Keeping Sane While Touring - How Do They Do it??

[Volt]

How to keep from going crazy while touring and having to play the same songs 1000 times.

When I played for a living throughout most of the'70s we continuously changed our songlist. How do guys like Luke, et al, keep from going completely nuts from having to play the same songs from their latest album over and over and over again?

I was fortunate to see (and have a beer with) Luke last fall in Cleveland on his ECT tour and you would never know that he had played the same songs a bazillion times. Plus, he was still recouping from strep throat. Terrific show. Luke was very friendly and seemed like a great guy.

In my bands I remember, that by the time we had learned a new song we were already sick of it. For me, seeing the audience dancing and/or getting into what we were playing made it all worthwhile and kept me from going nuts.
How do they do it?

 

[kneeoh]

DT tend to change their set list on a daily basis and they also mess around with arrangements.

 

[nickowatson]

Keeping things fresh, improvising, trying to get the most out of each other musically speaking and just enjoying the music your playing is my guess. You have to be able to entertain different crowds so it could be a challenge.

 

[Bungo]

I think Rush have been replaced by robots?

Whilst they always look like they're enjoying themselves, they keep their set the same night after night... even Geddy's talking between songs is identical every night.

I love Rush but I do wonder how they maintain that level of uniformity without going a bit bonkers?

 

[e.mate]

I love Rush but I do wonder how they maintain that level of uniformity without going a bit bonkers?

.....that's it....you have to go nuts first, before becoming a rockstar *lol* After that, you're fine touring the world *ggggg*

 

[Dizzy]

Groupies.

 

[Colin]

rolls royce into the swimming pool, throw a tele out the window, nail your furniture to the ceiling...

 

[Bungo]

Groupies.

I suppose Rush could just pop round to a local nursing home after the show?.....

I'll get my coat.....

 

[Brand X]

I play two or three times a week and have done for a few years - but even back when I was doing short tours......I've noticed that the only thing that keeps me sane is whether the crowd like what you're doing or not.

I can play the same songs forever if everyone is up for a good night, but (much like our gig on Saturday) if people just ain;t that into it - it suddenly dawns on you how often the songs have been played and the world becomes a very weary place ...LOL!

Each gig we'll add two or three that we haven't played for a while.......and just keep learning new songs to keep the recycle process going...

 

[nickdanger]

I've toured 7-8 months out of the year for the past 4 years or so. The reason I stay sane is because of this quote: "beats working at Burger King, bro."

Nothing beats getting to perform songs I love, see new places, and hang out with friends and family I wouldn't otherwise get to see every 3-4 months. So I'd say these guys have it easy!!!

 

[Jonny Dubai]

drugs????

 

[parker1963]

Ping Pong,Bluejays Baseball watching, and Xbox....at least that's what keeps Rush firing on all clyinders.

park

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

Providing the crowd love it, I could play the same songs every night forever. Its the audience that makes or breaks it for me.

 

[ScoobySteve]

World of Warcraft?

 

[petruccirocks02]

I think guys like Luke, the guys in DT, etc. don't get bored of playing 'Pull Me Under' for example 50 times on a tour because they're constantly feeding off the crowds energy. Keep in mind that even though a bunch of people have heard that song before, there will always be someone new in the audience that has not.

-Phil

 

[Astrofreq]

Pearl Jam goes on tour with anywhere from 70-90 songs on the roster. Every night is completely different.

 

[Bravo Victor]

To get Frank Zappa's take on the issue google "200 Motels"