Sending KISS Out On Top

Let’s face it---the hottest band in the land is not getting any younger. And while their two most recent members may be youthful in comparison to the founding fathers, KISS is not KISS without Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley. I don’t care what garbage Gene spews about how the band could carry on without them. That’s baloney! KISS without Gene or Paul might as well be a tribute act.

Taking that into consideration, and given the current age of the two KISS centerpieces (Gene is 65, Paul is 63), the countdown clock is ticking fast. Given all that they have accomplished in the last 40 plus years I don’t think that the band has anything to prove to anyone. They could walk into the sunset tomorrow, focus on other projects in their lives, and still go out as being one of the best bands to ever play rock and roll music. Yet, my love for this band has me thinking that they should really depart at the top of the mountain (a place they have been to several times in their careers).

It’s no secret that attendance at KISS shows is waning, especially in the United States. Last year (2014) the band had to take Def Leppard on the road with them in order to drum up excitement for their tour. They continue to play the same tired setlist year in and year out and refuse to perform any deep cuts or new songs. I honestly cannot understand why they aren’t playing songs from Sonic Boom or Monster, as both albums were incredible and contain plenty of concert-worthy tracks. That, however, is another rant for another day. KISS is near the end and as a lifelong fan of the band I would love to see them go out on the very top, ala The Rolling Stones, or Bruce Springsteen. I would like them to be recognized as the cultural icons they are. I would love to see them finish on a high note and then walk off into the sunset, arriving occasionally to perform a festival here, or a short tour there.

There is a way that KISS can do this. Go out with their heads held high and their legacy intact. Leave as the kings of the mountain. And leave the fans screaming for more. It won’t be easy. And it would mean a 2-3 year commitment of epic proportions. I’m talking commitments like they did in the mid-70s. But all of the hard work will come with a fantastic reward. Sold out shows across North America and in some instances, perhaps even 2 or 3 sold nights in a row. In order to achieve this, the theatrics are going to have to depart and the heavy emphasis will need to be on the music (as it always should be anyway).

First and foremost, for this final tour to work, KISS would have to lose their signature makeup and costumes. I know, I know, some fans are crying blasphemy, and others are crafting death threat e-mails for even suggesting such a thing. But let’s be honest, the makeup gimmick was for a younger band. Do we really like seeing Gene in leather pants? Do we love to see Paul’s 63 year old chest hair? I know I don’t. Put some clothes on for crying out loud! And remember, the heart of this band has been, and always will be, the music. Long before I knew of their bombastic performances and theatrical look, I loved KISS’ music. That has never changed. 

I often point to their acoustic convention tour, which led to the MTV Unplugged performance, as one of the highlights of this band’s storied career. And that brings me to my next point. KISS should consider an acoustic set. It doesn’t necessarily mean that there has to be 2 sets. The band could do an acoustic bridge in the middle of their concert. It worked for Alive IV. Perhaps even set up a second stage for the more intimate portion of the night. “Goin’ Blind,” “World Without Heroes,” and “”See You Tonight” could make reappearances into the set for the first time in 20 years (not counting the KISS Kruise, of course). Or better yet, KISS could tryout some different songs in the acoustic portion. “Mr. Speed” anyone? “She.” “Forever.” “Let’s Put The X In Sex.” The list could go on and on. There is an endless supply of hit songs and forgotten songs that KISS could dust off for an acoustic performance.

Then the band could go right back to the electric groove. Open with a few classic songs in the electric setting, move over to the acoustic setting, and finish strong with a mixture of deep cuts and huge hits. Which is another point of contention that I must bring up---KISS needs to mix up their set structure. They have performed the same rotation of tired songs in the same spots for the last decade. At least in America that has been the case. Sure, they might mix in one or two new songs and play the occasional 80s hit, but that’s it. There are no surprises left. I know “Rock And Roll All Night” is going to end the show. I know Paul is going to fly over the audience and perform “Love Gun.” I know “Detroit Rock City” is going to be performed for the umpteenth time. In order for this band to go out on the very top, they have to take risks. Those risks include turning the setlist completely on its rear. And don’t forget the deep cuts and lost classics.

Now it is time to get my geek on. I ran the numbers. KISS has 217 recorded songs to choose from when making a setlist. This does not include any of their solo material. By way of comparison, The Rolling Stones have 439, Springsteen has 212, and U2 has 162. Do you know whose setlist varies the least from tour to tour? If you said KISS, you win a kewpie doll!

Here is the number of varying songs over the last four years:  5. Only 5 songs were different over the last four year’s worth of setlists. Out of the average of 20 songs performed per concert, 10 of them were performed each year, 13 of them were performed 3 out of 4 years, and 15 of them were performed 2 out of 4 years. The songs that were performed only one year: “Say Yeah,” “Hide Your Heart,” “Firehouse,” “Heaven’s On Fire,” and “Do You Love Me.” Out of those songs, three of them were too overplayed to begin with, leaving only “Say Yeah,” and “Hide Your Heart” as real surprises.

The common songs were more than plentiful. The 10 songs that were played each and every year included “Detroit Rock City,” “Shout It Out Loud,” “I Love It Loud,” “War Machine,” “God Of Thunder,” and “Lick It Up.” Look those are all classic KISS songs, I get it. But I am so tired of hearing “War Machine,” and “Lick It Up.” They are too overplayed! When you have 217 songs to choose from and you can only play 10 percent of them live on any given night, why would you continue to perform the same songs year after year? “Detroit Rock City” could easily be replaced with “Makin’ Love” or “King Of The Nighttime World.” “I Love It Loud,” could be booted for “Within.” All of the overplayed songs could be replaced with some real gems!

The bottom line is that KISS needs to add more variety and depth to their sets. They have a vast catalog of under-performed or never performed songs that need to be revisited. Do you know when the last time “Flaming Youth” was played live? 1976 (unless you count the aforementioned Kiss Acoustic Convention tour – it was played once or twice by fan request). Do you realize that KISS has never performed a song from Carnival Of Souls live? Never! There is some good material on that record! No songs on (Music From)The Elder have been performed live since 1981. And those were TV appearances only!

Every other band with a catalog of material as vast as KISS’ varies their setlist from tour to tour, if not from show to show (ala Springsteen). It keeps the fans coming back. KISS, however, puts on the same choreographed concert, year after year. If they want to go out on top, that has to stop! Perhaps my love for the band has made me cynical, but I truly believe that if they were to focus on just the music for one tour, it could be their best tour ever. It’s no secret that the band is nearing the end of the line. How many years do they have left, honestly? Why not focus on what truly matters the most---the music? Why not give the fans one last real treat before riding off into the sunset? Personally, I think it would be the best gift ever given to us by the band. It is my hope and wish that KISS will find it in their musical souls to take this one last challenge and deliver the concert of a lifetime.

