Unsolicited Advice: Let bands play what works for them
When it comes down to it, complaining about album-specific tours is just arguing about sequencing.
The infamous meme "Shh: let people enjoy things" sprung to mind when reading a headline in the New York Times "No More Nostalgia Concerts, Please," a semi-passionate* screed against the touring decision to play an entire album front to back.
As someone fresh off the heels of the majestic show from Air where they played Moon Safari in this very fashion, I was inclined to disagree with prejudice.
I disagree with the premise in general in that the bands touring now that are old enough to book an album show grew up at the height of the power of the album - it's a worthwhile endeavor for fans to hear something so pivotal to their lives Live.
But the article itself has some fatal flaws. For one, leading with and hanging the premise on Weezer, a band that is seemingly engineered to annoy all but its most rabid fanbases with novelty and cheese and stunts. They
Secondly, as the author points out, these are money-making vehicles. Sure, hate on U2 playing any sort of themed concert, but this publication wholly supports bands getting theirs as long as it's not at the expense of the customer. For the middle majority of bands that made it big but not in a truly financially rewarding way - as Spotify pays pittance for the nostalgia streams - why not cater to that nostalgia at a greater take home? There's no surprises here - you get the full album plus a bonus of 2-6 "best of" encore songs.
The article uses a Bowling for Soup monologue about how the digitalization of music (and the 30-second preview of the first songs in the album) altered how they made and recorded music. In effect, you'll love the first three songs and then you'll get bored.
A rough scene to have to admit, but if you cannot stand behind a full body of work, then, yes, you should avoid the album show. But those bands that have the juice - Air certainly does - the article doesn't really have any argument worthy of consideration.
It's not like Air will never do a standard-issue tour. They saw the anniversary, took the opportunity, and booked the show. And we got seven encore songs. Looking at the setlist for the last show they played before this nostalgia trip, more than half the songs they played were also on offer at the Moon Safari.
So now, we're really just complaining about sequencing. And, come on with that.