Mike and Bruce Tour 2014

[Mayoman]

There was a thread like this for last year's "Beach Boys" tour, so I thought we could probably have another one for news on this year's tour. 

Setlists from the recent tour of Japan show a few developments. "Shut Down" has been dropped from the car medley for quite a few shows, "Be True To Your School" wasn't played at all according to setlists I've seen, and "Pisces Brother" is now usually in the setlist where "Cool Head, Warm Heart" used to be.

[Nicko1234]

I think the absence of Shut Down may just have been due to the fact that they were playing such short shows. 2 shows a night so only 27 songs at some gigs. Which when you consider they were charging the equivalent of $140 to attend is pushing it.

[donald]

I think the absence of Shut Down may just have been due to the fact that they were playing such short shows. 2 shows a night so only 27 songs at some gigs. Which when you consider they were charging the equivalent of $140 to attend is pushing it.

That's 5 bucks a song!

[SMiLE Brian]

Not a good deal for those fans.

[beatle608]

I saw them a couple nights ago and I though the setlist was decent, but it was (as expected) incredibly heaving on car/surf songs. I had never seen the Mike and Bruce version of the group before, so it was an interesting experience. They both signed my albums at the end of the show and I got Mike's setlist, so I definitely can't complain!

[Lowbacca]

I saw them a couple nights ago and I though the setlist was decent, but it was (as expected) incredibly heaving on car/surf songs. I had never seen the Mike and Bruce version of the group before, so it was an interesting experience. They both signed my albums at the end of the show and I got Mike's setlist, so I definitely can't complain!

Neat!


Oh, and welcome to the mental madness that is SmileySmileBoard.

[beatle608]

Neat!


Oh, and welcome to the mental madness that is SmileySmileBoard.

Thank you, let the fun begin 

[baseball95]

I saw them a couple nights ago and I though the setlist was decent, but it was (as expected) incredibly heaving on car/surf songs. I had never seen the Mike and Bruce version of the group before, so it was an interesting experience. They both signed my albums at the end of the show and I got Mike's setlist, so I definitely can't complain!

Can you post the set by any chance?

[beatle608]

4/4/14 - Mystic Lake Casino - Prior Lake, MN

1. Do It Again
2. Honda
3. Goin To The Beach
4. Catch
5. Hawaii
6. Surf City
7. Safari

8. Surfer Girl
9. Wendy
10. Getcha Back
11. Fools
12. Grow Up
13. Darlin

14. Don't Worry Baby
15. Deuce Coupe
16. 409
17. Shut Down
18. I Get Around
19. Betsy

20. Pisces
21. God - Carl

22. Sloop
23. Nice
24. Kissed Her
25. Cal Girls

26. Vibes
27. Rhonda
28. Rock Roll
29. Wanna Dance
30. Barbara Ann
31. Surfin USA

32. Kokomo
33. Fun Fun Fun

[baseball95]

4/4/14 - Mystic Lake Casino - Prior Lake, MN

1. Do It Again
2. Honda
3. Goin To The Beach
4. Catch
5. Hawaii
6. Surf City
7. Safari

8. Surfer Girl
9. Wendy
10. Getcha Back
11. Fools
12. Grow Up
13. Darlin

14. Don't Worry Baby
15. Deuce Coupe
16. 409
17. Shut Down
18. I Get Around
19. Betsy

20. Pisces
21. God - Carl

22. Sloop
23. Nice
24. Kissed Her
25. Cal Girls

26. Vibes
27. Rhonda
28. Rock Roll
29. Wanna Dance
30. Barbara Ann
31. Surfin USA

32. Kokomo
33. Fun Fun Fun

Fantastic! thanks!

[Niko]

Pisces Brother live 

[RubberSoul13]

Pretty normal set these days....but not bad at all for a casino run! I think it's quite interesting that Pisces Brothers is being played live. However, I really have no desire to hear it. 

