| Vocal harmony 18.09.2015 07:32 |
Having played the first South American show of the tour, it probably comes as no surprise that the setlist hasn't really moved on from that which was played earlier this year. Not withstanding the inclusion of Ghost Town. Queen seem to chime under fires for their choice of setlist, I'm guilty of it as much as anyone. The back catalog is huge yet we seem to get songs picked from a small prtion of it. With AL they seemed more willing to dig a little deeper but only so far. Even with Freddie they seemed to rely on a fomula. From 77 till 80 the setlist kept the same basic structure with a small number of new songs added in favour if older ones. Not until 82 did a major shake up take place. But in on The Works tour the show became very structured as did The Works. But are our criticisms of Queen's choice of material justified. While some bands vary what they play heavily, not only from tour to tour but also night to night, others do not. I am a huge Rush fan, but have never asked why they don't vary their set during a tour, as a band they're less flexible than Queen in their set structure. At the other end of the scale Zappa was famous, on some tours, for deciding what to play 15 minutes before going on and choosing from 80 songs that he and his band had rehearsed for a tour. Somewhere in the middle countless acts tour regularly and pay a variation of greatest hits and crowd pleasers So are Queen really that much worse than other bands in their choice of set lists? |
| Biggus Dickus 18.09.2015 09:17 |
Not every band like taking a risk. Springsteen changes songs every night, so does Metallica to a degree. Bands like King Crimson had several improvisational pieces every night in the 1970's. I think the majority of the bands play it pretty safe concerning setlists, which is a shame. I think Queen is in the same category as most bands when it comes to varying the setlists. |
| winterspelt 18.09.2015 11:33 |
Most bands plays very much the same setlists. Still, I was expecting something extra for their Rock in Rio gig... Unless they want to play safe and release this gig instead of the 2014 tour as a live album, which would be good for Adam as it would include Ghost Town. Anyway I hope we can get another surprise today! |
| soxtalon 18.09.2015 16:50 |
I also think that for some bands like Queen who have a big show, it may be more difficult for them to alter set lists due to programmed lights/effects. Not saying definitively but some bands are less flashy so they can on the fly just decide to go and do a totally different set list and just have the light guys follow them - Queen shows (for example) seem to have far more specific cues so to change it up takes a lot more time/energy and they have to weigh how much it is actually worth it. Brian has a ton more freedom to add things into his acoustic section for example prior to LOML which is why we get the occasional acoustic local flavor, but other sections seem to be more set... |
| cmsdrums 19.09.2015 03:32 |
Give em their dues though - 25 songs composed to Aerosmith's current 13 song set... |
| matt z 19.09.2015 06:23 |
13...? wow really? Dude's act like they're Eighty |
| tomchristie22 19.09.2015 11:13 |
soxtalon wrote: I also think that for some bands like Queen who have a big show, it may be more difficult for them to alter set lists due to programmed lights/effects. Not saying definitively but some bands are less flashy so they can on the fly just decide to go and do a totally different set list and just have the light guys follow them - Queen shows (for example) seem to have far more specific cues so to change it up takes a lot more time/energy and they have to weigh how much it is actually worth it. Brian has a ton more freedom to add things into his acoustic section for example prior to LOML which is why we get the occasional acoustic local flavor, but other sections seem to be more set...Very good point which I don't think has been raised yet. |
| k-m 19.09.2015 15:21 |
I thought the North America 2014 setlist was their best in living memory. Still don't understand why they dropped "Love Kills", an obvious highlight. However, I am pretty impressed with their version of "Ghost Town" from Rio, the show really came to life when they played it. But in general, I agree, it's pretty monotonous. And I'm saying it not only as a Queen fan, but as a fan of music in general. There are some bands whose gigs appear quite regularly on TV, e.g. the Stones or Blur recently. If you watch a third such gig and they still play the same songs, it does become noticeable and quite boring. No good being a prisoner of your own songs, lol! |
| Vocal harmony 20.09.2015 05:54 |
tomchristie22 wrote:Not quite true. The Queen rig is quite large and has a definite impact but, as with this rig, it has always been a Queen tradition to use blocks of colour to wash the stage. Rather than using very intricate set pieces.soxtalon wrote: I also think that for some bands like Queen who have a big show, it may be more difficult for them to alter set lists due to programmed lights/effects. Not saying definitively but some bands are less flashy so they can on the fly just decide to go and do a totally different set list and just have the light guys follow them - Queen shows (for example) seem to have far more specific cues so to change it up takes a lot more time/energy and they have to weigh how much it is actually worth it. Brian has a ton more freedom to add things into his acoustic section for example prior to LOML which is why we get the occasional acoustic local flavor, but other sections seem to be more set...Very good point which I don't think has been raised yet. Any computerized lighting cues will be stored for use in a particular song, so adding or taking songs out the setlist would not be hard from a lighting point of view. Some shows, Lady Gaga for instance have to be rigid with lighting because they are lighting scenery and specific dance routines. The last three NIN tours featured very complex and effective lighting, lots of mobile units, different colour shading and also heavy use of two or sometimes three stage width screens. The number of cues for lighting were huge but they managed to vary the set lists quite often. Dropping out certain songs, adding songs and even starting the show differently from time to time. So I'm afraid Queen can't use rigid lighting effects as a reason for an almost cast in stone setlist |
