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General => General Music Discussion => Topic started by: KevShmev on January 14, 2017, 08:07:26 AM
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Has to be a tough thing to do for artists who still tour a lot who had a history of prolific creativity. Look at some classic artists who still tour at least somewhat regularly:
Roger Waters - one album in the last 24 years
Billy Joel - one album in the last 23 years
Moody Blues - last new album was in 2003
Styx - last album of original material was in 2003
Kansas - recently released their first album since 2000
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Kansas has to be pulled aside a little bit from that group. They had wanted to do new material, but Walsh stood in the way. They even did a project called Native Window, which was all the members minus Walsh and "opened" on some Kansas tours to put new material forward to the fans. Then they did a new album immediately after Walsh retired. Only time will tell if they continue with new material in the next few years, but I think they need some slack for now.
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Also, I will add to this list:
Queensryche: After the Tate chronicles they released a new album and at shows to support the album were playing 1-3 songs from it. To me that can really define a nostalgia act, when you have new material and refuse to back it live.
Def Leppard: It was forever ago when I saw them on the X tour, but they played one song from it, while playing most of Pyromania and Hysteria, as has been the case for god knows how many years.
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Rolling Stones and Queen would qualify here.
Air Supply as well. :lol
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Kansas has to be pulled aside a little bit from that group. They had wanted to do new material, but Walsh stood in the way. They even did a project called Native Construct, which was all the members minus Walsh and "opened" on some Kansas tours to put new material forward to the fans. Then they did a new album immediately after Walsh retired. Only time will tell if they continue with new material in the next few years, but I think they need some slack for now.
Native Window, but otherwise accurate. Word on the street is that, yes, they will be continuing to record new music.
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Roger Waters is a different animal though (pun not intended). While he has been touring on material from the 70s, he is not touring continuously, and is selling out arenas, while what I consider to be nostalgia acts (like Styx) seem to be touring casinos and clubs non-stop.
He's also working on a new album:
https://consequenceofsound.net/2017/01/roger-waters-previews-new-solo-album-with-in-studio-clip/
Regarding nostalgia acts... whether or not they need the money, if they enjoy touring on material from the past, and the fans keep showing up, more power to you!
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Rolling Stones and Queen would qualify here.
I would not really list Queen, since it's more than an unique situation; it's not that all of a sudden they said "Well, we have enoug hits, let's tour on those from now on" - they lost to AIDS one of the most charismatic singers in the entire history of music. First they took the hit, then they found some other guest singers and with all the "Queen +" tours found the compromise between wanting to play again (to the point that they even recorded a new album with Paul Rodgers), and avoid the formality of having anyone else than Freddie in the band known as "Queen".
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Rolling Stones and Queen would qualify here.
I would not really list Queen, since it's more than an unique situation; it's not that all of a sudden they said "Well, we have enoug hits, let's tour on those from now on" - they lost to AIDS one of the most charismatic singers in the entire history of music. First they took the hit, then they found some other guest singers and with all the "Queen +" tours found the compromise between wanting to play again (to the point that they even recorded a new album with Paul Rodgers), and avoid the formality of having anyone else than Freddie in the band known as "Queen".
Totally, but, as far as I know, they're touring exclusively on old material.
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I guess it's at that point that the ock stars know what it's like to have a job :lol
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Kansas has to be pulled aside a little bit from that group. They even did a project called Native Construct
I LOVE that group!! I didn't know they were old Kansas members, wow :metal :corn
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Queen doesn't tour somewhat regularly. ;)
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Kansas has to be pulled aside a little bit from that group. They even did a project called Native Construct
I LOVE that group!! I didn't know they were old Kansas members, wow :metal :corn
Native Construct need to accept their status as a nostalgia act already! They can just rest on their laurels.
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up until the last 7 months,
The Monkees given their last new album was in 1996 before Good Times! was released last May.
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Has to be a tough thing to do for artists who still tour a lot who had a history of prolific creativity.
All depends on the group and the circumstances.
There's bands like Iron Maiden, ACDC, and Metallica still releasing albums that are selling by the truckload and playing to audiences as big as they ever have regardless of what they choose to play (the old classics, new stuff or mix of both).