[Niko]

^ Yeah, totally agree. I wish they'd add some more deep cuts. They have the ability to pull off songs that have never been played live before, so why not try?

Something concert performers rarely seem to do is adding some sort of theme to what songs are being played, like doing an entire album, start to finish. After seeing one M&B show, the idea of seeing another doesn't really excite me, but if they were to start playing all of 'Summer Days' in the middle of the show, I'd go out of my way to catch a M&B show! Imagine they performed every 'good' song that Mike sang lead on from 1963-1966 for their setlist? It would be something to talk about, that Mike is doing something new and interesting that has never really been done before. Their setlist has gone relatively unchanged for the last 30 years, it just seems like it would be a great way to make their shows noteworthy.

Also, a strange part of me does want to hear Goin' To The Beach live...is that normal?

[beatle608]

I tried uploading a picture of the actual setlist I got, but I'm new to this and I couldn't get it to work. Pisces Brothers was interesting to hear live, and Going To The Beach was... well nothing out of the ordinary. Some mid to late 60s material would be cooler to hear from those guys, or even a Bruce song off of Sunflower.

[Niko]

Tears has only ever been played 10 times between 1970-1971, and Deirdre has never been played I believe...sure would be neat if they decided to one of them to the set.

[Nicko1234]

^ Yeah, totally agree. I wish they'd add some more deep cuts. They have the ability to pull off songs that have never been played live before, so why not try?

Something concert performers rarely seem to do is adding some sort of theme to what songs are being played, like doing an entire album, start to finish. After seeing one M&B show, the idea of seeing another doesn't really excite me, but if they were to start playing all of 'Summer Days' in the middle of the show, I'd go out of my way to catch a M&B show! Imagine they performed every 'good' song that Mike sang lead on from 1963-1966 for their setlist? It would be something to talk about, that Mike is doing something new and interesting that has never really been done before. Their setlist has gone relatively unchanged for the last 30 years, it just seems like it would be a great way to make their shows noteworthy.

Also, a strange part of me does want to hear Goin' To The Beach live...is that normal?

Goin to the Beach is catchy so that is fair enough...

Obviously for us hardcore fans it would be great to hear more rarities. But I think Mike and Bruce know that most of their audience just want the hits. Ages ago I remember reading some reviews of old M&B concerts and there were a surprising number of comments like, `Sherry was the best received song`, `without the car medley the show didn`t really work`, `the crowd loved Duke of Earl` etc. I really don`t think the audience would want to hear `I`m Bugged at My Old Man` or `Summer Means New Love` for example.

The one good thing about this setlist is that they are playing comparitively few covers. Obviously the non-BB songs like Sherry, Duke of Earl and I Saw Her Standing There were dropped ages ago but now former regulars like Summertime Blues, California Dreaming, Little Old Lady and Back in the USSR are also missing. It is slightly better for the hardcore fans.

[RangeRoverA1]

Goin to the Beach is catchy

Each to their own, I for one find it extremely boring, to say the least. Never shall understand what bit of it made people think it's good/catchy/better than other fun-in-the-sun number, going by reading other posts in other threads.

[Nicko1234]

Tears has only ever been played 10 times between 1970-1971, and Deirdre has never been played I believe...sure would be neat if they decided to one of them to the set.

It`s probably unlikely. Bruce has said in the past that he regretted giving either of these songs to the group and Disney Girls is the only song of his that he recorded for the group that he has really spoken about with pride in the interviews that I`ve read.

[bluesno1fann]

Goin to the Beach is catchy

Each to their own, I for one find it extremely boring, to say the least. Never shall understand what bit of it made people think it's good/catchy/better than other fun-in-the-sun number, going by reading other posts in other threads.

Me? I find it both Catchy AND Boring!

At the end, it's just another fun-in-the-sun song that wouldn't do any good for their image. That being said, it is better than at least half of the songs off KTSA.

