Now that Mostly Autumn are shortly going to be heading back on the road, it’s time to post a few thoughts on what I’d like to see in the setlist.
I definitely applaud the band for playing a set with a high proportion of new material on the last tour. I also liked the way they rotated some of the older numbers rather than playing a near-identical set each night, something I’ve long advocated. Keeping the former Breathing Space song “Questioning Eyes” was a good move too.
I do, however. believe the running order could do with a rethink. I know from reading other’s reviews that I’m not the only one who thinks there’s not nearly enough of Livvy in the first half of the set. Look at the track listing of “Live 2009″ disk 1; Heather sings the first four songs. Also the balance between old and new didn’t quite seem right; the first set predominately oldies and GWDH disk 2 songs, the second set containing most of retail edition of the new album.
And I strongly the set ought to open with Livvy singing lead. While I’m defintely in the camp that considers “Go Well Diamond Heart” to be a strong album, the one thing it does lack is a belting hard rocker sung by Livvy. If reverting to “Fading Colours” as the opener seems too much of a backward step, what about “For All We Shared?”. It works well as an album opener, and they’re already using the beginning section as the intro tape. It’s not as dramatic a song as “Fading Colours”, but I remember when the band used to open with “The Last Climb”.
On the other hand, Bryan did say on stage at York that they planned to be writing new material in the lakes in January – perhaps they’ll surprise us all with something brand new?
As for other numbers, “Violet Skies” really ought to be in the setlist (I’m told it has been played live, but not at any gigs I’ve attended) and I’d love to hear “High” off the second disk. Wonder if “67-79″ would work live? I love the interplay between the guitar and flute on that. And while I know the band are most unlikely to play it, I’d still love to hear the title track of “Glass Shadows” played live. And finally, given that the majority of musicians who played on Liam Davidson’s excellent solo album are members the band, what about a song from that album? Of those songs, “Heading Home” gets my vote.
well said tim
i didnt see mostly autumn on their last tour due to my finances, but well done to everybody that spent a lot of money travelling the country in support of m.a.
i fully agree with tim about questioning eyes, it must be in the set, for me it is already a mostly autum classic, although not strictly a mostly song. i also agree that livvy should take the lions share of lead vocals. i wouldnt put any of liams songs in the set, good as they are, come to that i wouldnt put any of bryans either. there is far too mant brilliant mostly autum songs for the set to include fringe material with the exception of the afformentioned q.a.
but it would be nice to see a bryan josh / liam davison gig.
Presumably you mean Josh and Co songs when you talk about Bryan’s songs there, Whitty
Agreed, “Slow Down” was a good choice for last years spring tour, but should have been dropped once they started playing GWDH live. The new songs make it sound like the Glass Shadows outtake it began life as.