Then there are the acts who still release albums fairly regularly, still sell plenty of tickets, but it doesn't matter how good their new stuff is, (Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Alice Cooper etc.)all the fans generally want to hear is what they were playing 20-40 years ago.
Next are those that essentially reunite, don't need to record anything new, just turn up and play the old greatest hits set to sold out stadiums and everyone (fans, promoters and band) are happy.
I don't feel sympathy for acts that fall into any of the above. The ones I really have a lot of sympathy for are
Groups who have continued to write, record and tour high quality stuff, but for whatever reason are now playing pubs, casinos etc when in their glory days they were selling out stadiums and it doesn't matter what setlist they play nothing can change that.
Finally those performers who have lost the rights to the their band name and can't even sell tickets to a gig while other people are making a living performing songs the original performers wrote and are using the name of the band. Essentially the act now performing is basically a tribute band performing using the original band's name, while the former original members of the band can not perform under their name. The original members of Australian group Little River Band who achieved significant success in the US and Australia in the mid 70s through early 80s are currently going through this. Very, very sad. It's why didn't have any real sympathy for John Payne when Wetton, Downes, Howe and Palmer reformed. It would have been ludicrous if they had been unable to perform those songs using the word Asia in the band's title. I'm pretty sure they chose to perform as Original Asia simply to emphasise that they were the original lineup.
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I think there's a difference between Billy Joel and the rest too. His residency is unprecedented. It's not like he's doing 100 nights a year trotting out the same setlist. He mixes it up. He takes fan requests. And he is basically the "house band" for one of the most famous arenas in the world.
Now, Kiss (who I love), but still....
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I think there's a difference between Billy Joel and the rest too. His residency is unprecedented. It's not like he's doing 100 nights a year trotting out the same setlist. He mixes it up. He takes fan requests. And he is basically the "house band" for one of the most famous arenas in the world.
Yeah, looking at Billy Joel's overall residency of MSG. Out of 37 shows, he's played 100 different songs in his three years of doing a monthly show at MSG. Doesn't look like a nostalgia act to me.
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I think there's a difference between Billy Joel and the rest too. His residency is unprecedented. It's not like he's doing 100 nights a year trotting out the same setlist. He mixes it up. He takes fan requests. And he is basically the "house band" for one of the most famous arenas in the world.
Yeah, looking at Billy Joel's overall residency of MSG. Out of 37 shows, he's played 100 different songs in his three years of doing a monthly show at MSG. Doesn't look like a nostalgia act to me.
How many of those 100 songs were released in the last 25-30 years?
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I think there's a difference between Billy Joel and the rest too. His residency is unprecedented. It's not like he's doing 100 nights a year trotting out the same setlist. He mixes it up. He takes fan requests. And he is basically the "house band" for one of the most famous arenas in the world.
Yeah, looking at Billy Joel's overall residency of MSG. Out of 37 shows, he's played 100 different songs in his three years of doing a monthly show at MSG. Doesn't look like a nostalgia act to me.
How many of those 100 songs were released in the last 25-30 years?
Exactly. He's a top shelf nostalgia act.
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Until recently with Sting (and I am so happy about it) both talked about writing blocks and not writing new material. They toured without staying relevant with new music.
To me, that's what drives me.
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I think once you start doing tours with the gimmick of playing one or two full albums (not NEW albums, mind you) live in their entirety, then you've truly embraced your status as a nostalgia act. I've seen tons of classic rock, and just older rock bands in general doing this over the last decade. Not that there's anything wrong with it, but it's definitely a ticket-seller to get old fans and casual fans in the door.
-Marc.
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One band that comes to mind is Blue Oyster Cult. I saw them about 10 years ago when my friend had a couple of tickets to a local show and said why the hell not. I had actually heard some of their non-hit songs at the time but it was pretty obvious that most of the crowd was there to hear the only three songs they really wanted to. It was at some theater so everyone just seated the entire time until Don't Fear The Reaper came on and everyone just lost their shit. Then they broke into Shootin' Shark and everyone just sat back down until Godzilla and Burnin' For You.
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Funny you say that. I've got a good friend that's a huge BOC fan and I love going with him to see hem still but I totally agree with you.
