multi-night runs: repeats?

[JerseyDan]

(i'll preface stating that i somewhat hate being the "this is business" post guy over and over again )

I think we have to all take a step back here and remember that their job on album release tours is to SELL THE ALBUM. What is lost in all your posts is that multi-night runs only see about 20-25% repeat business. If they are SELLING AN ALBUM and when 75% of the crowd each night is hearing the new songs for the 1st time live its IMPERATIVE that they play the new songs each night, at least the 2-3 that they are gonna work to radio and digital. Do I believe repeats of "classics" on a multi-night run would be lame? Sure, and its safe to bet that won't be the case. Could you hear "Big Decisions" each night of a 3 show run? Heck yes, and its practically the band's responsibility to do so, regardless of what label they are on.

This forum/Roll Call is a nice bubble of super-fandom, collectively we need to have some sort of perspective on these things. Not every show can be NYE or OBH. We are blessed that a band in their place WANT to gig this often. Look at Arcade Fire for example...1 and done every tour except A-markets, no return dates EVER. We shouldn't really be upset WHAT MMJ plays, just cherish we GET to see them play at all.

(All this said, I sympathize with the financial commitment at all, just speaking on a wider note)

[Stevie]

"why does anyone even question that anymore? We love coming up with the setlists for those shows and playing them. Yes, take multi nighters as no repeats unless it's billed otherwise."

With all due respect to Carl, if the band would just come out and state this officially, once and for all, we would stop asking.  But with a new album, and with a new major record label, i don't think we are at fault for being curious, especially given the cost and the time off of work that will go into some of these adventures. 

That said, i'm willing to take it on faith that each of the Chicago shows will be highly unique, even if there are a couple of repeats from the new album each night.  What I'm leery about are the two-nighters.  I just don't know about those two-nighters.

..but here's something I just thought of....  What if the band got sick of the standard album tour format, of going to a new city every night but being handcuffed by the idea that each city will want to hear most of the new album, plus most of their hits.  The next city doesn't care that they just played wordless chorus in the previous one, they want to hear it too.  So how do you fix that?  Multi-night runs.  Most cities probably can't support a three-nighter, hence the multitude of two-night shows. 

Alright, i've convinced myself that this won't be an issue.  New album and record label be damned.  These are the same dudes and we should be thrilled by this tour schedule.

To be fair, Carl said that in the most laid back, joking way possible. It wasn't like he was in disbelief or pissed at the question. It was more like...."really? I thought it was obvious by now, but yeah, no repeats at multi nighters."

Gotcha.  Good to know.

[Stevie]

(i'll preface stating that i somewhat hate being the "this is business" post guy over and over again )

I think we have to all take a step back here and remember that their job on album release tours is to SELL THE ALBUM. What is lost in all your posts is that multi-night runs only see about 20-25% repeat business. If they are SELLING AN ALBUM and when 75% of the crowd each night is hearing the new songs for the 1st time live its IMPERATIVE that they play the new songs each night, at least the 2-3 that they are gonna work to radio and digital. Do I believe repeats of "classics" on a multi-night run would be lame? Sure, and its safe to bet that won't be the case. Could you hear "Big Decisions" each night of a 3 show run? Heck yes, and its practically the band's responsibility to do so, regardless of what label they are on.

This forum/Roll Call is a nice bubble of super-fandom, collectively we need to have some sort of perspective on these things. Not every show can be NYE or OBH. We are blessed that a band in their place WANT to gig this often. Look at Arcade Fire for example...1 and done every tour except A-markets, no return dates EVER. We shouldn't really be upset WHAT MMJ plays, just cherish we GET to see them play at all.

(All this said, I sympathize with the financial commitment at all, just speaking on a wider note)

Is 20-25% the average for all bands or is this based on a recent mmj run?  To me there are two kinds of bands that do multi-night runs: A.  Bands that are so popular that they have to play multiple nights in one city or they are throwing away money.  The vast majority of these bands tend not to tour very much (like an arcade fire or a singer like katy perry) which also increases demand, and all but a small percentage of their fans will only go to one night.  B.  Bands like umphreys or mmj that have a smaller but much more dedicated fan base that would be more likely to attend multiple nights.  I guess there is a third type and thats Phish who satisfy both criteria at once. 

My point is that i would agree with you if this were 99% of other bands, but even while recognizing the super fan bubble that i live in i still believe that there are more repeat "customers" than just 25% for the big runs (not counting obh of course).   But i could be flat outt wrong and even if im right it may not translate to no repeats.  Time will tell.

[LB]

Random question: is there an option to buy all 3 nights during the pre sale or am I going to have to go through the ordering process 3 times?
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I asked Wonderful Union this question and it sounds like you can put multiple nights in one check out but there won't be an option to buy the same seats for a 2 or 3 night run.  Monday at on sale will certainly be interesting...

i hope that doesnt screw us over

[JerseyDan]

Without getting into the "calculators" of it all, multi-night runs have many purposes:

1) Band is too small for the next sized space (big theater to shed or arena) and they can get that average 20-25% return business plus those unique fans who got shut out of the 1st (or 2nd) show.

2) playing the smaller venue multiple nights vs. the bigger venue costs less as there is only 1 load-in/1 load-out worth of labor to be paid. The expenses for hotels/expenses to keep the band & crew there vs. a house "nut" of full labor usually works in the band's favor

3) A band playing multiple "sure thing" plays before/after a more ambitious show.

MMJ may be a bit more than the 20-25% average...where as a jam-band could be more like 60%...a radio-hit band could be 10%. Phish...whole other conversation.

Of course when you talk of bands with huge songbooks (Black Crowes, jam bands, etc.) the ability to play no-repeat gigs is more viable. Go see Petty or Buffet or Bruce and you are gonna hear a few songs every night.

[scosby2]

I think they've moved on from the repeating songs phase...maybe a new one here or there but that's probably about it

[!RollTide!]

 

[EverythingChanges]

Should we expect 2.5 hour shows this tour? Or more around 2 hours?

[Stevie]

anyone's guess.   mine would be that the chicago run will be about 22 songs per night as with other 3 nighters and that the two nighters and single nights will go between 22-28 songs per night.