Just watched the iTunes interview on the ITV website; Mike says for this gig he’s reminded of a venue in Chester’s hometown Phoenix, AZ. Out of curiosity had a look on that year and I see:
01.07.2001 Phoenix, AZ Blockbuster Desert Sky Pavilion (8,000 / 20,000)
or
11.11.2001 Phoenix, AZ Veteran's Memorial Coliseum (14,000)
He could’ve meant to say 2000, it’s hard to pinpoint memories 10 years ago. But got me wondering, how many small venue (<=4000 capacity) gigs have LP played?
I was also reading some posts further back (like GraDoN #766) about talking in the show and I think that lines should be re-used each night. So long as they don't out and out lie by saying this is the best crowd we've had on tour at each night, it's fine. It is a performance. Most nights they will have great crowds and if those standard lines brings the crowd into the performance and excites them, then they should say it each night. But as Hahninator says, they aren't just saying everything the same (#829) which is awesome.
On the other hand, I do believe strongly in taking a few minutes to talk to fans. What I miss are the little intermissions, kidding around, introducing a song, thanking the audience or fans, pick them up lines, side to side singing battles (think that would be sweet on W&K). Chester thanked the MFR auction winners at iTunes, but given that they are passionate about MFR, they should talk about it at each gig for 3 minutes or so - especially here where it would be televised because the message gets out that way.
More dialogue should come back, but I can understand if they want to be professional (especially for televised) and give a solid performance with disrupting momentum.
I do agree with Hahninator on #739 that they are rushing through the set a bit, but is this more because of time more than anything else? I always see the 1hour30-45 as a bit low in comparison to some other artists, but, its a good amount and I'm not complaining - I hear what I want and there isn't a lull. I do remember hearing Joe asking Mike at the Summit about enough time, so by not speaking are they trying to squeeze more in for us each night?