2017 tour reviews

[foats]

Happy tour day everybody.  I thought I would start a topic for show reviews/setlist/merch pics.   Cheers to the start of what looks to be an epic tour!

[Curtster]

Victoria Show:

 

Setlist (even though main set is implied, I'll post it for completeness)

Giant

Hello Time Bomb

Strange Days

I Miss New Wave (revisited version)

Load Me Up (original version)

Failing the Rorschach Test

Suburbia (revisited version)

Let's Get It On (revisited version)

Jenni's Song

Going All the Way

A Boy and His Machine Gun

The Future Is X-Rated

Born to Kill (revisited/original hybrid version)

Running For Home (reworked version with full band, no piano)

 

Born Losers

Unknown new song

Apparitions

Weapon

 

Notes:

The new song, sorry guys, I don't know the name of it and I had not heard it before.  It was definitely a song they had just recorded and will be on the next album, to be clear.  Matt announced it before they played it, but I don't think he said the name of it.  It was awesome though, faster paced, heavier song.  I believe (I may be wrong) that Matt has only posted one demo for next album (Bad Guys Win?), but I don't think I heard it. I don't think it was that song (again I may be wrong).  I assume he will play it at other shows, if not every one.

 

I've put notes above on which songs were played in their original state and which were played as the revisited versions.  It seemed to me that Born to Kill was a combination of the two.  Matt used an electric for it, not acoustic.  Most of the song was close to the revisited version, but then still had the loud, heavy ending.  Maybe not quite to the extent of the original album version, but it was definitely there.

 

Running for Home was played with the full band (drums, bass, everything).  Stu played the piano part on the guitar mostly, it went off into a heavier jam at the end after Matt had finished the vocals and left the stage.  Different for sure, good, to be completely honest I probably would have preferred the original, but they are improvising without having a piano player I assume.

 

I'm always surprised at songs being awesome live that I really didn't expect.  Jenni's Song may have been the highlight of the set for me, and although it's probably a bigger favourite of mine than most (so I may be biased), it was awesome.  Even Matt said afterwards, "that's a fun one, isn't it?"  I'm not an expert on the matter, but it sounded like it was played in a different key?  It sounded great.  Going All the Way was also good, Matt commented afterward that they should have put that one on the EP.  Failing the Rorschach Test, also a highlight for me.  All songs that were not on the EP were played very close the original versions, with only slight variations (with the exception of Running for Home).

 

Overall the show was amazing, Matt and the band were probably at the best I've seen them (my 7th time seeing Matt live).  Blake seemed to be particularly on point to me, maybe I just noticed him more this time.  Bass player was definitely the guy from the Heartbroken mentioned in the other thread.

 

The merch is really cool, I got a shirt (photo attached) and the patch previously posted on Instagram.  They have another monkey shirt, the soccer jersey, a poster, and of course the EP (CD) or BM on vinyl.

 

I was front row.  On a personal note, as someone with a disability, the venue is good (Alix Goolden Hall).  They let me in the back (as they did last year) just before the doors opened so I didn't have wait in line (I walk with crutches).  The crowd stayed sitting for the start of the show, before being prompted by Matt and Stu before Load Me Up to stand up, then they stood for the rest of the show.  I stayed sitting, as it's just easier for me to enjoy the show that way.  If Matt's reading this, I was the lame guy in front that didn't stand up the whole show haha, I always feel self-aware, but it's easier for me to enjoy it that way.

 

Someone in the other thread just mentioned the mix was bad from the balcony, I didn't notice anything wrong, but I'm not an audio-expert.  I did notice Matt's vocals were drowned out at few points, maybe.

 

There were a few entertaining stretches of banter, which I always look forward to at Matt's shows.

Edited February 12, 2017 by Curtster

[Guest girl]

Judging from your second picture, you must have had the best seat in the house, especially with the lower stage. Lucky! Nice shirt. Great review and thanks for sharing pictures.

[Gomo]

Ah I did call it! Revisited versions! Well actually if he was going to play any of the original versions Load Me Up is probably the one he had to play original. Couldn't get away with that one with some of the more casual fans who are probably coming.

 

All in all can't wait til next month.

[Prairieboy]

Great review, awesome pics - thx for this!!!

[emmit643]

ahhhhhhh

 

awesome shirt.

 

new song.

 

weapon; one of the best closers imo.

 

if we had emoji posting capabilities on here i would post a bunch of alternating peace sign, a-ok hand, rock on hand, praying hands, and hands to the sky fantastic/praise emojis.

 

Damn I'm excited. 

And judging from your pics Curtster, I will also have a great view at the NAC. SO STOKED.

