In time Matt,you will hear a show,and you go "nope,that's missing something."
As far as the encores,that depends.I have no problem with a new song being played during the encore,just as long as its worthy.Example being Just Breathe or The End off Backspacer.Two new tunes,but they are classics.Thats fine.
Now,if they played Got Some or Ole during the encore,I would be like come on man !!! So it depends.
The Hartford show had Sleight Of Hand (a song I like alot).But,IMO,there is no way that tune should be played during the encore.Play it before Inside Job, during the main set, thats fine.
DMB face similar dilemma's with their sets.The older hardcore fans (me) "just want the old stuff".If a newer tune is played in the wrong spot,forget it.The DMB forums go nuts.I actually like their last 2 albums,and have no problem hearing their new songs.They have been playing a new tune called Drunken Soldier during the encore..thats fine by me,since its such a great song.
So Im saying if a song is great,its great..whether or not its old or new...
I think many bands who stay around long enough have that issue. Let's face it even thought PJ, Oasis, and U2 have released some great stuff during the second half of their existence, it'll never compare to the earlier work. It's just how it goes. In my mind, only Radiohead seem to be an exception - but I'll still take The Bends, OKC, and Kid A over their newer stuff.
Another example (and much more severe) is The Smashing Pumpkins. I went to see them back in October and they opening the show with their ENTIRE new album - and most of the crowd had little or no interest in hearing it. However, when they played all their hits from the 1990's during the second half of the concert, the crowd went nuts. I'm not being sarcastic when I say that must be difficult (or at least frustrating) for those musicians when this happens.
It'll be interesting to see what happens at the Soundgarden shows over the next little while. Will there be a lot of fans who just want the old stuff (but not too old) or will they embrace King Animal? Fortunately they are playing smaller venues so it should be the latter.
hard to say what an encore should be for me. old stuff? new stuff?
the best way is going through a mix (mostly oldies though) adding some surprises/rarities; PJ have the lucky, or better saying, the will to go through a wide range of choices .. if nothing for the lenght of their encores. similar for Bruce and his long ride through classics during the encores (sometimes just opening with a new song).
i don't mind new songs in the encore if i think for best example of Ultra Violet, Lemon, Love Is Blindness during ZooTV/Zooropa (or Moment staying nowadays) .. definetely not the same if new songs are like All Because of You, Yahweh, Vertigo to close a show and a show and a show and on.. hehe
well In Rainbows is better than Backspacer (and Avocado, comparing their last second album) but .. considering post 2000 .. Riot Act is better than any Radiohead of the new millenium .. for me of course
(Kid A not considered)
Ten > Pablo Honey
Vs > The Bends
Vitalogy <> OK Computer
No code < Kid A (not so sure though)
Yield > Amnesiac
Binaural < Hail To The Thief
Riot act > In Rainbows
Avocado > The King Of Limbs
Backspacer
trying to compare the debut albums is pure sci-fi hehehe
Ten >>> Pablo Honey
Vs = The Bends
Vitalogy < OK Computer
No Code < Kid A
Yield > Amnesiac (today, anyway...not too sure how I voted in the survey)
Binaural > Hail to the Thief
Riot Act << In Rainbows
Avocado > King of Limbs (not really that "thrilled" with either of these albums, to be honest).