[Nicko1234]

Me? I find it both Catchy AND Boring!

At the end, it's just another fun-in-the-sun song that wouldn't do any good for their image. That being said, it is better than at least half of the songs off KTSA.

 

There`s some truth to that. It is too repetitive but it is catchy enough to be a decent choice of song to be performed live.

[Andrew G. Doe]

^ Yeah, totally agree. I wish they'd add some more deep cuts. They have the ability to pull off songs that have never been played live before, so why not try?

Something concert performers rarely seem to do is adding some sort of theme to what songs are being played, like doing an entire album, start to finish. After seeing one M&B show, the idea of seeing another doesn't really excite me, but if they were to start playing all of 'Summer Days' in the middle of the show, I'd go out of my way to catch a M&B show! Imagine they performed every 'good' song that Mike sang lead on from 1963-1966 for their setlist? It would be something to talk about, that Mike is doing something new and interesting that has never really been done before. Their setlist has gone relatively unchanged for the last 30 years, it just seems like it would be a great way to make their shows noteworthy.

Also, a strange part of me does want to hear Goin' To The Beach live...is that normal?

Goin to the Beach is catchy so that is fair enough...

Obviously for us hardcore fans it would be great to hear more rarities. But I think Mike and Bruce know that most of their audience just want the hits. Ages ago I remember reading some reviews of old M&B concerts and there were a surprising number of comments like, `Sherry was the best received song`, `without the car medley the show didn`t really work`, `the crowd loved Duke of Earl` etc. I really don`t think the audience would want to hear `I`m Bugged at My Old Man` or `Summer Means New Love` for example.

The one good thing about this setlist is that they are playing comparitively few covers. Obviously the non-BB songs like Sherry, Duke of Earl and I Saw Her Standing There were dropped ages ago but now former regulars like Summertime Blues, California Dreaming, Little Old Lady and Back in the USSR are also missing. It is slightly better for the hardcore fans.

Mike & Bruce have at least three different setlists tailored to the needs of the occasion:

1 - outdoor fairs/racetrack/festival: meat & potatoes hits for Joe Q. Public. 90 minutes of good-times.

2 - indoor venues: somewhat longer, a few deep cuts.

3 - UK/Europe indoor venues: 50+ songs in over two hours, hits, classics, deep cuts.

[Micha]

Goin to the Beach is catchy

Each to their own, I for one find it extremely boring, to say the least. Never shall understand what bit of it made people think it's good/catchy/better than other fun-in-the-sun number, going by reading other posts in other threads.

Better? No. Good? No. Catchy? Certainly! I wouldn't have minded had it been on KTSA.

[Niko]

Obviously for us hardcore fans it would be great to hear more rarities. But I think Mike and Bruce know that most of their audience just want the hits. Ages ago I remember reading some reviews of old M&B concerts and there were a surprising number of comments like, `Sherry was the best received song`, `without the car medley the show didn`t really work`, `the crowd loved Duke of Earl` etc. I really don`t think the audience would want to hear `I`m Bugged at My Old Man` or `Summer Means New Love` for example.

The one good thing about this setlist is that they are playing comparitively few covers. Obviously the non-BB songs like Sherry, Duke of Earl and I Saw Her Standing There were dropped ages ago but now former regulars like Summertime Blues, California Dreaming, Little Old Lady and Back in the USSR are also missing. It is slightly better for the hardcore fans.

This is true. But a casual fan would feel excited at the prospect of hearing an old, 'vintage' album played through in its entirety. Wouldn't hearing a Beach Boys record from 1965 be just as nostalgic and magical, if not moreso, than their current run through of the hits? Part of the appeal of their show is the nostalgia and timelessness of the music; playing an entire album like it's being spun on a turntable (start to finish) would only enhance that. As far as I know this has not been explored much with 60's bands touring these days, and really anything pre-Pet Sounds would be interesting and more than manageable - that little band can handle just about anything.

