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The album makes a comeback... as a concert setlist
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The rise of iTunes may have heralded the end of the album format, but it looks as if long-players are here to stay, at least for concertgoers. While some bands seem to be moving increasingly towards new online formats, there are a handful of artists who look determined to revive the flagging LP format by playing classic albums in their entirety during their live shows.
It's a trend that has increased in popularity over the last two years, as more and more bands consider the single-album show as a twist on the standard setlist format. The benefits for the fans are obvious. Not only do we get to hear an echo from our favorite band's heyday (and catch up on some classic performances in the process), but we also know exactly what we're buying when we hand over our hard-earned cash for a ticket. It can also breathe new life into a band that you've seen on stage before, as they swap their standard setlist for a revival from their glittering past.
So who has been jumping on the album show bandwagon? Bruce Springsteen is the artist who has pushed this new trend into the limelight, playing Born To Run, Born In The U.S.A. and Darkness On The Edge Of Town in their entirety on alternating nights of his current tour. There are plenty of other bands who have dusted off the old classics for revival tours, however. The Cult recently brought their album Love to the Moore Theatre, and this coming week sees two more classic album shows at the Moore and the Paramount Theatre.
Sunday November 8 sees New Wave heroes Devo take over the Moore Theatre, playing their album Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! from start to finish, while the following night, Monday November 9, will see them performing 1980's Freedom Of Choice. Alt-rock gods the Pixies play the Paramount Theatre on November 12 and 13, performing their highly influential 1989 album Doolittle in its entirety, along with some rarely-heard B-sides from the album's singles.
The 'classic album tour' looks like a phenomenon that's here to stay, so here are a few suggestions for anniversary shows that we'd like to see hit the road in 2010. Bands take note: you earn extra fan points for dressing like it was still 1985, too.
The La's by The La's - A classic release from a band that only recorded one album, the twentieth anniversary looks like the perfect time to resurrect those jangling guitars.
(What's The Story) Morning Glory? by Oasis - Is fifteen years too soon for a revival show? We think not, and this flagging Britpop band have failed to produce anything as slick as this recently.
Psychocandy by The Jesus And Mary Chain - Twenty-five years on might be the perfect time to bring back this underground classic. They may be too old now to raise hell like they used to, but the music hasn't faded with time.
Back In Black by AC/DC - This thirtieth anniversary speaks for itself. Expect the tour announcement soon.
Elvis Is Back! by Elvis Presley - Okay, maybe not... but 2010 is the fiftieth anniversary. Maybe he's just been biding his time...
For more info:
Live review: Pixies revive timeless Doolittle at the Paramount
Other Paramount shows: The Dead Weather
Seattle show previews
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