[Magic Wheel Memory]

There seems to be much debate as to what fans expect from a Sonic Youth setlist. My hope is that the band always plays whatever they want to play, but I'm still curious as to what the fans think.

The question is this: When Sonic Youth tours after releasing a new record, what is your preferred mix of new material vs. old? This does not count shows or tours during "off years," when they haven't released a new record.

[jerf]

ive always wanted to catch a tour on "off years" when a band isnt promoting an album. always curious to see what they would choose to play if they werent obligated (so to speak) with a new album.

[Newfoundland]

I want them to play what they want, but less "hits".

[Peterpuff]

Man, tough poll for me. Like most have said, it's great to see a band out enjoying themselves with the new material they have. But I did catch one show of theirs during kind of an "off years" tour, and it still has been one of the best SY shows of my life (around the equipment theft).

http://www.sonicyouth.com/mustang/cc/070899.html

The setlist was right up my alley. And as much as I hated their misfortune, as a fan, it was a total blast seeing a band forced to familiarize themselves with new equipment. Just something new and unique...

As far as setlists goes, I just remember constantly saying "Oh wow, they are playing THIS?!?!?" time after time during that show. Constantly overjoyed and blown away. More-so than I have during any album tour.

[Magic Wheel Memory]

One thing to keep in mind about this poll: The respondents are all members of this board who, on average, are the more devoted of SY's fans. There are probably not as many "casual" fans reading this.

[notyourfiend]

I really respect SY for playing so much new material. It shows that they are not afraid to move forward as a band. That being said, it's nice to hear some of their older stuff. Especially the tunes that I would have never expected to hear them play.

[automatic bzooty]

i like how they're doin' it nowadays. most of the new record, a couple "hits," and a few other miscellaneous, great songs. yeah.

[SuperCreep]

I would like it more if they did their sets more like the one they did last night in NY. I love that they're playing nearly all or all of The Eternal, but I don't like hearing too many songs from the same album in a row, unless of course it's one of those shows where they announce they're playing the entire thing front-to-back. I mean, when I saw Radiohead, they played 9/10 of In Rainbows, which was great, but they also threw a lot of older stuff in between. I like that kind of old/new diversity in setlists.

[jnic]

I thought last night's show here in nyc was one of the best in years. The Eternal sounds GREAT live, some nice jamming, Poison Arrow was sick, and I loved hear Catholic Block and PCH.

Hopefully someone will post a recording of the show......Thx SY!

[golden child]

I would die if they played catholic block, going to the Portland show tomorrow cause I got connects and I haven't heard The Eternal yet, actually didn't even know they had a knew record till a little while ago, hoping it wont disappoint

[Leetdude]

I voted 50/50, but I'm incredibly glad they played just about the entirety of The Eternal when I saw them. But then, The Eternal is also one of my favorite SY records already. So, when they have a great album, play the whole thing; when they have an "eh" album, play more classics.

[matt reeder]

Originally Posted by golden child

I would die if they played catholic block, going to the Portland show tomorrow cause I got connects and I haven't heard The Eternal yet, actually didn't even know they had a knew record till a little while ago, hoping it wont disappoint

They've played "Catholic Block" all three times I've seen them stretching back to 2003. Something tells me we're going to hear it tomorrow night too.

I'd prefer 50/50 new stuff and old stuff. There's such a thing as overdoing a new album and I think sometimes SY does that, no matter how great it is to hear the new stuff and see them enjoying themselves. It was perfect back during the Murray Street days since the new album only had 7 songs-ie, tons of room for old stuff.

This was my favorite of my shows and I think it's pretty much perfect: http://www.sonicyouth.com/mustang/cc/081503.html

[satirejohn]

The most important thing is just that they keep a good rotation going. I would hate seeing "brand new album plus Kool Thing, 100%, Teenage Riot and Bull in the Heather" everytime... As long as they keep taking up surprising older songs, I don't mind that they only play about 5 of them for every gig...

[Leetdude]

I agree with satire as well. Seeing Stereo Sanctity, Hey Joni and DV69 live was just great this tour, and I'd love to see more varied tracks like that in the future, especially if they pull them from all their records.

[satirejohn]

I guess another solution could be to just play longer shows... If they played around 2,5 hours they could easily play the entirety of whatever was new at the time, and around 10-12 older songs. That would make it possible to play more stuff from a wider spectrum of their career. As it is now they're basically only playing new and really old stuff (which is alright by me, in a way, since my favourite period is CIS->DDN - but I'd love to hear, say, The Ineffable Me and Radical Adults as well!) plus hits. It would mean that they'd have to rehearse alot more songs though, especially if they'd want to keep the setlists changing (which they should).
Some bands do it though. On the last REM tour they must have played over a hundred different songs...

That said, I'm totally satisfied with how the sets are looking for this tour. The thought of seeing The Eternal plus gems like Stereo Sanctity, Death Valley 69 and Shadow of a Doubt is really exciting! Hope that's what we'll get at ATP!