***SPOILER***Nashville set list

[Mike B]

Originally Posted by rezamatic

So that brings me to a question - do you think that if F-Mac actually did change up their set list to appeal to their more dedicated fans, that overall ticket sales would drop? I mean, are they afraid of this and that's why they don't bother?

I personally don't think it is as much a money issue as it is a performance anxiety issue.

Most casual fans come in expecting to hear the monster hits. But do casual fans do any research before going to see a band like FM? I think they see the brand name "Fleetwood Mac" and that's enough. Once they get inside the door, they are pretty much at the mercy of the band in regards to the setlist. I guess what I'm saying is that as long as the tour isn't advertised as an "Obscurities Tour", they'll probably put the same number of butts in the seats. They may have some very unhappy audience members, but hey, by then, the ticket is sold.

But that is part of the problem. This band definitely feeds off the energy of the audience and this fan response often dictates which songs to drop (RTTG and DLMDA anyone?). So obscure songs = less response = less energy = a terrified band. I would have thought that they would have more confidence in themselves and their music by now, but apparently they don't.

I think it is possible to achieve a balance between playing the mega hits and enough new/obscure songs to keep everyone happy, but FM seems to fall just short of it for me. They really don't have to play 8 + songs from Rumours on every tour.