2013 North American Tour Stats

I will be the dissenter-

While I continue to be amazed at the breadth of their song selections, there are elements that are more formulaic this tour than there ever has been.

Example #1-
7 of the 1st 8 shows this tour had the following closing songs. It's like Ed's choosing which "show closing" sequence to use. He never use to do this-

Alive-Sonic Reducer-Indifference - (3) shows
Alive-Baba O'Riley-Yellow Ledbetter - (2) shows
Black-Alive-Rockin in the Free World - Yellow Ledbetter - (2) shows (was on the way to a 3rd in Baltimore before Ed invited that guy on stage and Jeff walked off at the end of RITFW)

Example #2 -
Porch has been played at all (10) shows, twice the main set closer, and 8 times the 1st encore closer. It has closed the 1st encore each of the last 6 shows. They used to play Porch maybe 50% of the shows

Example #3 -
Every single main set or 1st set closer this tour has been either Betterman, Porch, or Rearviewmirror. They are 20 for 20 with these three tunes. Closers used to include a wider variety of choices, 8 or 10 different songs in a tour at least, and rarely felt like they were being rotated like this tour.

Example #4 -
The opening 6 or 7 songs are structured almost the same each show. I get Pendulum to be the regular opener this tour, I'm cool with that. New album and all, unique tune, perfect for an opener. But, the formula has been very clear - Pendulum, then old opener, then slow tune or acoustic. 8 of 10 shows has been this exactly, with only exceptions being the two Worcester shows, where they went Release as the opener night 1 and went to GTF on the 3rd song on the shortened set 1 for night 2.

None of these are inherently bad, and I still quite enjoy the shows I go to due to the unpredictability that still exists. However, it is very clear that these sets are nowhere near as creative as they used to be.