Friday's Rockin' Roundup - Earth Day Edition

Although today, April 22nd, is Earth Day, didn’t this day use to fall on April 21st? I know that it did, thanks to the song “What Are We Gonna Do?” by Dramarama. Come on, you guys remember that song, don’t you?

It’s April 21st and everybody knows today is Earth Day…Merry Christmas…Happy Birthday to whoever’s being born today.

Great song! However, I bring this up not to mention the fantastic song by Dramarama, but to note the change of date for Earth Day. When this song came out, Earth Day was obviously on April 21st! When did it change to April 22nd? What happened that caused the shift? Did we move the date of Earth Day around the same time that we declared Pluto is no longer a planet?

Today is also Good Friday. Did you know that this is the first time ever that Earth Day and Good Friday share the same day? That’s something to ponder. It’s probably because the date of Earth Day recently changed. I wonder if Dramarama can do a sequel to “What Are We Gonna Do?”

Here’s what rocked this week:

Is Acthung Baby Better Than The Joshua Tree?
Over at 3 Minutes, 49 Seconds, author Paul Allen makes that very statement when he claims that Achtung Baby is U2s greatest record ever. While I think it’s an amazing album, there is no way that it is better than The Joshua Tree. What do you think?

Rihanna Rules The Charts Again
With her tenth number one single, Rihanna is ruling the charts this week thanks to the love for her latest single, "S&M." Lady Gaga’s latest song, "Judas," is hot on Rihanna’s heals. Fans just love these ladies. I’ll admit that I like their music too. Most of their songs are just plain catchy!

Boo Hoo For Ticketmaster/Live Nation
A great post over at Blogs N Roses regarding the staggering losses that Ticketmaster/Live Nation took last summer due to a “poor summer concert series.” Awwww. I feel so bad for them --- NOT! Here’s an idea on how you can avoid a “poor summer concert series”---lower your prices! Argh! Ticketmaster never ceases to aggravate me.

Motley Wants You To Decide The Setlist
This can be very good or very bad. While I think it’s a wonderful idea to let the fans choose the setlist for this summer’s tour (via fan votes), it could lead to a very boring, greatest hits, no deep tracks, setlist. I hope the fans are inept enough to choose more than “Home Sweet Home,” “Dr. Feelgood,” and “Kickstart My Heart.” Instead how about a little “Merry Go Round,” “God Bless The Children Of The Beast,” into “Helter Skelter,” and “New Tattoo.” That would kick some ass! Let’s hope the fans get it right. I’ve put my votes in.

Every Album Challenge Update
Records Played: 20
Albums Remaining: 2,033

A Nice Site To Visit: The Spaghetti Incident

Do you like setlists? Do you like the odd bit of commentary here and there? Do you enjoy finding setlists of bands that other sites do not cover? If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, then The Spaghetti Incident is the site for you.

Whether he’s covering modern alternative bands like Weezer or My Chemical Romance, classic rock bands like U2 or Meatloaf, or modern pop stars like Lady Gaga, Jimmy Jangles (author of thespaghettiincident.com) is laying out the latest news and setlists for all to enjoy.

And the setlists aren’t just limited to what’s being toured in America. The Spaghetti Incident has U2’s latest tour of New Zealand covered, as well as Meatloaf in Ireland, and Bon Jovi in Australia. Want to know what some of your favorite bands have been playing overseas? This is the site to visit to get all the answers. Being a setlist junkie, I was immediately drawn to thespaghettiincident.com. I love to learn what bands are performing night in and night out and how they are keeping their shows fresh and entertaining (to themselves) while still packing in the hits that the fans expect to hear.

Before each setlist is posted, Jimmy Jangles is nice enough to provide a little commentary of the concert. He explains where the band is, where they’ve been, and what portion of their current tour the concert was for. It sets the post up nicely as the reader is able to get into the mindset of the current tour and see how the bands change things up night after night.

From Paul McCartney to Metallica, Bad Religion to Ozzy Osbourne, thespaghettiincident.com has it all. If you’re curious about what was played at a certain concert, this is the site to check first (especially if the concert was overseas). Have a setlist that you don’t see posted? The Spaghetti Incident invites you to share. Jimmy Jangles will make sure the list goes up and is registered for permanent posterity. What more could you ask for?

What? That’s not enough? Well then, The Spaghetti Incident invites you to share your own concert experience. You can contribute a post to The Spaghetti Incident detailing what your night at your favorite show was like (and of course, include the setlist). While you won’t get paid for your contribution, you will get a little notoriety on the World Wide Web and your words will be seen by a rather large audience. That’s not a bad trade off.

You can check out The Spaghetti Incident (and all the wonderful archived setlists) by clicking here: www.thespaghettiincident.com

Comments are open. Feel free to post some.

The Triple Threat of Buckcherry, Three Days Grace, and Nickleback

This is a guest post from Metal Eddie. Previously the metal one posted about Sully Erna’s solo CD.

We were hanging on to the last days of summer getting pumped to see a killer show of Buckcherry, Three Days Grace and Nickelback. I planned to leave work early so I could pick up my son and bring him to my In-Laws for a few hours till my wife got out of work. I went to get my buddy, Jay, in Rochelle Park and then we were headed to the local gin mill until his friend Mike and Mike’s girlfriend got out of work.

While hanging out of the bar drinking a few beers we ordered Irish Nachos. What are Irish Nachos you say? They are your standard Nachos with the addition of potatoes and they rock! So, the beer was flowing and time was ticking away. The bar was in Maywood, New Jersey and we needed to get to Newark, NJ, which is a decent ride away. We met up with Mike and headed out to the Prudential Center. The ticket read that the doors open at 6:15 and we estimated getting there around 6:45 thinking that the show would start at seven.

We found parking right by the building at 6:40 which left us thirty dollars lighter, but we were off. Here comes the fun! Immediately, we noticed a long line to get in. We heard security yelling to put all chains away, get the keys and cell phones out, guys on the right ladies on the left. I was thinking “What the hell? Where are the good old days of one line in a fast pat down and that’s it?”

As we made our way up the escalator to the first level I heard Buckcherry performing. I turned to Jay and said that there was no way they were on already. It was 6:45 as we made our way to the seats. Buckcherry were finishing “Lit Up”. We were all kind of puzzled about what was going on. Why were we hearing “Lit Up” at 6:45. I’ll tell you why. It’s because Buckcherry came on at 6:15 when the doors opened. How sad is that boys and girls? We missed most of the set list, but we did catch four songs from them.

