My rant about concert setlists
 

Just the other day I bought tickets to see bon jovi in concert at about 135.00 canadian. It got me thinking about how expensive it is getting to see my favorite people in concert. What is infuriating me is how people like Bon Jovi Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac show a blatant lack of respect for the fans by playing the same songs tour after tour with no attempt to play rare or unrelased songs. I fee like it is "going through the motions" for them. I understand that they have to play some hits or chances are the tours would not be successful. But tthey could still perform som lesser known songs. I have had the pleasure of seeing Melissa Etheridge perform over two nights and the difference in the set lsits was nine songs between both nights. If only more artsists would take chances with their set lists considering how high the prces are getting.:mad:

Just something I wanted to get of my chest.

Matt

I hear you loud and clear. That's why I had no desire to see Ms. Nicks this past go 'round. I don't understand the lack of variety. It makes them look like lazy fools just trying to make the cash so they can go home. What happened to the art of performing? It cracks me up to hear veteran artists crack on younger artists and how the state of the music industry doesn't care about the music anymore, yet they go out on the road without much respect for the music themselves. Resting on your laurels must be the chic thing these days.

yes there is a lot of going through the motions
through many years of concerts
id say thats the number one reason
i dont attend as many as before
unless ive never seen them
then im on it :nod:

I'm not sure this conversation is even worth continuing if Bon Jovi is part of it.
Let's keep this about serious music and talented songwriters.

Well, he's got a nice ass. That has to count for something.

Bon Jovi puts on perhaps the best concert I have ever seen.

Is he Springsteen ? No. Thank God. I hate Springsteen. He is actually a pretty skilled songwriter if you like great party songs and anthems. And he is adorable. And has one of the cutest butts ever. He has more energy in his left foot these days than Stevie does in her entire body.

Funny, I don't mind his lack of variety as much. In my experience it is not as rote. Though, I have only been going to his shows the last three tours. I saw him in Vegas recently (last March) and he played one obscure song and the title track off an as yet unreleased album. Plus two covers. I'd crap my pants if Stevie or FM ever did that.

Well, bless your heart.

I know it sucks to miss your favorite artists in concert, but sometimes you've just got to take a stand for the sake of your own wallet and not bother patronizing artists who only patronize you, and for hundreds of dollars. Fortunately, there are enough great artists out there who do mix things up to keep things interesting for both themselves and their fans, and who don't necessarily charge an arm and a leg to see them.

If Fleetwood Mac opens with the unplugged Chain next year that goes into dreams im gonna fuccking barf!

Okay, since there's no unreleased titletrack in there, I will pee my pants.

Very well said. I agree, and yet, I cannot bring myself to b*tch and complain about it, as it would be most hypocritical of me. I will shell out to see SN and FM for as long as they tour. Yes, I am bored by the setlists, but I am addicted to simply being in their presence. And so I go to the shows, time after time, even though I know the setlist by heart, the in-between-song banter, and every little spin and smile and glance. Because at each show, there is something new and something (at the risk of sounding cheesy) exciting for me - I shake Stevie's hand, she says a few words to me, I stand at the stage right at her feet for the entire show, I get the ribbons off her mic at the end. This past summer, the fact that her voice was stronger and she appeared so happy was worth the price of admission alone. I have not been disappointed at one FM or SN show I've been to in the past two years. But - I was part of that live play-by-play the night she opened in Vegas the first time. I was disappointed that night, because I'd been really hoping there would be a whole new show. But, as many people know, I got over it - and shelled out for the Two Voices tour, and would have gone to a Gold Dust show if one had come near my home...

it doesn't matter to me what these guys play. None of it will work. They're too old. It's a lost cause. Just release some old stuff. :] :]

:laugh:

John or Mr. Locklear?

Richie has a flat, almost non existent butt.:(

Oh no. Poor Heather. :distress:

Well I think you are making an assumption that it's a blatant lack of respect...For instance when I got to a concert of a band that I like, but am not as into as say FM I don't want to hear songs I've never heard...sorry..call it what you want. Had Aerosmith hardly played many hits and a bunch of rarities at the show in 03 when I saw them, I would have been disappointed. The MAJORITY of people at the shows want familiarity...
I happen to have enjoyed the set lists of the FWM and Stevie tours recently...over and over again..show by show...I agree it doesn't hurt to change it up...but you have to realize that probably over half of the paying audience at a Fleetwood Mac show only know the hits.