Born under a bad sign: In defense of the DJ set

[bloodbath]

Let's be clear from the start, I was a fan of the infamous DJ set, even though I know it's despised by many, but stick with me, I think I can prove that wasn't so terrible as some of you think.

 

It was the first time that the band divided the set in acts, and even though I consider the One More Light tour the blueprint of the current FZ tour (as both have long setlists with small variations each shoe, rather than 3 or 4 very distinct sets), the DJ set planted the seed with its acts. 

 

Some argue that the main problem was to have this kind of show when you're presenting your heaviest album to date, and while it certainly this is partially to blame, the real reason was this: Expectations

 

Let's rewind back to 2009. After a fantastic tour with numerous setlists, they did a small one during summer just because they wanted to (yes, I know about New Divide but one song doesn't justify a tour). Despite have one unique setlist I haven't seen many detractors of that setlist. Why almost nobody complain about having just one setlist? Because people knew that it was just a short tour and they didn't expect that much. It was just a "bonus" tour, so whatever it comes will be appreciated.

 

But having that same setlist for an entire year after having rotating setlist? That doesn't work at all. Look at the early ATS European tour, how it started and how it ended.

 

If they had played the DJ tour during an hypothetical "Recharged" tour with 20 dates or so, it would have been remembered under a very different light.

 

But essentially having the same setlist (with a couple of variations here and there) for a lengthy year, is exhausting... Specially after three tours with numerous variations. 

 

Why they didn't change the setlist at all until 2015? This is just a theory but first, I think the DJ was Mike's final culmination of endless live variations of songs over the years. Even though they still create new intros and variations, none of them haven't gone so far as in that setlist, and obviously you don't renounce to your "masterpiece" so soon. 

 

And second, the setlist was doomed to fail, born under an album that most of the band didn't believe in, the easiest thing was to past through the tour dates and call it a day. They didn't rehearse most of the album because most of them weren't on board with the new songs. Even in 2015 when they returned to an old format, we had the same issue of one setlist, but I think that by that time, LP was a tired band. And even though I'm not a huge fan of OML, the tour proved that they had a new energy and enthusiasm.

 

The DJ set was a great idea, but by all means, born under the worst circumstances.

[Rasputin 93]

First thing: I wouldn't call it a DJ set, but rather a mixtape. Besides that, I'm a huge fan of it and am really saddened that Berlin 2014 wasn't actually released, nor any other full show from this tour cycle besides the proshots we got. I want a fully mixed soundboard audio though.

[NimaLP]

I really loved the 2014 THP tour set. The summer european tour set had my mind blown. The problem was that there weren't any exciting changes to it after that tour. They had just released their heaviest album, perfect for the live shows and they didn't play a better half of it. I'm so happy that they changed their way for OML and FZ and started to play more new songs.

[KeysToTheLinkinPark]

I think one of the main reasons why this type of setlist was poorly received is the lack of changes. Many could have put up with the shortened songs if there had at least been some variety. As you have already written. This issue combined with the release of THP was a killer for me. Ultimately, the songs on this album weren't given the space to unfold in a live environment. We now see that even a song like KTTK has great potential as a live song. It's not played very often either. I just think that you have to give certain songs the time they need to get a good response from the audience. Two Faced would get a completely different response in Brazil today than it did on its release date. Also because the song is part of the setlist. The fact that, after playing 5 songs from THP in autumn 2014, they turned up in 2015 and only played 3 songs was of course a joke.

 

I would never accuse the band of being lazy, simply because I know how exhausting touring etc. can be. Of course it's difficult to change the setlist a lot when the main part of the band wants to play 90 minutes and you have to fill 85-90% of the setlist with the greatest hits. There's not much room left for new songs.

 

[Qwerty18]

I agree that the biggest issue with the 2014-2015 touring cycle was, by far, the lack of THP tracks being played.

 

I mean, look at this touring cycle. It's for From Zero promotion, and it feels like it. So much material from the album, and everything else is added on top of that. Same for the 2017 shows, very OML centric, and the rest of the setlist was made so that it matches the theme : more ballads, etc.