The stage was a regular stage with a long runway attached to it and a space for bands to rock out at the end of it. For some reason, Buckcherry nor Three Days Grace took advantage of this space. Could it be that they were not allowed to use it?

Here is the set list for Buckcherry who went on first to my surprise:

Talk to Me
Rescue Me
All Night Long
Everything
Next 2 You
Lit Up
These Things
It's a Party
Dead
Sorry
Crazy Bitch

I have to say that Buckcherry were weak at best. They looked burnt out and tired with no energy at all. Is it that they are tired of being a supporting band? Why aren’t they a headline act? Things better change or I think they will lose a huge following.

On to a band that I love and have never seen before – Three Days Grace I don’t really hear much about this band and it’s a shame. They too were not going up and down the cat walk. Why? But they gave one hell of a show for a four piece band. Every song was rocking! They kicked it off with “I Hate Everything About You”. The crowd went nuts singing along to every note. The energy picked up from the lack of showmanship from Buckcherry.

Lead singer Adam Gontier’s voice was on key without any flaws. It was very impressive as was the band. It was like listing to one of their CDs. Adam worked the crowd like a pro. He reminded me of Bruce Dickinson from Iron Maiden. He was running all over the stage singing his heart out. I hope that these guys hit it big someday and headline their own tour, they deserve it. My only regret is that they didn’t play longer. Here is their setlist:

I Hate Everything About You
Break
The Good Life
World So Cold
Pain
Home
Last To Know
Never Too Late
Riot
Animal I Have Become

Now up to that point I was telling everyone that I didn’t care if I saw Nickelback or not. I saw them open for Bon Jovi a few years back and they were good. I have to admit that I was wrong for having that kind of attitude toward Nickelback. They rocked the house down with a solid sound and strong setlist. The boys were joking with the crowd having a few beers and paying homage to some of their rock heroes such as Journey and Bon Jovi. They also strummed along to Garth Brooks. You can find the setlist below. Like I said they are a great band but there is something about them that I just can’t put my finger on.

Nickelback’s Setlist:
Burn It to the Ground
Flat On The Floor
Photograph
Savin' Me
Shakin' Hands
Something in Your Mouth
This Afternoon
Friends In Low Places (Garth Brooks cover)
If Today Was Your Last Day
Don't Stop Believing (Journey cover)
Rockstar
Animals
How You Remind Me
Too Bad
Encore:
Gotta Be Somebody
Wanted Dead or Alive (Bon Jovi cover)
Someday
Figured You Out

Ryo’s Note: I wonder if Nickelback performed Wanted Dead or Alive in honor of playing in Bon Jovi’s home state. What I can’t believe is that Buckcherry went on first and that they started right at 6:15. That last part is most shocking to me. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a concert start at the exact time listed on the ticket – not even an opening act. What a surprise that must have been for everyone!

Dave Matthews Band - July 17, 2010

Quite possibly one of the best concerts I ever attended. This amazing performance by Dave Matthews Band should end up in the top 10 performances when I sit down to analyze all of the concerts that I’ve seen.




Up until last Saturday, I had never been to Citi Field. I had also never seen Dave Matthews Band in a stadium setting. On a hot July night, both wishes were granted. Thanks to a phone call and an extra ticket from my buddy Tim, I was able to attend the sold out show at Citi Field. It’s nice to have good friends.

Tim, his friend Todd, and I were all heading into New York to see the show. We met at Tim’s in the early afternoon and then took off for Citi Field, with Tim at the wheel. Our trip to New York was quite adventurous for two reasons. One is that Tim is a maniac driver. He is the typical protégé Jersey madman. You know, the one that weaves in and out of traffic, tailgates, speeds, jams the breaks at the last minute – yep, that one. Fortunately for me, Todd was sitting in the front. I stayed in the backseat.

The second reason for our adventure was the traffic. Once Tim discovered that there was a huge backup getting to the George Washington Bridge, he immediately decided to take the Lincoln Tunnel and cut through midtown Manhattan in order to get to the Queens Midtown Tunnel, which would then take us to Citi Field. However, with Tim at the wheel, the ride was quite exciting. I believe my eyes were closed for most of the trip.

Once we got through Midtown and got to Citi Field, we drove right past it. Tim knew of a free parking area just a few blocks from the stadium. As a Mets fan, he had been parking there for years. It was an excellent place to park. Right under a bridge, the area was well shaded with a breeze. On a 94 degree summer afternoon, this was fantastic! We immediately fired up the grill, pulled out the cold beer, and started the tailgating festivities.

After a couple hours of hanging out, drinking, talking and eating, we were ready to head into the show. At least Todd and I were. Both of us were interested in seeing the Zac Brown Band, while Tim did not really care. We dragged him in anyway.

We go to the gates and excitement coursed through my body. What would Citi Field be like on the inside? As a huge baseball fan, I’ve enjoyed seeing all of the new stadiums and each one has been a magnificent work of art. Citi Field was no different. Huge cavernous hallways that led to the seats were the first thing that I noticed. The wide open space was a welcome change from the narrow enclosed pathways the old stadiums were known for. The new stadiums (Citi Field included) are big on open airways, so fans could still see the game while ordering a hot dog. The bottom line, Citi Field, which was modeled after Ebbets Field the old Brooklyn Dodgers facility, was gorgeous. I was impressed.

After walking the stadium, we found our way to the seats, which were excellent. We were to the right of the stage in section 106. The band was set up in dead center field and our seats were in right field, about 20 rows from the field. We had a great view of the performers, and of course, there were two giant big screens to the left and right of the stage that gave us a perfect view of the performance.

We were able to hear a few songs by the Zac Brown Band, who played for almost an hour. The songs that stood out were a blistering cover of The Devil Went Down To Georgia and Rage Against The Machine’s Killing In The Name Of. That one blew me away. I was very impressed that a: they decided to do it, and b: that they did such an incredible version. The Zac Brown Band has something going on and they are going to make some noise in the coming years.




After The Zac Brown Band, we settled in for the event of the evening, The Dave Matthews Band. I was giddy – smiling, enjoying the sunset, and waiting. We made predictions of what time the band would go on, I guessed 8:45, Todd guessed 8:50. Tim didn’t render a guess, he just drank another beer. I think the band went on at 8:47, which was a split between both of our guesses. The opening notes of The Stone filled the air and the crowd roared. I, however, did not roar. The Stone is one of my least favorite DMB songs and when the band opened with it, I was worried that it was going to be a long night.

