4.14.12 NCOE Reviews, more news

Since it is slow I'll go a tad OT.

In the newest Rolling Stone there is an interview with Jack White (formally White Stripes) who is now solo and embarking on a tour to support his new album. He has formed two entirely different bands (one entirely female, the other entirely male) and each band has learned 40 songs.
The morning of each show Jack will decide which band he is in the mood to play with and what songs he is in the mood to perform- the band members themselves won't even know until that very day. Nobody attending the concerts has any idea what they are going to see or hear until they actually get there and experience what Jack feels like doing.
This struck me as an intriguing method of insuring that concerts don't get stale for either repeat attendees, video viewers, or more to the point for Jack- the performers themselves.

I would not want to appear critical of Adam's having done the exact same show right down to the banter each time, but must admit that I found this idea extremely tantalizing. Imagine waiting for Adam to come onstage and not having any idea what you might hear- you could get "Come Home" or "Time for Miracles" or "Feeling Good" or anything he feels like doing on that particular day.

The costs for carrying two backing bands would be high and I don't really think that totally necessary in Adam's case. For Jack maybe it is, as he finds the energy playing with female musicians to be different and he enjoys the switch.
But I do have to say that a varied and unpredictable set list just makes my mouth water!

I just thought it was a novel way to approach a tour and the tedium performers are likely to experience during a long haul on the road.