Setlist obsession?

[robbosma]

I am a lurker on the Ants forums as I rarely post but often read. One thing that really confuses me is the near obsession many posters have with the setlist of a show.

I understand that there are certain songs you prefer to hear rather than others, but that doesn't mean that the songs I like are the wrong songs to like and your favorites are right, or vice versa. I understand that it is cool to hear a song that is rarer than most, I usually feel the same way. I also understand that the order of a setlist can dictate the flow and even energy of a show. Believe me, I really do get it, but it is not everything.

What I do not understand is how people can review a show and call it f*cking terrible just because the setlist does not meet their standards. I also have difficulty relating to these reviews of shows that don't actually talk about how well the band performed. It so common for people to only talk about WHAT was performed and say nothing of HOW it was performed. I understand that not everyone on here is musician and I don't expect people to catch when Jeff is using tri-tone substitutions over the changes, but I think elevating the level of dialog on the forums would only be a positive!

That's my rant for now. I look forward to some discussion on this. Until then, enjoy the shows this summer!

[coombse]

I for one am glad you have survived the implosion in Detroit.

If you want to have a really good time trying going through all the joy posted in DMBc

[paulaugustus]

music is art, and the posting users on setlists you refer to, have no regard for the subjective opinions of others. ie: "you are a fucking moron if you like baby blue". a statement such as this one, which seems to be more prevalent than, "i respect your opinion, but i prefer halloween as an encore", is indicative of the demographic of the users that opine haphazardly on setlists. so i'm with you op, but good luck.

to complement op's thread: people are entitled to their opinions. but they're not fucking morons for having them.

[RiotAct]

I'm obsessed with tonight's setlist so far, that's for sure.

[jiggajm18]

Originally Posted by robbosma

I am a lurker on the Ants forums as I rarely post but often read. One thing that really confuses me is the near obsession many posters have with the setlist of a show.

I understand that there are certain songs you prefer to hear rather than others, but that doesn't mean that the songs I like are the wrong songs to like and your favorites are right, or vice versa. I understand that it is cool to hear a song that is rarer than most, I usually feel the same way. I also understand that the order of a setlist can dictate the flow and even energy of a show. Believe me, I really do get it, but it is not everything.

What I do not understand is how people can review a show and call it f*cking terrible just because the setlist does not meet their standards. I also have difficulty relating to these reviews of shows that don't actually talk about how well the band performed. It so common for people to only talk about WHAT was performed and say nothing of HOW it was performed. I understand that not everyone on here is musician and I don't expect people to catch when Jeff is using tri-tone substitutions over the changes, but I think elevating the level of dialog on the forums would only be a positive!

That's my rant for now. I look forward to some discussion on this. Until then, enjoy the shows this summer!

that's because, usually, DMB gives great performances every night

[Mattardz]

Originally Posted by jiggajm18

that's because, usually, DMB gives great performances every night

I agree.

I have only been to one show since I'm sort of a new fan (I will be going to my second show tomorrow), but i do have 374 Dave songs on my iPod and I don't even have all the albums/shows that I want.

With that said, I have not heard a single "bad" version of any particular song, or any "bad" show.

[jiggajm18]

Originally Posted by Mattardz

I agree.

I have only been to one show since I'm sort of a new fan (I will be going to my second show tomorrow), but i do have 374 Dave songs on my iPod and I don't even have all the albums/shows that I want.

With that said, I have not heard a single "bad" version of any particular song, or any "bad" show.

which is why WHAT they play is so much more important than HOW they play/sound

[robbosma]

Originally Posted by jiggajm18

that's because, usually, DMB gives great performances every night

I agree that they never sound BAD as DMB is like sex and pizza: Even when it is not the best, it is still good! And I agree that setlists are relevant, even important. I just feel that there is much more to a performance than just the set. I have heard OK versions of Two Step and I have heard AMAZING versions of Two Step (Alpine Valley N1 2010), it is nice to compare. I have heard Carter play very well and I have heard him absolutely kill it. Again I realize that if you are not a trained musician you may not be able to pick up on the differences, I am just looking for another level of dialog on the forums.