Looking down at the General Admission section of the field made me thankful to have an actual seat. The GA section was wall to wall people wedged into each other like cattle. With the heat of the day slowly evaporating, the pit must have been an awful experience. Were I in there, I would definitely have trouble breathing.

After The Stone, the band moved onto a number that I enjoyed a lot more. Warehouse was song number two, which was actually quite a surprise. I immediately changed my thoughts from earlier, thinking that this could be one special show. Dave Matthews Band obliged and did not disappoint from that moment forward. One Sweet World, Funny The Way It Is, Seek Up, Seven, Squirm, and Crash Into Me. Were performed next. It was the perfect blend of old and new. The band did an incredible version of Seek Up, and I had never witnessed that song live before, so it was a real treat for me.




Seeing Dave Matthews Band in a stadium setting is an excellent way to enjoy the band live. This is mainly due to the fact that the pot smoke doesn’t surround you and hang like a cloud of death overhead. In an outdoor setting, the pot smoke drifts upward and onward, and I can still breathe easy. That in itself is a delightful feeling. I think the band has more energy in the stadium setting as well (if that’s possible). They chose powerful songs, but didn’t stray from the beloved ballads either. We got Crash Into Me and Satellite in the same concert, a superb treat.

Five songs from their latest album Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King were performed, which was all right by me. I love the new album and this was my first opportunity to hear the songs live after owning it. The right classics from all the way back to the beginning of the band’s history through modern classics (You Might Die Trying) were performed with perfection. I can’t recall the last time the band sounded this amazing. The closest comparison I can come up with is Live Trax volume 2, when DMB played Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. That is their best performance on disc, and this Citi Field performance topped that. If I get any say, DMB needs to release these two nights at Citi Field as their next Live Trax series.




The main set closed with an intense version of Stay (Wasting Time) followed by an excellent Two Step. The encore consisted of Some Devil (Dave solo), Shake Me Like A Monkey, and a blistering cover of All Along The Watchtower, which DMB performs with such passion. It’s always a great version, and this one was no exception.

Dave Matthews Band at Citi Field was the highlight of my concert year thus far. The happiness I felt at the end of the evening is near indescribable. Walking out of the stadium I told Todd and Tim that was the best performance of the band I’ve ever seen, and I meant it. If I ever get the opportunity to see them in a stadium again, I will jump at the chance. The concert was utterly fantastic and if this is the last time I see DMB for a while (they are taking 2011 off), it’s a hell of a way to go out.

Setlist
The Stone
Warehouse
One Sweet World
Funny The Way It Is
Seek Up
Seven
Squirm
Crash Into Me
You Might Die Trying
Proudest Monkey
Satellite
Spaceman
Dancing Nancies
Grave Digger
Stay (Wasting Time)
Two Step
Encore
Some Devil
Shake Me Like A Monkey
All Along The Watchtower

Iron Maiden - July 11, 2010

The drunk in the men’s room said it best, “This is serious rock and roll!” And while I don’t feel he needed to repeat that phrase as many times as he did, I totally agree with his sentiment. Iron Maiden is serious rock and roll. And on a hot July night in Holmdel, New Jersey, the band set out to prove it yet again.

Iron Maiden never seems to get the credit they deserve. They are a touring force to be reckoned with. They still record relevant new music. They have a legion of devoted fans. Yet, radio ignores them, music critics don’t take them seriously, and retail record stores barely stock their albums.

But once again, at a sold out concert, Iron Maiden ruled the night. For this tour, known as The Final Frontier Tour (named after their forthcoming album), Iron Maiden were playing a lot of songs from their past 3 records. This initially did not go over well with fans, as message boards were peppered with negative comments. However, as Iron Maiden performed these songs live, every fan in attendance was singing, clapping their hands, and doing whatever Bruce Dickinson demanded of them.

As for the songs themselves, they were played with the power and energy that we’ve come to expect from this magnificent group. Opening song, The Wicker Man, found the amphitheater crowd screaming their lungs out and singing along with every word. The follow up, Ghost of the Navigator, was also well received. These fans were in all their glory witnessing one of the greatest live heavy metal bands of all time.



Maiden threw us all a curveball next. They deleted Brighter Than A Thousand Suns from the setlist and opted to perform Wrathchild instead. It received a huge roar of approval. The song sounded great live and the fans loved the inclusion of the early classic.

The night belonged to the modern classics though. Dance of Death, These Colours Don’t Run, Wildest Dreams, Brave New World, No More Lies, Blood Brothers, and The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg were all performed before another “classic” track would be played. And for all the negativity on the internet, the New Jersey crowd didn’t seem to mind the setlist one bit. Everyone sang the modern hits as Iron Maiden celebrated their last decade of music. There was also the inclusion of one new song (from their forthcoming album), El Dorado. A decent song that has me yearning for the new album to be released.



Bruce made mention of the fact that this show was sold out as well as the next night’s show at Madison Square Garden. He was proud that the band sold out these concerts. I’ve always thought that Maiden feels that have something to prove in the US, ever since the nasty comments Sharon Osbourne made about the band’s ability to tour in the states (back in 2005). It’s that chip on their shoulder that keeps them coming back strong.

We had lawn seats for this concert, and as the night wore on, my personal space got more and more invaded. At one point, I was practically hugging the guys in front of me due to having nowhere else to go. If I were surrounded by gorgeous women, this may have been less of a problem. Unfortunately, my section of the lawn contained nothing but big, sweaty dudes. And when you’re in tight quarters, big sweaty dudes suck.

We persevered and rocked on with Maiden in spite of the heat and sweat. Bruce Dickinson continued to rule the stage and the night. After the new hits were played through, it was time for some older Maiden. Fear of the Dark started a string of classic cuts, and the crowd went bezerk! It’s hard to believe that they had that much energy stored in them.

Fear of the Dark was performed Maiden perfect and led into the big moment of the night, Iron Maiden. By that point, the sing along was intense, and I was feeling the heat and the sweat and the tightness on the lawn. A sea of warm bodies wrapped together on a hot summer’s night is not the best condition to see a concert in. We pushed on though – and Maiden delivered.

Toward the end of the song Iron Maiden we were rewarded with a visit from Eddie. On this tour he was dressed as space creature Eddie and he did the usual walk across the stage, fight with Janick, and then walk back across the stage. There was a new edition, however. Eddie was handed a guitar that he actually played. That had to be the coolest moment in live Maiden history. Eddie played a guitar solo. I was floored.



