I also know the moment they play something new live we're going to hear, "Nope, he waited too long. It's over." "Oh, that song sucks."  "It'd be better if Slash or Bucket was on it." "They should have waited until the album was ready. This live quality sucks."

And so it goes...

killingvector wrote:

I never said everyone is watching these streams. But clearly the arena shows were not selling out. In the case of the fanbase, their attendance becomes much more important when the rest of the nation fails to show up.

G&R have been exclusively playing these hits since 2001. I don't know if you are sincerely going to argue that they can get away with a nostalgia tour every four or so years, but I certainly will argue that the band will continue to be in stasis mode, selling 6000 tickets or less per venue if this trend continues.

I think you truly underestimate the effect a new song can have on a tour. Especially a good one. Especially one tied to a movie and a single. Most bands tour on something, and not simply the past. G&R seem to feel different. Perhaps that is why their numbers have been so poor. Look at what Van Halen is doing right now.  Hell, even AC DC back when whispers of Chinese were in the air. It is possible to sell out based on a few decent new tracks and a solid catalog.

Well, my panties are in a bunch b/c Axl doesn't have another 20 years to figure this out. He is approaching the twilight of his career yet we have exactly one album of material since the old band busted.  Tours like this keep the porchlight on, produce poor attendance numbers, and pay salaried band members. And not much else unless you like to hear this band wail through Appetite's greatest hits yet again.

I never thought I'd say this, but I think YOU have more faith in this lineup than I do.  I don't think this lineup can do much better attendance wise, whether they have a new single, album, video, the ghost of Jimi Hendrix on lead guitar.  Okay, so maybe that last one could make a difference.

I think this lineup's potential is capped to where it is, in the US.  Maybe it could go up slightly.  But I don't foresee ANYTHING making a huge difference.  People have made up their minds that THIS isn't GNR.  A new single they like isn't going to change that fact.

Maybe I'm wrong, but that's how I see things.

Axlin12 wrote:

I just want to say that I was incredibly fucking pissed no new stuff was revealed at Rio IV..

You know I used to agree somewhat with what Axl said about people on the net bitching about setlists for concerts they weren't even at, but the more I think about it the more I disagree.

In today's Internet age people on the other side of the world are living these concerts through live updates on forums like this, watching videos back that people took at the concert, they are getting pumped up (or let down) too.  Maybe not to the same degree
as someone actually at the gig, but it still impacts on the fans, the vibe, press, it can create a buzz (or not) etc.

Plus with GNR streaming gigs now too I think setlists are fucking important and the opinions of those at home watching live or in replay over the next few days shouldn't be underestimated.

I mean look how it works in reverse when Estranged and Civil War was played, people online went a little nuts. But why should they care they are just nerds on the net at home they weren't even at the gig.  It cuts both ways.

Imagine the positive buzz if a new song was played or even new old songs. You gotta take the good with the bad.

I think setlists are important.  Yeah you gotta please those who paid to go to the gig first but I think it's stupid to completely ignore the other side of coin. It's a missed opportunity if you do.