[Stwlegend]

Was anxiously awaiting feedback from this show, thank you

[Curtster]

I'm glad you guys appreciate my comments :)

I'm sure it will be a good time for everyone who sees a show!

 

One other thing to note, for about 5 minutes before the lights went out for Matt's set, opera music was played very loud.  It definitely seemed intentional, built up some suspense for sure.  After the lights go out, there's an audio snippet and then Giant kicks in.

 

Craig Stickland is the opener, he plays some slow jams solo acoustic.  Excellent singer and guitar player, good use of looping parts with pedals for a fuller sound.  Nice guy, was at the merch table after the show saying hi to everyone.  He looks exactly like Ashton Kutcher haha.

Edited February 12, 2017 by Curtster

[adam_777]

I wanted to add that although I was adamant they needed a piano, I am now convinced that they are fine without it.  Strange Days sounds absolutely amazing full band like this.  Running for Home was different, but still good.  I think Matt forgot the lyrics in the final chorus though, he seemed to stumble on them a bit, although he covered it nicely, it's possible he meant to finish it the way he did, but it didn't seem as smooth or as confidently delivered if he had meant to do.  Matt said he wished they put the version of Going All The Way on the EP, but I thought the version of Running For Home was so totally different in its approach that it definitely should have been on the EP. 

For those asking the new song was definitely not Bad Guys Win.  Possible names could be "Way it Goes" or "Sign of Something" both of which are repeated twice in the chorus.  One thing that could be interesting is that about half of the new album was just recorded with this band, so they all know them already, meaning they could potentially cycle through all of those half dozen or so new songs on different nights.  

Edited February 12, 2017 by adam_777

[emmit643]

can't wait to hear the new song!

[daniel_v]

Victoria Show:

 

Setlist (even though main set is implied, I'll post it for completeness)

 

Giant

Hello Time Bomb

Strange Days

I Miss New Wave (revisited version)

Load Me Up (original version)

Failing the Rorschach Test

Suburbia (revisited version)

Let's Get It On (revisited version)

Jenni's Song

Going All the Way

A Boy and His Machine Gun

The Future Is X-Rated

Born to Kill (revisited/original hybrid version)

Running For Home (reworked version with full band, no piano)

 

Born Losers

Unknown new song

Apparitions

Weapon

 

Notes:

The new song, sorry guys, I don't know the name of it and I had not heard it before.  It was definitely a song they had just recorded and will be on the next album, to be clear.  Matt announced it before they played it, but I don't think he said the name of it.  It was awesome though, faster paced, heavier song.  I believe (I may be wrong) that Matt has only posted one demo for next album (Bad Guys Win?), but I don't think I heard it. I don't think it was that song (again I may be wrong).  I assume he will play it at other shows, if not every one.

 

I've put notes above on which songs were played in their original state and which were played as the revisited versions.  It seemed to me that Born to Kill was a combination of the two.  Matt used an electric for it, not acoustic.  Most of the song was close to the revisited version, but then still had the loud, heavy ending.  Maybe not quite to the extent of the original album version, but it was definitely there.

 

Running for Home was played with the full band (drums, bass, everything).  Stu played the piano part on the guitar mostly, it went off into a heavier jam at the end after Matt had finished the vocals and left the stage.  Different for sure, good, to be completely honest I probably would have preferred the original, but they are improvising without having a piano player I assume.

 

I'm always surprised at songs being awesome live that I really didn't expect.  Jenni's Song may have been the highlight of the set for me, and although it's probably a bigger favourite of mine than most (so I may be biased), it was awesome.  Even Matt said afterwards, "that's a fun one, isn't it?"  I'm not an expert on the matter, but it sounded like it was played in a different key?  It sounded great.  Going All the Way was also good, Matt commented afterward that they should have put that one on the EP.  Failing the Rorschach Test, also a highlight for me.  All songs that were not on the EP were played very close the original versions, with only slight variations (with the exception of Running for Home).

 

Overall the show was amazing, Matt and the band were probably at the best I've seen them (my 7th time seeing Matt live).  Blake seemed to be particularly on point to me, maybe I just noticed him more this time.  Bass player was definitely the guy from the Heartbroken mentioned in the other thread.

 

The merch is really cool, I got a shirt (photo attached) and the patch previously posted on Instagram.  They have another monkey shirt, the soccer jersey, a poster, and of course the EP (CD) or BM on vinyl.