The encore consisted of three more mega-hits: Number of the Beast, Hallowed Be Thy Name, and Running Free. All were excellent and all were fun. By the end of the night, I was exhausted, but happy. Iron Maiden had come in and kicked all of our asses with some fun, new classics, and old cherished songs. They were worth the price of the ticket.

Setlist
The Wicker Man
Ghost of the Navigator
Wrathchild
El Dorado
Dance of Death
The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg
These Colours Don’t Run
Blood Brothers
Wildest Dreams
No More Lies
Brave New World
Fear of the Dark
Iron Maiden
Encore
The Number of the Beast
Hallowed Be Thy Name
Running Free

Cinderella - June 19, 2010

Other than Kix (http://rockandrollguru.blogspot.com/2010/07/kix-june-19-2010.html), Cinderella was the best band at this year’s M3 Festival. It had been a long time since I had seen Cinderella live in concert, and I was excited about the prospect of them going on the main stage right before the Scorpions (with Warrant playing the second stage in between). Tom Keifer had been battling throat issues, which caused Cinderella to stop touring for the past couple of years. After surgery and recovery time, the band was back and in full form.

From the opening lines of Second Wind, I could tell that Cinderella was happy to be back on stage. They sounded superb. The music was excellent and Keifer’s voice was in exceptional form. Their performance sounded so great that I broke out in chills during the second song of their set, Push, Push.

Being limited to only an hour, Cinderella must have had a very tough choice in deciding the setlist. Some of the fan favorites were unfortunately left out due to time constraints. What’s a Cinderella concert without The Last Mile? Unfortunately, I had to find out. I understand though, it’s hard to please all the fans. However, I may have left Second Wind out and kept The Last Mile in, but the band didn’t ask me.

The songs that were played were incredible. Although Cinderella didn’t run around the stage like it was the 80s again, they still produced an intense set. Their focus was on execution of the music, and not so much on the stage show, which was all right by me. It’s the music that counts the most, and after years of not being able to hear Cinderella live, their time at M3 more than made up for the lost days.

The ballads of Heartbreak Station and Don’t Know What You’ve Got (Till It’s Gone) were well received by the fans and just plain fun to sing along with. The bigger hits in Nobody’s Fool and Gypsy Road went over extremely well. The fan favorite of Night Songs was an amazing experience. Basically, Cinderella was on that night! For Heartbreak Station, Tom introduced it as a song about a girl, a train, and some love gone bad. He then led us in a sing-along of Heartbreak Station – magnificent to all involved.




When Tom Keifer came out with a saxophone in his hand during Shelter Me, the crowd went wild. Keifer wailed on that sax like a long lost friend and played the solo note perfect. I was amazed at his ability on the wind instrument and thoroughly impressed with the band’s performance of Shelter Me. It was like hearing from a long lost friend and learning that he’s very successful.




There really was not one bad song (or filler) played during Cinderella’s condensed set. From the opening of Second Wind to the closing notes of Shake Me, Cinderella was a rock and roll band with class. They knew what they were doing on stage and their professionalism and grace made them one of the best acts at M3.

It’s great to see the band back together after having an uncertain future for so long (with Tom Keifer’s vocal surgery). I’m hopeful that Cinderella will tour on their own (as headliners) once their current tour with The Scorpions is over, but I understand that Keifer may need to take some time off to rest his vocal chords. Perhaps he can use that time to finally release his solo album that was finished 5 years ago.

Setlist
Second Wind
Push, Push
Somebody Save Me
Night Songs
Falling Apart At The Seams
Heartbreak Station
Coming Home
Shelter Me
Nobody’s Fool
Gypsy Road
Don’t Know What You Got (Til It’s Gone)
Shake Me

Iron Maiden - The Final Frontier Tour Setlist Revealed

About a month ago I made my setlist predictions regarding what songsIron Maiden would play on the first leg of their upcoming World Tour. Let’s take a look and see how correct I was, shall we?

Below is the setlist for the North American Final Frontier Tour:

The Final Frontier Tour
The Wicker Man
The Ghost of the Navigator
Brighter Than A Thousand Suns
El Dorado
Paschendale
The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg
These Colours Don’t Run
Blood Brothers
Wildest Dreams
No More Lies
Brave New World
Fear of the Dark
Iron Maiden
Encore
The Number of the Beast
Hallowed Be Thy Name
Running Free

Now let’s see – Cousin Ryo predicted Iron Maiden, Running Free, and the Number of the Beast. All three are there. I also selected Hallowed Be Thy Name and Fear of the Dark. Both are present and accounted for. My other easy selections were The Trooper and Run to the Hills and they are not there.

On a more difficult prediction plane, I selected Wildest Dreams and that’s there. I also predicted Brave New World and it was performed. I thought they would play 3 new songs, but only one is being performed, El Dorado, a song that I didn’t care for the first time I heard it. Perhaps I need to give it a few more listens.

The rest of my predictions were way off. Infinite Dreams was a long shot anyway, but no Evil That Men Do, Can I Play With Madness, or A Different World. Overall, I would say that I predicted pretty well. The real surprises came in the form of Paschendale, and three tracks from A Matter of Life and Death as well as three from Brave New World. While I think this setlist is amazing, there are others that disagree thoroughly. One went as far as to sarcastically comment that the only thing missing was a song from Virtual XI. I look forward to debating the strength of this setlist in a future post.

In the end, I was able to predict 8 out of 16 songs (I give myself credit for predicting one new song, even though I did not know the name of it at the time). That’s 50%. I’d like to toot my own horn for a moment and say, “Wow, that’s pretty good.” What are your thoughts? What were your predictions?

Comments are open. Feel free to post some.

Memorial Day Concert Setlists

This past Memorial Day Weekend saw some pretty excellent concerts performed here in the Northeast. And although I did not attend any of them, I was planning on going to two until family plans got in the way.

Originally, I wanted to travel to Hartford, Connecticut, with my cousin to see two nights of Dave Matthews Band as they launched their 2010 summer tour. Unfortunately, his parents decided to schedule his college graduation party right in the middle of that two day concert blast, thus rendering it near impossible for us to go. Even if we went to the Friday night show, it was questionable if we would be back in time for his party on Saturday. Thus, no DMB for me.

After viewing the setlist, I am severely disappointed with myself. Check out the two nights they did in Hartford! If this is any indication of how this summer tour is going to be, well, then cousin Ryo has to get to a couple of these shows.