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Journey has some great new albums, but when they tour they just play their classics. Neal Scion said in a recent interview that they want to go out on a limb and play their new material live, we'll see.. Personally I would love that!
The Who - I saw them last year on tour and it was all classics, mostly a greatest hits tour. They did play three gems from quadrophenia. Amazing show!
REO Speedwagon still playing great concerts but a full on Nostalgia act.
Same can be said for Boston, but they are a step up musically and play some new material along with the classics. One of my favorite live bands for sure!
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Journey is an interesting one. When they have a new album out, they generally do make sure it is represented, even if only by a few songs. It's just that, with them, they tour a fair amount, but don't release albums that often, so they are bound by the hits. But I think they've actually done a decent job of playing new material whenever they have a new album. They also do a good job of including a couple of deep cuts or obscure songs on most tours.
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Yeah, Journey has a great energy about them at this time!
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Def Leppard: It was forever ago when I saw them on the X tour, but they played one song from it, while playing most of Pyromania and Hysteria, as has been the case for god knows how many years.
I was going to say them. I saw them on the X tour as well and I think they played a couple more than 1 song from the album, but I distinctly remember everyone leaving the amphitheater bowl area during those songs. Which sucked, but it hit me about how much people care about thier new music. I saw them again this past year and while they still release new music, they don't perform much of it. Other than the 3 new songs, it was the same set from 15 years earlier. Even though they release new music, they do the same tour every summer in the US so to me that makes them a nostalgia act.
and speaking of Billy Joel, I picked up a couple tickets for his concert in May at MSG :metal
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I think the paradigm here of the opposite is Maiden. They have no compunction of touring an album and playing a good portion of it, but they recognize they have more discography than can be represented in any one show, and will do a "nostalgia" tour in between. I really wish Kiss would do that (I happen to really like the two new albums, Sonic Boom and Monster). I think you could say Rush did this on their way out.
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Def Leppard: It was forever ago when I saw them on the X tour, but they played one song from it, while playing most of Pyromania and Hysteria, as has been the case for god knows how many years.
I was going to say them. I saw them on the X tour as well and I think they played a couple more than 1 song from the album, but I distinctly remember everyone leaving the amphitheater bowl area during those songs. Which sucked, but it hit me about how much people care about thier new music. I saw them again this past year and while they still release new music, they don't perform much of it. Other than the 3 new songs, it was the same set from 15 years earlier. Even though they release new music, they do the same tour every summer in the US so to me that makes them a nostalgia act.
Yeah, I agree with all of that. And as far as people not caring about their new music, not only is that correct, but the band know it and have obviously embraced it. They still write new material because they still feel like they have something to say musically, even if it may not have the edge or the oomph their earlier material had, and because they know that having a new album out is an excuse to continue touring, even if they are only playing a little bit of it. And if it is working, I can respect that. The fans who go to these shows have shown what they want to hear, and the band recognizes that and gives the fans what they want. Heck, I go way back with this band--they were my first real "favorite band" back in the Pyromania days--and I don't really care to hear much new stuff either if I'm going to see them. I would much rather hear stuff from On Through The Night through Hysteria (with a smattering of Retroactive, please!) than anything current. It is what it is.
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Fleetwood Mac comes to mind too. Last album was 2003.
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I think the paradigm here of the opposite is Maiden. They have no compunction of touring an album and playing a good portion of it, but they recognize they have more discography than can be represented in any one show, and will do a "nostalgia" tour in between. I really wish Kiss would do that (I happen to really like the two new albums, Sonic Boom and Monster). I think you could say Rush did this on their way out.
Rush and Iron Maiden seemed to be on a parallel for the second half of their careers. I love that both play monster portions of their latest albums, and are up front for their "themed" setlists.
Iron Maiden can be frustrating in that I accept that every band has 3 or 4 staples played at every show. But it's the constant playing of the secondary tracks.
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Def Leppard: It was forever ago when I saw them on the X tour, but they played one song from it, while playing most of Pyromania and Hysteria, as has been the case for god knows how many years.