| *goodco* 22.09.2015 11:35 |
Hell, a band I would fill in for on occasions varied their set list from night to night without a problem. The lighting was preprogrammed. So, if 'we' could do it...... I think back to seeing two shows of 'The Game' tour. Joe Louis Arena (as the Lions were on a 4-0 start, and had adopted AOBTD as their theme): nothing better than a Detroit rock 'n roll audience. And when he came out with a Lions' hat for the encore....oh, yeah, the crowd went even more berserk. I was disappointed at the acoustic set being dropped (other than LOML). Saw them the next night in Cleveland. Same set list. I expected 'something' different. Moving ahead to seeing Dream Theater a dozen times. Portnoy would go through his spreadsheets, and the band would play a different set list in every city, inserting songs that had not been played on their prior visits. Which meant that the band would have to spend extra hours familiarizing themselves with tunes they hadn't done in a while. No wonder it was more work than play. It was semi-disappointing as a fan. I would see a setlist from their previous performance, and wish THAT was the one they'd done at my viewing. During the 'A Dramatic Turn of Events' tour, they alternated two setlists. You knew what was coming, but a thrill to be able to see two shows BTB, with each one different. Now they are doing the same set lists. It means more time to enjoy being a tourist more, but a shame that they don't change a track or two. Surprised that Brian and Roger haven't played 'Las Pallabras' down south, or at least given a go at 'Let Me Live', 'Man On Fire', or 'Driven By You'. A different track each night isn't difficult, and all of us would eat them up. Variety is the spice of life after all. |
| Mr.QueenFan 22.09.2015 18:15 |
For the people attending the shows it's great! It's not their fault that we digest every concert they play. The set-list might be the same as the Europe show, but for people attending the shows in South America it's new. Queen could drop some hits from the setlist, but that wouldn't be fair for the people attending the show that want to hear the those songs played by the original members. For example, for me one of the highlights from Queen+PR 2005 concert that i attended in Lisbon, Portugal was "I'm in love with my car". It was so special to me that i didn't even looked at the big screen to watch Roger play and sing. I thought to myself, i can watch him on T.V when i'm at home. Here, i will look at him. When all of this is over, i can say that i watched the original play and sing that song. And the same goes for Brian and his long solo, that i love. Once it's over, it's over, but for now the majority attending the shows want to hear the hits and i can understand that. But let's not forget that they have played "NIH", "Stone cold crazy", "In the lap of the gods". And to end this post, we have to remember the limited time Adam Lambert and Queen have to reharse toghether before the tour. Adam has a solo career, and Brian and Roger are in a good age just to relax and doing things for fun. Reharsing a ton of music would take the fun out of the equation. But all things considered, i think that the songs they have played with Adam since the beginning of the collaboration was more that i was expecting. |
| Queenman!! 23.09.2015 02:42 |
k-m wrote: I thought the North America 2014 setlist was their best in living memory. Still don't understand why they dropped "Love Kills", an obvious highlight. However, I am pretty impressed with their version of "Ghost Town" from Rio, the show really came to life when they played it. But in general, I agree, it's pretty monotonous. And I'm saying it not only as a Queen fan, but as a fan of music in general. There are some bands whose gigs appear quite regularly on TV, e.g. the Stones or Blur recently. If you watch a third such gig and they still play the same songs, it does become noticeable and quite boring. No good being a prisoner of your own songs, lol!============================================ True; and in the post-production proces a band usually rehears like 30 songs, of the 25 they put on a main setlist. The other five are taken in production (sound and visual aspects) and put in the 'can' to use at different venues each night. |
| MercurialFreddie 23.09.2015 12:14 |
Marry the Rio 2015 and Rio 85' and there will be arguments like eg. Adam Lambert is better singer etc. etc. and the whole war on this forum will start over. |
| Richard Orchard 24.09.2015 12:04 |
i am surprised that they they still play the same songs. aren't they bored with it? |
| musicland munich 24.09.2015 12:32 |
It's nice to see that you guys are trying to make a point on that matter. But actually there is a simple and not so glamerous answer. Queen are/ were lazy as f@uck when it comes to rehearising new songs. You have to pull em on there theets to a Tour rehearsal... Of course they did, but only when someone pointing with a gun on them. |
| kosimodo 24.09.2015 17:38 |
The set is pretty much the same as in the 80,s. Now with Adam they could drop f.e. Wwry and use the voice of adam which is more suitable to softer songs. Lets give him a try at goflb, a song the other guy that sang with queen never could. Break free should also be dropped. It is simply not adam. Every night the same setlist is not a prob for me.. Adjust with one or two songs appending the mood:) |
| *goodco* 26.09.2015 11:40 |
I see that SCC was dropped, but good on them for doing Las Pallabras de Amor and IWTBFree last night. Made sense for South America. And at least a little variety. |