May 28, 2010
JTR
Seven
Hello Again
Spaceman
Proudest Monkey
Satellite
Funny The Way It Is
Rye Whiskey
Shake Me Like a Monkey
Busted Stuff
Kit Kat Jam
#41
Grey Street
You and Me
Dancing Nancies
Too Much
Ants Marching
Encore
Break For It
You Might Die Trying

May 29, 2010
Big Eyed Fish
Bartender
Why I Am
So Damn Lucky
Lying In the Hands of God
So Right
Everyday
Sweet Up and Down
Jimi Thing
Crash (Into Me)
Corn Bread
Stand Up
Needle And The Damage Done
Don’t Drink the Water
Shake Me Like a Monkey
Two Step
Encore
Baby Blue
All Along The Watchtower

The second concert that I was going to attend was at the New Meadowlands Stadium, featuring New Jersey’s other son, Bon Jovi. I really wanted to see the new stadium and I really wanted to hear songs from the new album performed live. However, my friend Mark was throwing his annual Memorial Day BBQ bash on Saturday (yes, I had to do two parties in one day). So back in March when he confirmed that it was happening on that date, I nixed any plans to see Bon Jovi. Once again, I am a tad disappointed in myself. Look at the setlist Bon Jovi performed on Saturday night in New Jersey. Wow!

May 29, 2010
Who Says You Can’t Go Home
We Weren’t Born To Follow
You Give Love A Bad Name
In These Arms
Born To Be My Baby
Just Older
We Got It Goin On
Raise Your Hands
When We Were Beautiful
Superman Tonight
Captain Crash & The Beauty Queen From Mars
Bad Medicine
It’s My Life
Love’s The Only Rule
Lay Your Hands On Me
Living In Sin
I’ll Be There For You
Something For The Pain
Diamond Ring
I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead
I’d Die For You
Work For The Working Man
Someday I’ll Be Saturday Night
Keep The Faith
Encore
Dry County
Wanted Dead Or Alive
Livin’ On A Prayer

Now don’t get me wrong, I am very thankful for the time that I had with friends and family. Family is always a priority for me, and it was great to see Mark’s family and his young son. That along with all the memory-laning we did when we got together made it a fantastic evening. But, that was some setilist! I’ll need to remember that in July when Bon Jovi returns.

What concerts did you enjoy over the Memorial Day weekend? What concerts are you set to enjoy this summer? Comments are open. Feel free to post some.

Bruce Springsteen & The E-Street Band - October 2, 2009

The last concert I ever attended at Giants Stadium was Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band. When Bruce and the band announced they were closing out Giants Stadium with an early fall run, I knew that I had to get to at least one of those shows. Finances prevented me from seeing more, as originally, attending all five was an option given careful consideration.

Unfortunately, a month earlier, the company I worked for closed their doors and I suddenly found myself unemployed along with all of my colleagues. Fortunately for me, I read great personal finance websites and was prepared with an emergency fund. I also knew unemployment would be assisting me, so I did not freak out too much.

However, spending another $100 on a concert, let alone $400 for four more shows, could not be justified. I even contemplated selling my tickets to the show I did attend. That would put an extra $200 back in my pocket. In the end, after talking with my wise wife, I decided to keep the tickets and enjoy myself. It was a sunk cost anyway, meaning the money was already spent.

Am I ever glad that I decided to see that show! Hands down, it was one of the best (if not the best) Springsteen concert ever attended. (And one day, after I’ve posted all of my reviews of the 15 times I’ve seen him in concert, they will be ranked). It was an amazing Friday night in New Jersey, and the best part was that for 3 hours, there were no worries. I was submerged in the power of rock and roll and enjoyed every second of the magic and the music of Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street band.

Cathy and I were galvanized as we entered the stadium. Prior to coming to Giants Stadium, Springsteen had announced that the band would be playing 3 albums in their entirety during this historic closing: Born To Run, Born In The USA, and Darkness On The Edge Of Town. We were getting Darkness which made me quiver with anticipation and glee. Cathy wanted Born In The USA, as she wasn’t as well acquainted with Darkness as I.

The show opened with a roaring crowd and a brand new song written (presumably) for this occasion. Wrecking Ball. What a great song! A typical Springsteen rocker with a catchy chorus and sing along charm, Wrecking Ball was an excellent opener and a hell of a new song.




By the second song of the night, I knew this was going to be one special concert. The band charged into Tenth Avenue Freeze Out and the crowd responded with thunderous applause. We were all happy to hear that one performed. The third song was special for Cathy and I as it has a very deep meaning for us and our relationship. No Surrender found us holding each other and smiling. It’s a promise that we did make to each other, cemented in the lyrics of Bruce Springsteen.

After three more great songs, including an excellent version of Hungry Heart (a song I had not seen performed in a long time), it was time for the main course of the show. Darkness On The Edge Of The Town in its entirety. I got chills when the band started the opening notes of Badlands. I knew by the time they had gotten through the entire album, I would have heard a song that I had never heard live before. I would get some beloved classics, and I would be witnessing Springsteen history.

Badlands was as excellent as ever. It is the only song that I have heard live at every Springsteen show I’ve attended (15 and counting). It never gets old. Adam Raised A Cain was nice. Something In The Night washed over me with a wave of euphoria. One of my favorites on Darkness, it had been a while since I heard it in concert and I was glad to hear it on that night.

Then it was time for one of my all time favorite Springsteen masterpieces, Candy’s Room. The crowd knew it was time too, because they went hysterical when Max started tapping the cymbal with the opening percussion. Powerful and seductive, Candy’s Room was brilliant. A gorgeous Racing In The Street followed and that ended side one.

Side two was up next and the band ripped right into The Promised Land which was as grand as always. What followed was a song that I had never seen live in concert before. While tailgating prior to this show, I had actually heard the band performing it during sound check, which I thought was pretty wild. Factory was performed for the first time in ages. The band was a little nervous, but in typical professional fashion, they nailed it and it sounded brilliant.




The incredible Streets of Fire was next and delivered with power and passion. I’ve always loved this song and The E-Street Band really gave it their all. Prove It All Night and the ever popular Darkness On The Edge Of Town closed out the album performance and the crowd showed their appreciation. History had been made. However, the night of surprises was only beginning.

Perhaps as a warm up for the next night’s show, Springsteen pulled out I’m Goin’ Down and I went nuts. This was another beloved song that I had never heard in concert before. I leapt up and sang every word as loud as I could.




And the surprises still kept coming. The rarely played Be True was played next, followed by an on demand, impromptu performance of Elvis’ Jailhouse Rock which the band did justice to. For a song they pulled out on the spot (thanks to the sign requests), the band was spot on. Springsteen joked about how the song had too many verses, which got a laugh from the crowd.

For the second night of their five night closing run, Springsteen and company were on fire. At the tail end of a long world tour in support of Working On A Dream, they still brought the energy and delivered for the fans. It was a Friday night of fun and celebration in New Jersey.

