Set the Controls for the Shanghai Grand Stage

Shanghaiist has learnt that if you synchronize the seminal Pink Floyd record The Dark Side of the Moon with the evening footage displayed on the Aurora building in Lujiazui, certain previously hidden messages are unearthed.

For instance, one of the lines from the song “Money” -- “I'm in the high-fidelity first class traveling set” -- corresponds with a figure on the screen pointing towards the penthouse suites of the Pudong Shangri-La Hotel. Later, when the lyric “All that you buy, beg, borrow or steal” is sung, a spotlight shines from the Aurora building across to a ne'er-do-well trying to nick someone’s camera on the walkway along the Bund. And, of course, everyone knows that “Dark Side” is a synonym for Pudong.

This freaky urban phenomenon is just further reason to be excited about next week’s Roger Waters concert. Okay, so he’s an another ageing rock star in Shanghai’s pantheon of past-their-prime performers, but as someone who grew up on a diet consisting of Frank Zappa double-albums and lesser known works by the Floyd (the soundtrack to More, anyone?), we don’t mind.

The concert will include the aforementioned Dark Side of the Moon album played in full, as well as Pink Floyd classics such as “Sheep” and “Comfortably Numb” (the latter apparently didn’t translate particularly well during the Pink Floyd Ballet the other day). There will also be some solo material, none of which anyone is particularly looking forward to. Actually, that’s not entirely fair: Waters’ Amused to Death record is more than listenable.

Reviews of the recent Australian and New Zealand leg of this same tour have been highly positive.

So, fingers crossed that there is no last-minute cancellation or the sudden appearance of a whole crowd of men in matching caps wanting to watch acrobats.

Roger Waters – The Dark Side of the Moon. February 12. Shanghai Grand Stage. Tickets: from RMB 280. Tel: 5876 6666. Web (tickets): www.eaticket.com. Web (artist): www.roger-waters.com