Gazza....I think for the most part we agree but i'll try to clarify...
re: reference to the No Security Tour.......that was an ARENA tour.
THey can sell out arenas with absolutely no problem...no matter what
they play (hits or deep cuts)... no argument there.
i was trying to give my theory/opinion about stadium shows.
whereas an arenas hold 15,000 to 20,000 people.....stadiums
hold 50,000 to 80,000...right? And according to anecdotal
evidence on this forum....there have been lots of empty seats (half full stadiums etc)
obvious factors might be... (in no particular order):
1) the band / performance
2) the ticket prices
3) the music / setlists
4) tour frequency (every 2-3 yrs vs 8 yr gap)
5) the venue
6) repeat hard-core "customers"
etc etc etc....
When I mentioned a "difference between arenas & stadiums" in a previous post
I was NOT talking about the specific setlists differences....I was saying
the first 20,000-25,000 to an arena OR stadium show are automatic. It's the
other 30,000-40,000 needed to fill a stadium that are expecting to know every song
and make a party out of it....especially now that they are touring so frequently.
This is why Mick always talks about the "must-dos" for stadium shows. They've
often differentiated playing in stadiums/arenas/small theaters & clubs.
At this point...their arena & stadium setlists are very similar.
And obviously as a fan of all Stones music..I'd LOVE to see
a few warhorse dropped in favor of lesser-played tunes...I LOVED
the No Securty setlists and would like to see them dig even deeper...
..but Mick's rationale for continuing to be a STADIUM BAND is that
it's all about the big hits, the spectacle...and the party atmosphere...
so they do what they need to do to appeal to the additional 30-40,000 to
fill a stadium.
Personally...even though I loved '89 "comeback tour" for it's
setlist and the huge spectacle.....and the Voodoo Lounge tour
for it's less commonly played songs...and the B2B stadium show for
it's B-stage......................I would have no problem with
the Stones becoming an arena band (exclusively) and digging deeper into
their archives for the 20,000 that are lucky enough to get a ticket
and the 10-15,000 that will be banging on the doors to get in .
IORR............but I like it!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2007-08-01 19:41 by sweet neo con.