Who's going? I'm pumped, my first ever Rush show (first time they come here since I first got into the band two years ago). Any place they hang out at before the show?
Saw the Austin show and though I say it every time I see them, they just get better and better. You're in for a real rock show, my friend. Congratulations on barely not missing the boat.
Standing in the rain, with his head hung low Couldn't get a ticket, it was a sold out show Seen them 6 or 7 times, but can't go tonight due to a previous engagement. Really hope this isn't truly the last tour. Didn't KISS do a "farewell tour" in like, 1999?
Me too. Fortunately, I have seen them every other time they have come thru since 2000 so I dont feel *too* bad about missing it this time. The thing is, they are saying it will be the last "major" tour, so if I read between the lines that means they will still tour, but they will go on much shorter tours in the future. I'm hopeful Neal will consent to continuing to play after this one, he is always the one who has to be talked into going back out every time.
Saw the Dallas show on Monday. They were damn good albeit the set list wasn't my favorite. But, they were tight and sounded very good. Geddy did say "hello, Houston!" to the Dallas crowd. Everyone was like "WTF?" before he corrected himself saying "wait a minute...this is Dallas...not Houston". Lol. And, unbelievably, it was more packed for this show than the last show where they filmed it for release. Definitely a weekend crowd on a Monday night! They played a few old tunes they never play. But, the newer stuff seemed to be stuff played before. I was only disappointed in the fact they didn't get to any other newer material. And, obviously, some older hits were skipped this tour because they have been playing them so much on previous tours. They do have three different, rotating setlists (A, B, C) where they switch out some songs. Overall, it was a great show. I just wish they hit on more stuff they haven't played...especially on the newer side. I'll tell you...my ears were ringing after that one but didn't want to wear plugs as it sounded so good from the 10th row. Had a great view of Alex all night long. Man, my feet were hurting after standing for so long with no way to really move; felt like they were going to fall off there. I definitely felt my age after that show. But, they brought a lot of energy and were on fire! And, I thought Geddy sounded really good as his voice is still fresh. Have fun!!!! Oh...and Geddy did say the usual "hope to see you again sometime" blurb when signing off. There is no definite "we're not touring any more" albeit Alex has said his arthritis is spreading to his hands now (when it wasn't there before) and Neil has elbow tendinitis among other things. Alex said Neil plays in pain and is a definite trooper about it. Geddy wants to take the tour to Europe after the US dates if things go well. The talk for the future is more about no more huge tours. I could see them doing small tours in the future. They want to release at least one more album and I bet they start it fresh from this tour. I see at least one more tour on a new album a few years down the line imo.
For those that went, how did you like it? I saw a review over at Chron. Reading the comments...someone complained about the encore songs that were chosen. Said they lost the audience at the end. I guess not everyone is honky dory with the old tunes they played there. LOL. I thought it was an interesting selection to close the show. I still wish Rush would have dived into newer songs they have never played live. I really wanted to hear "Vapor Trail" from the Vapor Trails album...but they played another song from that album they always play. My only gripes is they didn't change up enough songs in the first set and played too many songs (3) from their latest album after they played almost that entire album live on the last tour. But, they are playing what they want to play...while also considering what to play for the audience that we want to hear. But, watching a lot of those songs being played yet again is like watching the same show over and over and over. It's like watching "2112" which must be played every show or else. I swear I was having flashbacks to every show I've ever seen and the performance of that song because they play it every show. Same goes for "Tom Sawyer". I'm not really complaining...just minor gripes. I think they didn't want to re-learn a lot of songs they never played...which is understandable because that probably requires a lot of time to do. So, they go with what they know. It's tough because they have so many songs. It's still a great show imo. The stage workers and what they did to the stage set-up during the show while the band played was really cool (without spoiling it for those who have yet to go see them in their city).
I don't know what they encored with in Htown, but Austin setlist was one of the best ever.... with some Hemispheres, Cygnus X-1, Jacob's Ladder for crying out loud... Xanadu?! Encore was Lakeside Park, Anthem, What You're Doin, and Working man... fantastic. I enjoyed the show that much more than the last, which is how I've felt about almost every show of theirs I've ever been to....which is a lot. Anyone that complained about this set list is awfully hard to please, if you ask me. Never read the Chron comments unless you do so with gilbert gottfried's, debbie downer's or Stephen Wright's voice in your head for perspective. Oh, and THIS Is priceless.
http://www.setlist.fm/search?query=rush&year=2015&artist=13d6dd1d&venue=4bd61fc6 At the set break they changed Neil's current config kit to the old school double kick drum set, complete with the bells at the back and the mammoth "14 tom on the front of the kit. Finish was a metallic grey, with the first sets kit the very similar to the R30 kit. I knew they would play my 2 least fave Rush songs, Roll the Bones and Closer to the Heart and they did, perfectly timed pee break on RTB! Xanadu had both Alex and Geddy on double neck guitars. Epic! TBH, I thought they looked old and a bit slower this time, maybe they are still warming up for this tour.
I will never fully accept a set list without "Freewill" on it. Don't ask me to. I won't do it. NOT GON DO IT! The crowd always goes nuts on that song, too. It was a good set list, though. RTB is one of the band's faves but they've played it into the ground on previous tours considering it's nowhere near the quality of bigger hits like TS or TSOR. They just like playing it. The actor cameos in the rap video for the song were kind of funny. Some people were burning out on the 9th row. Thought they would get busted there but they pulled it off. lol
Freewill pretty much defines the entire Rush philosophy, doesn't it? I'm surprised they don't play it back to back with Tom Sawyer every single performance.
I would bet Freewill is one they cannot play anymore due to old age. Those solos from Alex. whew!! For me playing Roll the Bones is inexcusable and I would much rather hear Dreamline instead!