Filled with surprises, an entire album performance, a brand new song, and some unexpected, rarely played gems, this one of the final concerts ever at Giants Stadium was an amazing experience. And as the last Springsteen concert I’ve ever seen (for now), it was a hell of a way to close out a run.

Setlist
Wrecking Ball
Tenth Avenue Freeze Out
No Surrender
Outlaw Pete
Hungry Heart
Working On A Dream
Badlands
Adam Raised A Cain
Something In The Night
Candy’s Room
Racing In The Street
The Promised Land
Factory
Streets of Fire
Prove It All Night
Darkness On The Edge Of Town
Waitin’ On A Sunny Day
Raise Your Hand
I’m Goin Down
Be True
Jailhouse Rock
Thunder Road
Long Walk Home
The Rising
Born To Run
Encore
Cadillac Ranch
Bobby Jean
American Land
Dancing In The Dark
Rosalita

Iron Maiden The Final Frontier Tour - Setlist Predictions

Ah, it’s that time of the year again. The summer concert season is almost upon us. With some great bands going out on the road, I know this summer will be a hot one for the concert industry. One of the bands that I am going to see (for the 4th time) is Iron Maiden. They will be touring in support of a new album, The Final Frontier, which won’t be released until after the show. So, I’m curious. What will Iron Maiden’s set list consist of for this tour?

The last tour the band went on was the Somewhere Back In Time Tour where they played nothing but the classic hits from 1980 – 1989 (with the exception of 1991’s Fear Of The Dark). The tour before that was The Matter of Life and Death Tour which featured the band performing A Matter of Life and Death in its entirety and 5 classic Maiden tunes.

What will The Final Frontier Tour bring us? Let’s speculate, shall we?

It’s almost a given that Fear of the Dark will be performed. The fans love that song and Maiden seems to love performing it. There has to be some new songs in there, even if the album isn’t released when they hit the states. I’m going to say three new songs get performed from The Final Frontier. It’s painfully obvious that Iron Maiden will be performed. Run to the Hills is a safe bet. As is Number of the Beast.

I would like to see Seventh Son of a Seventh Son performed, but that’s just wishful thinking on my part. I don’t think Maiden will perform that song. I also wouldn’t mind seeing that album in its entirety, but I think Maiden is done performing entire albums.

It would be superb to see some 30 year anniversary classics that haven’t been played in a long time. I would wet my pants if I heard Women In Uniform.

So without further adieu, here’s my prediction on what this year’s set list will look like. I have no inside information, just my gut instincts. After the tour kicks off, it will be nice to revisit this and see how many songs I got correct.

These are not in order, just the songs that I think the band will perform on this year’s tour.

Ryo’s Setlist Prediction
Run To The Hills
Iron Maiden
Number Of The Beast
New Song 1 (from The Final Frontier)
New Song 2 (from The Final Frontier)
New Song 3 (from The Final Frontier)
Fear of the Dark
Hallowed Be Thy Name
Brave New World
Wildest Dreams
A Different World
Running Free
Infinite Dreams
The Trooper
Can I Play With Madness
The Evil That Men Do

What are your thoughts? Think you can predict what Maiden will perform for us this year? Comments are open. Feel free to post some.

Setlist: Theory Of A Deadman - January 29, 2010

I was able to attend the Theory of a Deadman concert on Friday night at the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, New Jersey. Taking Dawn, Adelitas Way, and Halestorm were the opening acts. I missed Taking Dawn, but Adelitas Way was great and Halestorm blew me away. They were absolutely amazing. Expect a complete comprehensive concert review in the coming weeks (or sooner).

In the meantime, here is the setlist that Theory played.

Setlist
Intro – Theme from the A-Team
So Happy
Better Off
Little Smirk
By The Way
All Or Nothing
Got It Made
Nothing Could Come Between Us
No Surprise
Got Me Wrong
Make Up Your Mind
Santa Monica
Hate My Life
Encore
Not Meant To Be
Paradise City (Tease)
Bad Girlfriend

Setlist Thursday: Dave Matthews Band - Beacon Theater June 1, 2009

As the official launch for Big Whiskey And The Groogrux King kicked off at the Beacon Theater, Dave Matthews Band captured the entire event for prosperity purposes (well, maybe Hulu captured it for that reason). This concert was broadcast live over the internet on Hulu.com and I was fortunate enough to catch most of it live. I’ve since watched the entire event (more than once) and if you’re interested, you can do the same. Just head over to http://www.hulu.com/ and search Dave Matthews Band for the entire concert. This concert showcased a lot of material from the new album in an intimate setting. It was a great show and an excellent way to celebrate the arrival of a new disc.

Setlist
Funny The Way It Is
Alligator Pie
Spaceman
Corn Bread
Seven
Out Of My Hands
Why I Am
Dreaming Tree
You Might Die Trying
Everyday
Sister
So Damn Lucky
Squirm
Anyone Seen The Bridge
Ants Marching
#41
Time Bomb
Two Step
Encore
Rye Whiskey
Don’t Drink The Water
Grey Street

Comments are open. Feel free to post some.

Setlist Thursday: Led Zeppelin - July 7, 1980

Every Thursday The Rock and Roll Guru provides brief commentary on a setlist from a recent or classic concert.

This is the last concert that John Bonham ever performed with Led Zeppelin before his untimely demise. The concert took place in Berlin Germany. Led Zeppelin is one of the few bands that I regret not ever being able to see in concert. From scrutinizing the setlist, this must have been one hell of a concert. Just to hear Jimmy Page’s opening riffs of Kashmir would send chills down my spine. I can understand why fans and execs are juiced to have Led Zeppelin get together for one big tour. I’d pay close to $200 to see them and I don’t pay that kind of money for any concert. Look at this setlist! Amazing!

Setlist
The Train Kept A Rolling
Nobody’s Fault But Mine
Black Dog
In The Evening
The Rain Song
Hot Dog
All My Love
Trampled Underfoot
Since I’ve Been Loving You
White Summer
Black Mountain Side
Kashmir
Stairway To Heaven
Rock and Roll
Whole Lotta Love

Comments are open. Feel free to post some.

Setlist Thursday: Theory of a Deadman - Fall 2009

Every Thursday The Rock and Roll Guru provides brief commentary on a setlist from a recent or classic concert.

Theory Of A Deadman is currently on the road, opening for Daughtry. In January they will embark on their own headlining tour playing smaller venues. I’m attempting to see the two local shows that they will be performing. Of course, as a headliner, their sets will be much deeper than as an opening act. However, here’s what they’ve been playing while they were opening for Daughtry. Interesting setlist. Note the cover song in particular.