 

I was front row.  On a personal note, as someone with a disability, the venue is good (Alix Goolden Hall).  They let me in the back (as they did last year) just before the doors opened so I didn't have wait in line (I walk with crutches).  The crowd stayed sitting for the start of the show, before being prompted by Matt and Stu before Load Me Up to stand up, then they stood for the rest of the show.  I stayed sitting, as it's just easier for me to enjoy the show that way.  If Matt's reading this, I was the lame guy in front that didn't stand up the whole show haha, I always feel self-aware, but it's easier for me to enjoy it that way.

 

Someone in the other thread just mentioned the mix was bad from the balcony, I didn't notice anything wrong, but I'm not an audio-expert.  I did notice Matt's vocals were drowned out at few points, maybe.

 

There were a few entertaining stretches of banter, which I always look forward to at Matt's shows.

Thanks for the review and pics!! After reading it I'm even more glad I got tickets to this tour.

 

Random thoughts:

 

-Honestly, I'm sad to hear they're playing the revisited I Miss New Wave (it just pales in comparison to the original, imo) but am glad they're at least doing a hybrid version of BTK. Nothing against the new one (since it is pretty creative) but without those epic orchestra keys and sectional movements the revisited version it just didn't have the same effect. I'm guessing the live version will pack a little more punch which will be great to hear.

 

-Pretty interested to hear the full band version of RFH now, regardless of whether I like it better than the original. 

 

-Glad they've thrown something new in the mix from the new album. The few clips we heard sounded great,

 

 

 

Quick question: were the BM versions played exactly as they were from the album, or are there slight variations?

 

 

 

 

 

[emmit643]

I found this on youtube: 

 

in the comments someone was asking where the Running for Home video went, so that might go back up too I guess?

[Curtster]

Thanks for the review and pics!! After reading it I'm even more glad I got tickets to this tour.

 

Random thoughts:

 

-Honestly, I'm sad to hear they're playing the revisited I Miss New Wave (it just pales in comparison to the original, imo) but am glad they're at least doing a hybrid version of BTK. Nothing against the new one (since it is pretty creative) but without those epic orchestra keys and sectional movements the revisited version it just didn't have the same effect. I'm guessing the live version will pack a little more punch which will be great to hear.

 

-Pretty interested to hear the full band version of RFH now, regardless of whether I like it better than the original. 

 

-Glad they've thrown something new in the mix from the new album. The few clips we heard sounded great,

 

 

 

Quick question: were the BM versions played exactly as they were from the album, or are there slight variations?

 

 

 

 

 

 

The BM songs that were not on the EP were played very closely to the album versions in my opinion, with the exception of Running for Home.

 

Regarding Born to Kill: Matt mentioned that when they used to play it in the MGB days with the orchestra track, that the track wasn't to a click, would come in at random points every night and was very difficult to play to (something along those lines).  He said he had told himself if he ever played it live again, he wouldn't do it with the orchestra track.

[hoogie]

Thanks for the review.

 

Also, very cool about the asshole shirts coming back. Here's hoping that there's still some left next month.

[eclipse]

dumb question but were the audio samples from the album played? i imagine the intro to Giant would be, but phone sex from Future is X-Rated and clock ticks on Time Bomb? 

[Guest Idioteque]

Please tell me there's some major oldschool fuzz added to the bass in hello time bomb haha.

[adam_777]

Campbell River mini review: 

The show obviously had the same main set.  The encore was: 

Apparitions
A Single Explosion
Born Losers
Weapon

Thanks to Matt for the insight on the sound.  It was night and day tonight.  The sound in the Tidemark theater is excellent and everything was coming through as such.  Matt's vocals were much clearer and with the sound being less muddy Going All The Way made a huge impression.  It's hard to believe that song has gotten so little attention live until now.  Matt's just nailed the vocal delivery.  Matt's vocals were on point all night and songs like Suburbia that were hard to discern in Victoria packed a great punch in Campbell River.  Matt seemed in a pretty good mood at the show and it came across in the performance.  As expected Victoria had some opening show jitters, and Campbell River was a more solid performance with less of the opening night hiccups.  

On a side note about the venue.  It is quite a nice theater for a town the size of Campbell River, but the staff there are intense.  I was trying to smuggle in a video camera and tripod to get some footage for you guys around the world who won't get to see the tour, but got busted at the door.  Which I understand, it's contraband I'm not supposed to be trying to bring that stuff in.  But the security was actually running through the crowd all night insisting people stop taking photos with their phones.  I've honestly never seen that at a show.  Every time some one took out their phone security swarmed.   

Anyways really enjoyed the show tonight and I'm really digging this band.  Again I must reiterate just how much these four can accomplish on stage.  The sound is so full and yet has a nice separation.  Their ability to tackle songs with layered guitars and not sound thin is very impressive.  

