2022 Tour - tuned down song experiments - which ones worked, which ones not as much?

foriginalsin

Its totally cool when they do it. If it means i get to hear songs that I wouldn’t in the normal key, im all for it. 

bigbiggzy

They’ve tuned songs down off and on over the years… I think the first time I remember seeing/hearing it was in 08 / 09’ish…

Not a big deal. Most folks don’t even notice…

EF, WES, QE were all tuned down at Camden.  No one around me seemed to care or notice… I couldn’t have cared less. They rocked the hell out. As did I and everyone around me in my section. So fun!!

Honestly…Camden ‘22 was probably among one of the best shows I’ve seen out of my 30’ish. 

foriginalsin

Camden was one of the 3 best setlists of this year. 

bigbiggzy

I agree…

All in all… It’s impressive how they varied up the setlist this go.

TinaE

PB11041 said:

I get being somewhat atune to this especially musicians.  But i feel like it gets way over thought.  PJ didnt invent down tuning, though they have been doing it for years, it is part of the process of performing.  As a fan of live music I honestly don't care if they down tune as long as they are performing well, frankly I don't want the songs to sound exactly as they do off the record, I already have the records.

Agree. For me, a good band shouldn't sound live like on the album. And PJ just sounded and sound great live whether they play slower or in a different key.

mace1229

I only saw the Nashville show. I couldn’t tell a difference. 

I mentioned in another thread about the acoustics that STBC sounded muddy to me and a comment was that’s because it was tuned down. I don’t think that’s why. It was just so loud I couldn’t hear the little guitar licks, just the power chords. But I don’t see how the tuning would effect that.

2-feign-reluctance

The bootlegs sound fucking amazing. Let’s talk more after you’ve listened to what they’ve released this year so far. I bet you won’t fuss over some minor key changes after doing so! 

foriginalsin

Its not fussing or complaining. Its fine if you don’t hear the difference, its just a music theory discussion. 

Merkin Baller

foriginalsin said:

Its not fussing or complaining. Its fine if you don’t hear the difference, its just a music theory discussion. 

& an interesting one at that. I didn't make it to any shows this year so I can't speak for Pearl Jam, but Tool has been playing the Pot in a different key live in recent years, and it does make a difference in how it sounds. 

People do realize that they don't have to comment on every thread, right? Discussing something the band is doing differently doesn't automatically = bitching about it. 

mcgruff10

ForceofNature101 said:

mcgruff10 said:

I've been playing guitar for 25 years and I couldn't tell the difference.

For me I always have been key-aware, definitely the perfect pitch plays a part in it but the change in vibes can be interesting to me

I can tell when I'm out of tune but don't have the ear to tell the difference in tuning.  I like the fact that they are playing songs different to help Ed out.  

nicknyr15

Merkin Baller said:

foriginalsin said:

Its not fussing or complaining. Its fine if you don’t hear the difference, its just a music theory discussion. 

& an interesting one at that. I didn't make it to any shows this year so I can't speak for Pearl Jam, but Tool has been playing the Pot in a different key live in recent years, and it does make a difference in how it sounds. 

People do realize that they don't have to comment on every thread, right? Discussing something the band is doing differently doesn't automatically = bitching about it. 

My thoughts exactly. 

Weston1283

I could tell the difference on many of the songs this tour, but I don’t think it took away from the experience at all.  They’re adjusting to Eddie’s current range and it’s completely fine. 

You can even hear it on Alive if you check out the Ottawa bootleg.  

I think live, it’s most noticeable on Corduroy 

mcg.j.sean

I listened to a lot of the quebec and ottawa boots. Two things:

1. I noticed it but it didn't really detract overall from the songs (I did think MYM suffered because of it though). 
2. Eddie sounds amazing, way better than I recall on some of the 2016 boots I heard. 

I think it's a good trade-off if it helps Ed sound this good. 

Merkin Baller

Something happened w/ DTE a few years back where Stone forgot to switch out his guitar for the different tuning and they played it in a different key by accident... it was definitely noticeable that something was different about it that night (was that one of the Fenway '18 shows?). Of course, that was accidental where it seems now it's planned. 

Like with the shorter sets, I'm fine if they have to play in different keys to prolong Ed's singing career. That doesn't mean people can't discuss / acknowledge these changes though. 

bigbiggzy

I also think there might be some consideration by the band/ guitar techs related to the logistics of the setlist. 

Meaning… They may play a song tuned down due to the previous song/songs that may have been in the same key.

(Most seem to be assuming it’s soley related to EV.) 

Gern Blansten

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRnvcfbzb0Y

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S73ypK3As8I

CopperTom

It has 0% to do with the techs.  0.000000%

Merkin Baller

CopperTom said:

It has 0% to do with the techs.  0.000000%

Agreed… why even have guitar techs if they aren’t backstage preparing the instruments for the next song? 

pmasonkc

Mortality said:

Overall, I think it's a really positive thing that they should stick to. Dissident is the only song that actually sounds worse tuned down. Release and Garden sound amazing. It was so nice to see Ed not struggling to hit the high notes in Release. Helps the performance so much. 

This is absolutely my take too.  I play enough guitar to notice a slight difference but the only major difference I noticed was Dissident.  The opening riff by Mike just doesn't sound the same.

I think Release actually sounds better, the lower key doesn't change much and Ed's vocals are so much stronger.

KCjam

Oceans from Columbia 2016 seems tuned down, played in a different key maybe?  I was at that show and initially thought they were having some sound issues right off the bat.  Then realized when I bought the boot that that was not the case. 

Actually sounds really good.  I love this version of it.  Has a whole different vibe!