The Who

[suzieq]

Found on AOL:

http://www.spinner.com/2010/10/04/th...c3_lnk1|175289

I found it intriguing that they are going to change up the show on the same tour so the audience doesn't know what they are going to get. I think I remember reading this about other artists. Maybe it was on this forum somewhere.

[Monstro]

Read the comments below the article, they don't hold back lol

[AndyK]

Can't access the article from work, but there are a number of artists who are known for changing the setlist night after night ... The Rolling Stones and Springsteen are probably the two biggest names. With Springsteen being the most well known exponent of it, not only does he change the written set list taped to the stage each night but he also regularly calls for a song that isn't on the set list mid-show (Band members have been known to say that once he's three songs into the show you might as well just tear up the set list as he'll play what he wants when he wantsto) Bruce even started taking spur of the moment requests from the audience during the last two tours. Other younger bands also mix the set up quite a bit The Gaslight Anthem are one that spring to mind right away.

[Julie in the rv mirror]

Originally Posted by AndyK

With Springsteen being the most well known exponent of it, not only does he change the written set list taped to the stage each night but he also regularly calls for a song that isn't on the set list mid-show (Band members have been known to say that once he's three songs into the show you might as well just tear up the set list as he'll play what he wants when he wantsto)

Bruce's official website posts the handwritten setlists after the show; it's fun to see what he "audibled", although sometimes it's frustrating when you see that he switched out a song that you really wanted to hear. The end of the Magic tour was great, because the setlists were so varied then, besides a small core of of songs, you literally had no idea what to expect. I saw 2 shows a week apart that had 15 different songs between them (about half the show).

Originally Posted by AndyK

Bruce even started taking spur of the moment requests from the audience during the last two tours.

I loved/hated the sign requests. I hated them because, as time went on, some people got carried away with HUGE signs that they held up the entire show (instead of just the time when Bruce collected them), blocking everybody's view. But I loved it, because it was one of the most fun parts of the show, because you never knew what you were going to get. The last tour, it started that at least one of the songs was an old cover (I got Mony Mony twice ), some that the band had never played before. It varied as to how truly "spontaneous" each one was (some songs had been sounchecked prior, or were actually on the setlist), but they played it that way (pretending to work out the chords, etc.), and the vast majority of the audience didn't know any different. It was a lot of fun, but I hope it's run its course.

I read that Elvis Costello did a thing where he had a big wheel on the stage with song titles on it, and members of the audience would get to come up and spin the wheel to pick which song was played.

What the Who are proposing is kind of cool, playing different types of shows on the same tour. The only thing I can see being an issue amongst fans is the idea that you didn't know beforehand what kind of show you were going to get. While the anticipation would be fun, I can see people complaining if they didn't get what they wanted, or saw the same show twice. I say this, because I remember last year when it first came out that Springsteen might be doing the full album shows. People (especially multi-show goers) voiced a preference for wanting to know in advance which album it would be. In fact, when they did announce the shows, in most cases after the tickets had been sold, many people were upset that they didn't get the album they most wanted to hear, or the same album multiple times. (I saw Born to Run twice, which was cool, but I would have liked to have seen a different album instead.)

[AndyK]

Originally Posted by Julie in the rv mirror

Bruce's official website posts the handwritten setlists after the show; it's fun to see what he "audibled", although sometimes it's frustrating when you see that he switched out a song that you really wanted to hear.

Yeah there's always a show that you're not at that has a "better" setlist isn't there? The grass is always greener lol.

I loved/hated the sign requests.

I'm sure Lucy! will be along at some point with a link to the youtube video of of "her" song (and sign) from Dublin 2 last year ...

It varied as to how truly "spontaneous" each one was (some songs had been sounchecked prior, or were actually on the setlist), but they played it that way (pretending to work out the chords, etc.), and the vast majority of the audience didn't know any different. It was a lot of fun, but I hope it's run its course.

Yeah I know, convenient how there was a sign handy for the songs that had been rehearsed, wonder who wrote them? Bruce, Clarence, Stevie, Kevin

In fact, when they did announce the shows, in most cases after the tickets had been sold, many people were upset that they didn't get the album they most wanted to hear, or the same album multiple times. (I saw Born to Run twice, which was cool, but I would have liked to have seen a different album instead.)

I'd refer to know which album I was getting, to give me the option of going or not, although I'd probably end up going anyway. Even if it was Lucky Town night.

[allrevvedup]

The Who would definitely be on my 'bucket list' in terms of concerts to see, so hopefully they play a show in Dublin.

My Brother saw them a few years ago at the Oxygen festival and said they were brilliant live.

[Julie in the rv mirror]

Originally Posted by AndyK

Yeah there's always a show that you're not at that has a "better" setlist isn't there? The grass is always greener lol.

I stopped looking after I found out that we "lost" Racing twice , although I did get it eventually. Then I missed Incident by one show! Or the time we heard them soundcheck both Incident and Lost in the Flood, and got neither. I still love whatever he plays, though.

Originally Posted by AndyK

I'm sure Lucy! will be along at some point with a link to the youtube video of of "her" song (and sign) from Dublin 2 last year ...

Cool! What song was it?

Originally Posted by AndyK

Yeah I know, convenient how there was a sign handy for the songs that had been rehearsed, wonder who wrote them? Bruce, Clarence, Stevie, Kevin

I think they might have saved some of them (I only ever saw him give one back)- notice how there was that pile next to Max's drum kit? It seemed like there was a "next night" phenomenon- he'd take a sign one night, and it would get played the next or a few nights later, presumably after they had a chance to practice it. Some people would purposely bring a sign for a song that had been rehearsed; some might have been planted- doesn't matter. I did see one that I do think was totally spontaneous (I was at this show), though- notice the hand signals for the chord changes (and they nailed it):

YouTube Video

Originally Posted by AndyK

I'd refer to know which album I was getting, to give me the option of going or not, although I'd probably end up going anyway. Even if it was Lucky Town night.

I'd want to know mostly if I was traveling to a show, or deciding which one to go to. If it was a local show, I'd go regardless. I'd actually dig Lucky Town night- the title track is one of my faves.