The Dilemma of Rock Stars: Repeating Tours and Fan Expectations

Rock stars, like any artists, often find themselves in a challenging situation when touring for extended periods. Playing the same setlist night after night can indeed become monotonous. This raises the question: can it be boring for rock stars to play the same songs over and over again touring for 10 years? And if not, why isn't it?

Truth Behind the Tour Practice

Actually, touring can get repetitive and tiresome, particularly after a 3-month stretch. This is why when fans attend a concert, they often notice that bands tend to perform certain songs differently or mix it up a bit. Personally, I try to keep most songs consistent because that is what the fans expect. I've learned that with some shows, depending on the venue, changing a song or adding additional lyrics can sometimes have the opposite effect. Fans might not respond as well as they would have had I not made those changes. Therefore, it's best to keep the songs as originally recorded, even though it can be hectic.

Entertaining the Fans

My top priority is to entertain the fans, not myself. After all, the purpose of the tour is to connect with the audience and make them enjoy the music. This is a reminder that, despite the tiring rehearsals and performances, the main goal is to ensure the fans are having a good time.

Motivations Behind Musicians' Choices

Money and Survival

Musicians are, like most people, motivated by financial needs. They often work for years on a job they don't enjoy, driven by the need for money. Society hasn't yet reached a state of zero scarcity, and thus people must engage in various activities outside their passion to survive. This is no different for musicians.

When they're not on tour, musicians typically enlist in other ventures that bring in revenue. They might work on solo projects, design merchandise, sponsor racing events, or engage in other commercial endeavors. This allows them to maintain their careers and continue producing music.

Joakim Broden's Perspective

Joakim Broden, a member of the band Sabaton, has talked about this in an interview. He mentions that while bands sometimes get tired of playing certain songs, they might choose to play others more frequently. For instance, Sabaton hasn't played "Panzer Battalion" in a long time because Broden got bored of it, but they endlessly perform "Ghost Division" because he can sing it on autopilot now and interacts better with the crowd.

Challenges in Maintaining Consistency

Sudiante Squeeze's Case Study

I've attended Squeeze's concerts multiple times over several decades, and I've often sensed that they were somewhat tired of playing their hits. However, they seem to understand the importance of pleasing the fans. After one of their tours, they produced an album called "Spot the Difference," which consists of entirely new recordings of their older hits. This approach shows that they are always trying to balance their artistic integrity with fan expectations.

Ultimately, the decision to repeat the same setlist or bring in new material is a delicate balance. It requires understanding the audience's needs and preferences while also staying true to the artists' own artistic vision. This is a challenge that any touring musician, regardless of the genre, must face.

Conclusion

The world of rock music is filled with musicians who balance their artistic passion with the demands of financial survival and fan satisfaction. While it can be challenging to perform the same songs night after night, the key lies in maintaining that balance. By understanding fan expectations and staying true to their art, musicians can continue to entertain and connect with their audiences.