Roger waters shows his dark side in o2 spectacular

They showcased classics like "Shine on You Crazy Diamond", "Another Brick" and "Sheep" with admirable gusto and flair. There was even a nod to Water's early psychedelic days, and the late Syd Barrett, with 1968s "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun".

Water's preachy tendencies surfaced occasionally with some scathing, although laudable, anti-war messages, notably on "Bring the Boys back Home". The impact of such overt politicking is debatable but fortunately for him this crowd was already converted.

He's always had a long-faced view on life, something put to good use when he wrote most of Pink Floyd's seminal albums, including Wish You Were Here, The Wall and Dark Side of the Moon.

The last, played here in its entirety for the last time, was a storming run-through of a classic album, giving younger audience members some memories to cherish.

But there was a nagging sense of something missing and it was on the extended guitar solos that you realised Floyd songs just aren't the same without Dave Gilmour.

His influence, underlined by the fact that three guitarists were needed to fill the sonic landscape he created during the band's 1970s heyday, was especially evident on the closing "Comfortably Numb".

Despite the best efforts of White, and fellow guitarists Dave Kilminster and Chester Kamen, you still waited for Gilmour's trademark fluid playing and familiar voice.

When the Water-less Floyd, led by Gilmour, released "A Momentary Lapse of Reason" back in 1988, the bassist described it as "a fair forgery". You could say the same about Waters' latest production.

A surrogate band? Maybe, but none the less enjoyable for that.

simon.hayes@wharf.co.uk