All I'm really trying to say is that the introduction of some thematic unity within their current setlists would make things much more interesting, for both the hardcore and  casual fan. It's not like the deeper cuts in The Beach Boys catalog is unaccessible, or that when you go to a concert you need to know every song.

I saw Peter Hook, the bassist for Joy Division, and this was the structure of his show:
-Opening of a few hits/songs he wanted to play
-The 'Closer' album in its entirety
-A few more misc songs
-The 'Unknown Pleasures' album in its entirety
-The rest of the essentials (Love Will Tear Us Apart, Ceremony, etc)

It was a hard hitting format, one of the most memorable shows I've ever seen...and their band had one less member than the current M&B band. It is definitely a personal preference, but seeing a whole album played just makes a show special in a way that playing through the hits in random(ish) order does not. Of course that worked amazing well with C50, cuz they played EVERYTHING, but if I could make one change to the M&B band, I'd change their setlists.

[Nicko1234]

This is true. But a casual fan would feel excited at the prospect of hearing an old, 'vintage' album played through in its entirety. Wouldn't hearing a Beach Boys record from 1965 be just as nostalgic and magical, if not moreso, than their current run through of the hits? Part of the appeal of their show is the nostalgia and timelessness of the music; playing an entire album like it's being spun on a turntable (start to finish) would only enhance that. As far as I know this has not been explored much with 60's bands touring these days, and really anything pre-Pet Sounds would be interesting and more than manageable - that little band can handle just about anything.

All I'm really trying to say is that the introduction of some thematic unity within their current setlists would make things much more interesting, for both the hardcore and  casual fan. It's not like the deeper cuts in The Beach Boys catalog is unaccessible, or that when you go to a concert you need to know every song.

I saw Peter Hook, the bassist for Joy Division, and this was the structure of his show:
-Opening of a few hits/songs he wanted to play
-The 'Closer' album in its entirety
-A few more misc songs
-The 'Unknown Pleasures' album in its entirety
-The rest of the essentials (Love Will Tear Us Apart, Ceremony, etc)

It was a hard hitting format, one of the most memorable shows I've ever seen...and their band had one less member than the current M&B band. It is definitely a personal preference, but seeing a whole album played just makes a show special in a way that playing through the hits in random(ish) order does not. Of course that worked amazing well with C50, cuz they played EVERYTHING, but if I could make one change to the M&B band, I'd change their setlists.

The problem is though that Pet Sounds and Smile are the only Beach Boys albums that are popular enough for that to appeal to any casual audience. And Brian was obviously the right person to play those.

As AGD says, in the U.K. they have played 54 song shows in the past and in the theatre shows do mix the hits with the rare quite well. There are probably close to 100 different songs that they have played since 1998 but I can`t see them coming up with too many new selections in the future...

I think Bruce did say a while ago that he would love to play a show just for the fans where they only play rarities... Could be a long time waiting for that one.

[RubberSoul13]

^ Yeah, totally agree. I wish they'd add some more deep cuts. They have the ability to pull off songs that have never been played live before, so why not try?

Something concert performers rarely seem to do is adding some sort of theme to what songs are being played, like doing an entire album, start to finish. After seeing one M&B show, the idea of seeing another doesn't really excite me, but if they were to start playing all of 'Summer Days' in the middle of the show, I'd go out of my way to catch a M&B show! Imagine they performed every 'good' song that Mike sang lead on from 1963-1966 for their setlist? It would be something to talk about, that Mike is doing something new and interesting that has never really been done before. Their setlist has gone relatively unchanged for the last 30 years, it just seems like it would be a great way to make their shows noteworthy.

Also, a strange part of me does want to hear Goin' To The Beach live...is that normal?

I want to hear it within the opening surf medley....I heard it three times as an encore song last year. Well, let me specify: I heard it once as an encore song and twice walking to my car because I just wanted to hear Wild Honey.