Obscure vs Most Well Known
 

You know it's ages since I started a thread with a poll.

OK, due to some weird mishap in the space time continuum your favourite band are playing 2 gigs at the very same time.

Gig no.1 - They're playing their most well known, biggest selling, critically acclaimed album in it's entirety

Gig no.2 - They're playing obscure album tracks, B sides, maybe a few covers . Basically stuff they've never or hardly ever played before with no hits in sight whatsoever.

Which gig do you go to?

Don't just stop at that. Suggest albums you'd like to see with a set based around them in their entirety, compile a set list of obscure songs you'd like to see your favourite band play.

Just say something.

I'd go see a whole album played. When it comes down to it, I'm an album kind of person, and while I enjoy the surprises of a live set, I don't listen to a lot of B-sides or EPs or covers, and it wouldn't be as satisfying to see an artist play a bunch of songs I didn't know and love.

One album I feel should be played in full and not cut and pasted from is the Antlers' Hospice.

Though probably any concept album would do.

I would go to gig 2 because it would be nice to hear music that I may have not heard before or am unfamiliar with, rather than watching something I've already listened to and that has had a lot of promotion already.

This, kind of. It would be so much cooler to see my favorite band and be able to say "I saw what was probably a one-of-a-kind show" rather than "I saw the same show they put on day in and day out, something they are probably totally sick of performing"

Like Pedestrian, I'm also an album person. But when it comes to live shows, I'd much rather be surprised and see something different, as RVCA and Ben said. As much as I'd hate to cop out and say this, I'd rather a hybrid of both. Play the album tracks and throw in the b-sides, new material, demos and covers along with it.

If I ever had the opportunity to go to my favorite bands concert I'd choose gig 2. The classics are what I've heard probably a thousand times. I'd like to switch up the pace and maybe discover some new favorites.

Gig 2, I think it makes for a much more special concert experience if they play the B sides and covers, it seems more intimate to me.

I would pick gig 2 also. Steely Dan's lastest live shows a few years back consisted of performing the entirety of the albums The Royal Scam and Aja. I would like to see them in concert covering the albums You Cant Buy A Thrill and/or Pretzel Logic.

Let's see...Phish playing Junta in its entirety for the first time ever, and really tearing it up would be amazing. Particularly considering the rarities already on that album, although I've no idea how they could play the track "Union Federal" as it was improvisation completely.

But the second show, I'd still have a shot at seeing Icculus...in addition to A Song I Heard the Ocean Sing, Harpua, Col. Forbin's > Mockingbird, Walfredo, Esther...and other songs I've been chasing for eons.

Then again, "You Enjoy Myself" is a commonly played song I've never heard live, and it's on Junta.

Hmm.

Well, since they play two set shows, I'll take Junta, as it's bound to be more jammy and a more memorable show in Phistory.

I would like to hear some of Beefheart's more obscure stuff, such as a few of his later albums. Then again, I'm sure a lot of people don't even know what Trout Mask Replica is... His being dead would also become problematic. Rest in peace, Captain!

Gig 1 without a doubt, as this is more than likely going to be one the albums of the group that I`d really want to hear live.

Half the time watching a group I like, trudge through a whole load of covers that normally sound inferior to the original, rareties or b-sides that were usually not considered good enough to get onto the albums works against gig 2.

The only time gig 2 would really work for me, is if they picked out a whole load of obscure album tracks that I really liked.

Every time I'm at a concert and the band plays a B-side or a cover, as pleasant as it is, I don't enjoy it the same because I don't know it as well.

Definitely the seminal album... if you think about it, that's going to be a special unique show itself as bands usually end up playing a mix of hits and new material for whatever they're promoting. I would ****ing love to see Dino Jr. playing You're Living All Over Me the whole way through. That, and I had to factor in that they are my favorite band, but a album of not so popular songs just wouldn't be good because, well, quite a few of the tracks after Lou left and before he came back, I can definitely go without hearing live...

I would probably go with the seminal album option. And just because they're playing an album through doesn't mean it wouldn't be a unique experience. I mean, the performances Talking Heads gave after releasing Remain in Light presented the album very differently from the studio recording, same goes with My Bloody Valentine's performances of Loveless. I'd much rather hear a different take on stuff I love than listen to songs that I just don't like very much.

I'll go for the seminal album gig, I think the atmosphere would be alot better at that gig than the b sides/rare songs one because of the fact there wouldnt be any snobbery, only people who love the music. I just have a horrible image that the rare material gig would have hundreds of people slowly disappearing up their own arses as they try to proclaim themselves as bigger fans than anyone else because they have heard that b side on that single that was only pressed 500 times and only ever released in Botswana, and would scoff at anyone who hadnt.

Give me the big hits and euphoric crowd who all know each song as well as everyone else does, who are lost in the moment and completely get into it. Give me this:







I just came.

I voted for the obscure album tracks, B-Sides, covers, etc... show. Case in point, my favorite band, The Replacements. Some of their most famous shows consisted of covers, them swapping instruments during the show, etc... What fun!

Here's an example of a couple 'Mats covers from a classic show from 1981. The bass player, Tommy Stinson, was only 14 at the time of this show.





This one's just audio and from a later show (not sure of the year).

I don't mean to dominate the thread but I've got one more. How would you pass up an Elliott Smith show with these covers?

Big Star - 13


John Lennon - Jealous Guy (rude, noisy, crowd during an AMAZING cover)


The Beatles - I Me Mine

i picked a seminal album in its entirety live

but generally, i'm a singles person, i'd rather watch the Stones or KISS play all their hits

Mastodon's Aragon show did the entire Crack the Skye along with a song from each of the other albums (not necessarily the most popular) and a Melvins cover. I'd say that's my kinda show as well. This show in particular i'd prefer to see Blood Mountain live. Surprises are nice, but i dunno, I guess i'd like to see a full album, or some hits. I do usually like the bands' hits, but usually if i'm into them enough i'll like a good bit of the less popular/overlooked material. And i love hearing covers live. I dunno, just gimme a good show and i'm good.

Amen to all this! However, i disagree about Mascis Jr. material; Green Mind and some of Where You Been (especially What Else is New) are great and would be great live. But yeah, i don't remember if they played a lot of YLAOM when i saw them; then again, i hadn't listened to that album yet when they came here.