 

2014-2015 felt like "Biggest hits featuring one or two random new tracks we'll shelve at the first opportunity". Come on. It was their "carnivore" tour, it should have felt like it, with 7-8 songs from the record being played on a constant basis. Something like "War" would have been pretty easy, in theory, to add to any set. Takes like 2 minute, and the solo could have been whatever live, it's not like it's very "purposeful" on the record either ^^'

 

To some extend, the same issue plagued the Living Things cycle as well. So many tracks from that album left unperformed.

Edited June 25 by Qwerty18

[bloodbath]

12 hours ago, Qwerty18 said:

2014-2015 felt like "Biggest hits featuring one or two random new tracks we'll shelve at the first opportunity". Come on. It was their "carnivore" tour, it should have felt like it, with 7-8 songs from the record being played on a constant basis. Something like "War" would have been pretty easy, in theory, to add to any set. Takes like 2 minute, and the solo could have been whatever live, it's not like it's very "purposeful" on the record either ^^'

 

To some extend, the same issue plagued the Living Things cycle as well. So many tracks from that album left unperformed.

That's my biggest complain, they weren't a band with 20+ years of history and a bunch of filler albums to be relying on a greatest hits setlist. They've always taken huge risks and during 2012-15 I have the feeling that some of the band didn't believe in the new material 

[Soeffingnaive92]

19 hours ago, Qwerty18 said:

I agree that the biggest issue with the 2014-2015 touring cycle was, by far, the lack of THP tracks being played.

 

I mean, look at this touring cycle. It's for From Zero promotion, and it feels like it. So much material from the album, and everything else is added on top of that. Same for the 2017 shows, very OML centric, and the rest of the setlist was made so that it matches the theme : more ballads, etc.

 

2014-2015 felt like "Biggest hits featuring one or two random new tracks we'll shelve at the first opportunity". Come on. It was their "carnivore" tour, it should have felt like it, with 7-8 songs from the record being played on a constant basis. Something like "War" would have been pretty easy, in theory, to add to any set. Takes like 2 minute, and the solo could have been whatever live, it's not like it's very "purposeful" on the record either ^^'

 

To some extend, the same issue plagued the Living Things cycle as well. So many tracks from that album left unperformed.

Crazy that they did 3 tours after LT release and they NEVER performed IBG, RU, STB, UIB and Powerless, HALF of the album

[NimaLP]

7 hours ago, Soeffingnaive92 said:

Crazy that they did 3 tours after LT release and they NEVER performed IBG, RU, STB, UIB and Powerless, HALF of the album

Powerless is the big one in my opinion. Back when LT came out it was one of the most popular songs on the album. Them not performing it live is still mind boggling to me.

 

Whenever a new album comes out, obviously not every song is going to be a setlist staple. But performing as many new songs as possible early on, like they did with OML and FZ gives them a chance. The greatest hits are always gonna be there anyway. They really messed that part up with LT and THP. THP is one of my favorite albums ever and it hurts me to see it doesn't get the recognition it deserves.

 

Also just a few thoughts on the THP tour setlist; is it just me or ALTNC never sounded good when LP played it? By the way, I just remembered how "Lift me up, let me go" was everywhere on the setlist lol.

[Soeffingnaive92]

14 hours ago, NimaLP said:

Powerless is the big one in my opinion. Back when LT came out it was one of the most popular songs on the album. Them not performing it live is still mind boggling to me.

 

Whenever a new album comes out, obviously not every song is going to be a setlist staple. But performing as many new songs as possible early on, like they did with OML and FZ gives them a chance. The greatest hits are always gonna be there anyway. They really messed that part up with LT and THP. THP is one of my favorite albums ever and it hurts me to see it doesn't get the recognition it deserves.

 

Also just a few thoughts on the THP tour setlist; is it just me or ALTNC never sounded good when LP played it? By the way, I just remembered how "Lift me up, let me go" was everywhere on the setlist lol.

Totally agree, as much as I like ALTNC it’s was pretty bad live