I was going to say them. I saw them on the X tour as well and I think they played a couple more than 1 song from the album, but I distinctly remember everyone leaving the amphitheater bowl area during those songs. Which sucked, but it hit me about how much people care about thier new music. I saw them again this past year and while they still release new music, they don't perform much of it. Other than the 3 new songs, it was the same set from 15 years earlier. Even though they release new music, they do the same tour every summer in the US so to me that makes them a nostalgia act.
Yeah, I agree with all of that. And as far as people not caring about their new music, not only is that correct, but the band know it and have obviously embraced it. They still write new material because they still feel like they have something to say musically, even if it may not have the edge or the oomph their earlier material had, and because they know that having a new album out is an excuse to continue touring, even if they are only playing a little bit of it. And if it is working, I can respect that. The fans who go to these shows have shown what they want to hear, and the band recognizes that and gives the fans what they want. Heck, I go way back with this band--they were my first real "favorite band" back in the Pyromania days--and I don't really care to hear much new stuff either if I'm going to see them. I would much rather hear stuff from On Through The Night through Hysteria (with a smattering of Retroactive, please!) than anything current. It is what it is.
That's why it was cool to see the sets they did as their own opening band on that Vegas Residency, Ded Flatbird, where they went to the deeper tracks for a handful of songs - Mirror Mirror, Another Hit And Run. Good stuff. I wish they would just do away with anything after Hysteria, or maybe Retroactive. Adrenalize and later can go away forever as far as I'm concerned.
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Def Leppard: It was forever ago when I saw them on the X tour, but they played one song from it, while playing most of Pyromania and Hysteria, as has been the case for god knows how many years.
I was going to say them. I saw them on the X tour as well and I think they played a couple more than 1 song from the album, but I distinctly remember everyone leaving the amphitheater bowl area during those songs. Which sucked, but it hit me about how much people care about thier new music. I saw them again this past year and while they still release new music, they don't perform much of it. Other than the 3 new songs, it was the same set from 15 years earlier. Even though they release new music, they do the same tour every summer in the US so to me that makes them a nostalgia act.
Yeah, I agree with all of that. And as far as people not caring about their new music, not only is that correct, but the band know it and have obviously embraced it. They still write new material because they still feel like they have something to say musically, even if it may not have the edge or the oomph their earlier material had, and because they know that having a new album out is an excuse to continue touring, even if they are only playing a little bit of it. And if it is working, I can respect that. The fans who go to these shows have shown what they want to hear, and the band recognizes that and gives the fans what they want. Heck, I go way back with this band--they were my first real "favorite band" back in the Pyromania days--and I don't really care to hear much new stuff either if I'm going to see them. I would much rather hear stuff from On Through The Night through Hysteria (with a smattering of Retroactive, please!) than anything current. It is what it is.
That's why it was cool to see the sets they did as their own opening band on that Vegas Residency, Ded Flatbird, where they went to the deeper tracks for a handful of songs - Mirror Mirror, Another Hit And Run. Good stuff. I wish they would just do away with anything after Hysteria, or maybe Retroactive. Adrenalize and later can go away forever as far as I'm concerned.
I have the blu-ray and it includes two Ded Flatbird sets which IMO are better than the main concert (Hysteria).
TAC, I agree IM have a bunch of secondary songs that always seem to make it to their setlists that aren't worthy compared to the rest of the catalogue IMO.
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Yeah, I love Viva Hysteria. It is the very epitome of nostalgia. But as you said, aside from the nostalgia tracks, they DEFINITELY went for some cool deep cuts as well. And contrary to what I said about "new" material earlier, Undefeated might be the best song they have written since Hysteria.
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I think the paradigm here of the opposite is Maiden. They have no compunction of touring an album and playing a good portion of it, but they recognize they have more discography than can be represented in any one show, and will do a "nostalgia" tour in between. I really wish Kiss would do that (I happen to really like the two new albums, Sonic Boom and Monster). I think you could say Rush did this on their way out.
Iron Maiden can be frustrating in that I accept that every band has 3 or 4 staples played at every show. But it's the constant playing of the secondary tracks.
Right there with ya. I wish "Fear of the Dark" would leave the setlist forever. Watching Janick strum imaginary notes as he prances around the stage to that song irks me to no end. Plus, I'd rather see them reach back for one or two deeper cuts. I wasn't a huge fan of the song when the album came out. I definitely don't need to hear it 25 years later.