By the way, Matt you nailed that final chorus to Running For Home tonight, nicely done! 

2 shows down, 9 to go.  

[Curtster]

Thanks for the review of the Campbell River show.  I regret not going to that one in addition to Victoria, same as last tour.  Campbell River is actually my hometown, so it would be cool to see Matt play there.  It also would have been awesome to see A Single Explosion live again.

 

dumb question but were the audio samples from the album played? i imagine the intro to Giant would be, but phone sex from Future is X-Rated and clock ticks on Time Bomb? 

 

I don't recall any audio samples being played aside from the opening to Giant.  X-Rated and Time Bomb were played the same way they have been in recent years.

[adam_777]

Got my email for my vote on the soundcheck song. 

Basically they offer you the list of songs typically being played at the show.  All of Beautiful Midnight plus Born Losers, Apparitions, Decades, Single Explosion and Advertising on Police Cars.  Weapon is the only song he's played so far not being offered.  

[gursky]

Basically they offer you the list of songs typically being played at the show.  All of Beautiful Midnight plus Born Losers, Apparitions, Decades, Single Explosion and Advertising on Police Cars.  Weapon is the only song he's played so far not being offered.  

 

What to do, what to do?  Hear Born to Kill twice in a night or try and guarantee a chance to hear the new song Decades?  Or do I give in to my Audio of Being love and vote for Advertising on Police Cars?  I don't imagine everyone in the VIP soundcheck will be members of NF but if we could use our numbers to back one song over the other then maybe we can make a difference

[adam_777]

What to do, what to do?  Hear Born to Kill twice in a night or try and guarantee a chance to hear the new song Decades?  Or do I give in to my Audio of Being love and vote for Advertising on Police Cars?  I don't imagine everyone in the VIP soundcheck will be members of NF but if we could use our numbers to back one song over the other then maybe we can make a difference

I assume the NF members are in the minority.  It seems like at most shows there is only 1-5 members of NF, where as the Vancouver shows last year probably had 30 people there for the VIP.  With going to as many shows as I am I'm assuming I'll hear all of these, Advertising is the only song on the list I haven't heard.  Tough to say how people will vote, I guess it depends on the fans going, Matt might wind up playing Time Bomb at every VIP haha.  I think I'm voting Running for Home, what the hell.  I love the song, and even though I'll hear it 11 times on this trek, why not try and make it 12 or 13.  

 

For people attending just one show though I could see the rationale behind voting Police Cars, Decades or A Single Spark as it seems like those will be the ones rotated, I can't see Born Losers and Apparitions not getting played at every show.  The VIP specifically states you can bring in audio recordings so I'm guessing we can get some decent recordings in their Gursky, the room will be quiet and we don't have to go stealth.  

[gursky]

I assume the NF members are in the minority.  It seems like at most shows there is only 1-5 members of NF, where as the Vancouver shows last year probably had 30 people there for the VIP.  With going to as many shows as I am I'm assuming I'll hear all of these, Advertising is the only song on the list I haven't heard.  Tough to say how people will vote, I guess it depends on the fans going, Matt might wind up playing Time Bomb at every VIP haha.  I think I'm voting Running for Home, what the hell.  I love the song, and even though I'll hear it 11 times on this trek, why not try and make it 12 or 13.  

 

For people attending just one show though I could see the rationale behind voting Police Cars, Decades or A Single Spark as it seems like those will be the ones rotated, I can't see Born Losers and Apparitions not getting played at every show.  The VIP specifically states you can bring in audio recordings so I'm guessing we can get some decent recordings in their Gursky, the room will be quiet and we don't have to go stealth.  

 

Go nearly two decades without hearing a song (or closer to rarely as possible) and when you finally do get a chance you may as well swing for the fences and hear it as many times as possible.  If NF Bored members aren't in a position to sway the vote either way then I'll probably vote for Police Cars or Decades.  

 

I didn't know that recordings would be allowed as part of the VIP experience - did that information come with the email telling you the details for the Vancouver one?  It's a nice tough, unfortunately it won't change my setup.  I have everything arranged for stealth and will leave it as is, at least I won't feel as obvious with the house lights on.   

[adam_777]

Here is the wording on the VIP PDF that was emailed

The use of personal camera / recording devices will be permitted in the pre-show VIP event, with no flash. Please note that there will not be individual photo opportunities with Matthew outside of the VIP Package group photo

*Just realized Born to Kill isn't actually on the list.  Every other BM track is though 

Edited February 13, 2017 by adam_777

[andydanger85]

This all sounds exciting! Thanks for sharing, all.

[Guest Idioteque]

Avalanche would make a beautiful encore opener.