters Perform ‘Comfortably Numb’

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