The paradox of choice, gig edition
September 1, 2023 4:09 PM Subscribe
A touring performer/group has scheduled multiple shows in your city, either on consecutive nights, or early & late shows on the same night. In your experience, which show is likely to be the best one?
On the same night: the second set, because everyone will be looser and they won’t feel any time constraints. I’d make an exception if it’s a singer known to blow their voice out.
Multiple night stand: anybody who warrants that should be good every night. In the absence of any sets announced in advance (like an album show) I’d pick based on day of the week or other external factors like if I think I’ll have a better chance at a seat at a good bar.
posted by fedward at 4:48 PM on September 1, 2023
Multiple night stand: anybody who warrants that should be good every night. In the absence of any sets announced in advance (like an album show) I’d pick based on day of the week or other external factors like if I think I’ll have a better chance at a seat at a good bar.
posted by fedward at 4:48 PM on September 1, 2023
Best answer: As a performer, I always enjoy the last show the most. I’m more relaxed and have already had a run-through to work out the kinks. So that’s the show I would choose to attend as an audience member, all else being equal.
That said, day of the week makes a big difference for overall vibe. If choosing between a Saturday and Sunday show I would pick Saturday.
posted by mekily at 5:07 PM on September 1, 2023 [5 favorites]
That said, day of the week makes a big difference for overall vibe. If choosing between a Saturday and Sunday show I would pick Saturday.
posted by mekily at 5:07 PM on September 1, 2023 [5 favorites]
These days, we have covid. I would try to get the first show in case subsequent shows get canceled for covid.
posted by jenfullmoon at 6:21 PM on September 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by jenfullmoon at 6:21 PM on September 1, 2023 [2 favorites]
More info needed.
For example, im told phish has a unique playlist per day and treats the entire visit as the gig. And many fans come for all days.
posted by TheAdamist at 6:43 PM on September 1, 2023
For example, im told phish has a unique playlist per day and treats the entire visit as the gig. And many fans come for all days.
posted by TheAdamist at 6:43 PM on September 1, 2023
Best answer: As a touring musician the end of the night / end of the tour is almost always better IMO. I usually have more fun playing at those times for sure
posted by capnsue at 11:47 PM on September 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by capnsue at 11:47 PM on September 1, 2023 [1 favorite]
I'd go for the second in both cases. Because (a) I'd assume the performers are going to be less likely to hold something back, because they have more to do and (b) if I went to the first show and it was really great I'd leave wishing I could also go to the second too.
posted by fabius at 5:51 AM on September 2, 2023
posted by fabius at 5:51 AM on September 2, 2023
The last night is most likely to have rare / very new material. In some cases, that may be what you want, in other cases it may not.
posted by atrazine at 7:14 AM on September 2, 2023
posted by atrazine at 7:14 AM on September 2, 2023
The last show is usually the best.
In a longer run, the second show is usually the worst. (But if the second show is the last show, it’s the best.)
Late night shows are better than early evening shows. Evening shows are better than matinées.
posted by nouvelle-personne at 12:50 PM on September 2, 2023
In a longer run, the second show is usually the worst. (But if the second show is the last show, it’s the best.)
Late night shows are better than early evening shows. Evening shows are better than matinées.
posted by nouvelle-personne at 12:50 PM on September 2, 2023
No way to know how it's going to work out. Every combination of what's going to happen will seem the most likely in retrospect.
First check Setlist.fm to see what songs are getting played. If it's the same all the time (I'm taking my daughter to see Weezer tomorrow, and they've been playing the same 24 songs with with one wildcard each night for like a year) the any performance is going to work because they will likely have everything dialed in.
That said:
On his last tour, Harry Styles had to reschedule the second half of his LA performances because he voice gave out. My wife saw the first and third of the ones he did do here, and the second one his voice was terrible and she wasn't surprised in the least when the rescheduling happened.
But, my wife also saw the first performance of the Swift Era's tour which started in April in Phoenix, and by the time the tour got to LA last month she went and said it was a night and day difference in quality, as everyone involved got better at putting on the show.
Buuuutttt, I know someone else who's basically following Beyonce around the world going to various performances on her current tour, and she says every performance is basically identical in it's (superior) quality.
I've also seen Adele a couple times during her Vegas residency thing, and that show was also identically flawless both times. Although, that one might not count since Adele just airdrops in to do shows Friday/Sat and and then goes home afterwards.
Anyway, in conclusion: who knows? Go to the ones that are most convenient.
posted by Back At It Again At Krispy Kreme at 7:04 PM on September 2, 2023
First check Setlist.fm to see what songs are getting played. If it's the same all the time (I'm taking my daughter to see Weezer tomorrow, and they've been playing the same 24 songs with with one wildcard each night for like a year) the any performance is going to work because they will likely have everything dialed in.
That said:
On his last tour, Harry Styles had to reschedule the second half of his LA performances because he voice gave out. My wife saw the first and third of the ones he did do here, and the second one his voice was terrible and she wasn't surprised in the least when the rescheduling happened.
But, my wife also saw the first performance of the Swift Era's tour which started in April in Phoenix, and by the time the tour got to LA last month she went and said it was a night and day difference in quality, as everyone involved got better at putting on the show.
Buuuutttt, I know someone else who's basically following Beyonce around the world going to various performances on her current tour, and she says every performance is basically identical in it's (superior) quality.
I've also seen Adele a couple times during her Vegas residency thing, and that show was also identically flawless both times. Although, that one might not count since Adele just airdrops in to do shows Friday/Sat and and then goes home afterwards.
Anyway, in conclusion: who knows? Go to the ones that are most convenient.
posted by Back At It Again At Krispy Kreme at 7:04 PM on September 2, 2023
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On the same night, I would go to the first.
posted by Windopaene at 4:17 PM on September 1, 2023 [1 favorite]