Setlist – Fall 2009
So Happy
Little Smirk
By The Way
No Surprise
Hate My Life
Santa Monica
Not Meant To Be
Paradise City*
Bad Girlfriend

*Guns N Roses cover

Comments are open. Feel free to post some.

Setlist Thursday: KISS - Staples Center, Los Angeles - November 25, 2009

Every Thursday The Rock and Roll Guru provides brief commentary on a setlist from a recent or classic concert.

On the night before Thanksgiving, Kiss gave their fans the biggest of all holiday treats. A live internet concert broadcast from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. This was a first for the band and added another top name rock act to give a free internet concert (earlier this year Dave Matthews Band did so on Hulu.com). The concert is available for viewing through Kiss’ Facebook page (www.faccebook.com/Kiss), or on UStream (www.ustream.tv). Check it out. It’s worth the time and makes for a great distraction from all that year end work that needs to be done.

Setlist
Deuce
Strutter
Let Me Go Rock and Roll
Hotter Than Hell
Shock Me
Calling Dr. Love
Modern Day Delilah
Cold Gin
Parasite
Say Yeah
100,000 Years
I Love It Loud
Black Diamond
Rock and Roll All Nite
Encore
Shout It Out Loud
Lick It Up
Love Gun
Detroit Rock City

Comments are open. Feel free to post some.

The Doors - December 11, 1970

Every Thursday The Rock and Roll Guru provides brief commentary on a setlist from a recent or classic concert.

For this week’s edition of Setlist Thursday, I thought I would go way back into the past and visit one of my favorite classic rock groups, The Doors. This setlist is from their final full concert with Jim Morrison (their final concert with Jim took place the following night, but was cut short when Jim stormed off the stage). The concert took place at in Dallas, Texas at the Dallas McFarlin auditorium.

There are a few interesting points to note. The first is that this is the only time Love Her Madly, The Changeling, and L.A. Woman were ever performed. The second is the length of the show. Six songs? What the heck? However, I did a lot of research and apparently the average length of a Doors concert back then was one hour, and approximately 8 songs. I guess concerts were a lot different back then.

When you hear about how The Doors played Madison Square Garden, you think of these marathon jam events that went on forever. Nope. One hour and on to the next city. It’s hard to fathom that today, especially knowing what a big business concerts have become. Back then, it was all about the experience, I suppose.

Setlist
Love Her Madly
Back Door Man
Ship Of Fools
The Changeling
L.A. Woman
When The Music’s Over

Setlist: Bruce Springsteen & The E-Street Band - Madison Square Garden 11/8/09

Every Thursday The Rock and Roll Guru provides brief commentary on a set list from a recent concert.





Sunday night, for the first time ever in their illustrious career, Bruce and the band played The River, the double album from 1980, in its entirety. That didn’t leave a lot of room for many other songs, but this was a Springsteen concert, so they still managed to fit in quite a few more. Not to mention that The River is packed with plenty of its own gems. Just hearing Sherry Darling and Independence Day at the same concert is worth the price of admission. It looks like it was an incredible night in New York City.

Setlist
Wrecking Ball
The Ties That Bind
Sherry Darling
Jackson Cage
Two Hearts
Independence Day
Hungry Heart
Out In The Street
Crush On You
You Can Look (But You Better Not Touch)
I Wanna Marry You
The River
Point Blank
Cadillac Ranch
I’m A Rocker
Fade Away
Stolen Car
Ramrod
The Price You Pay
Drive All Night
Wreck On The Highway
Waitin’ On A Sunny Day
Atlantic City
Badlands
Born To Run
Seven Nights To Rock
Encore
Sweet Soul Music
No Surrender
American Land
Dancing In The Dark
Can’t Help Falling In Love
Higher and Higher

Comments are open. Feel free to post some.

Pearl Jam at the Philadelphia Spectrum - 10/31/09 Setlist

Every Thursday The Rock and Roll Guru provides brief commentary on a set list from a recent concert.

Pearl Jam was selected as the last band to ever play the Spectrum in Philadelphia, and they closed the building down with an amazing four night run that concluded on Halloween. This setlist is just incredible! Not only did the band play 41 songs, they played Bugs for the first time ever, they pulled out a cover of Devo’s Whip It for the first time ever, they performed Sweet Lew (from Lost Dogs) for the first time ever, along with the rarely played Rats, Glorified G, and Out Of My Mind (a rare B-side), which was performed for the first time since 1994. I’ve seen this band conquer masterful nights at the Garden, including the show they released on DVD, but this blows them all away. If ever there was a Pearl Jam concert to own, this is it.

Setlist
Why Go
Last Exit
Corduroy
Severed Hand
The Fixer
Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town
You Are
Amongst The Waves
Even Flow
Pilate
Unthought Known
Daughter/Another Brick In The Wall
Johnny Guitar
Rats
Out Of My Mind
I Got Id
Glorified G
Black
Insignificance
Life Wasted
Encore 1
Just Breathe
The End
Low Light
Speed Of Sound
Jeremy
Inside Job
Bugs
Spin The Black Circle
Porch
Encore 2
Whip It (Devo Cover)
Got Some
Crown Of Thorns
Satan’s Bed
Sweet Lew
Do The Evolution
Better Man
Save It For Later
Smile
Alive
Rockin’ In The Free World
Yellow Ledbetter

Wilco Setlist - UICC Pavilion, Chicago, IL 10/18/09

Every Thursday The Rock and Roll Guru provides brief commentary on a set list from a recent concert.





Wilco performed their last stateside concert for the year (barring any surprises) on October 18th in Chicago, IL. Anytime Heavy Metal Drummer is played, you just know it’s going to be a special night. The three song shot from Being There in the encore is incredible. It would have been nice to see more from Summer Teeth, but every Wilco show is so unique – there’s always next time.

Wilco – Chicago, Illinois
Wilco (The Song)
A Shot In The Arm
Bull Black Nova
You Are My Face
I Am Trying To Break Your Heart
One Wing
Misunderstood
At Least That’s What You Said
Deeper Down
Impossible Germany
It’s Just That Simple
I’ll Fight
Handshake Drugs
Sunny Feeling
Jesus, Etc.
Theologians
I’m Always In Love
Hate It Here
Walken
I’m The Man Who Loves You
Encore
You Never Know
Heavy Metal Drummer
Just A Kid
Kingpin
Monday
Outtasite (Outta Mind)
Hoodoo Voodoo
I’m A Wheel