New for 2022

[quizzaciously]

I think the point is the 96's et al really enjoy Mark's music, otherwise they wouldn't keep playing with him both live and in the studio, there is plenty of work for them elsewhere. Mark can choose almost any musician he wants to but he choose them, and they have had nothing but praise to say about Mark. It will be interesting though, if he chooses to stop touring does that mean the length between albums will be shorter? maybe more film score work? This is him moving into a new phase of his career.

Something is telling me he's gonna try touring again. Health problems and the absence of voice or deteriorating voice never stopped some musicians from touring. Brian Wilson is still touring barely able to play and sing something. The general audience would not care, as long as the man is on the stage doing stuff.

I think we'll see where it's going with the new album, which takes a lot of time to make it seems. But with Mark, you quickly learn to wait a lot.

[Robson]

I think the point is the 96's et al really enjoy Mark's music, otherwise they wouldn't keep playing with him both live and in the studio, there is plenty of work for them elsewhere. Mark can choose almost any musician he wants to but he choose them, and they have had nothing but praise to say about Mark. It will be interesting though, if he chooses to stop touring does that mean the length between albums will be shorter? maybe more film score work? This is him moving into a new phase of his career.

I like this idea very much:)

[dmg]

I completely understand the people who want him to do more concerts, but do you really want to see Mark struggle to play almost every song? In 2019 he stopped playing the solo in the outro of Sailing to Philadelphia and decided to add the sax at the end to disguise it; he struggled to play the outro solo to R&J, and so after a few concerts he cut it down and ended it without playing the trademark last lick in the solo; My Bacon Roll got disguised with the other instruments, Bonaparte slowed down; forgot the lyrics to HFOH quite a few times; some versions of Speedway at Nazareth were not good and he butchered the intro to MFN at least twice, that I remember. Brothers in Arms solo simplified... The tour also had its good moments, of course, but the clues that he can't play live anymore are endless. And that's fine, he's almost 73. I'm just not sure we, as a community of fans, want to see more of this. I would rather that he would concentrate on doing what he still does better than anyone, which is to write songs and make records.
[/quote]

 

OES didn't sound so good either and Once Upon a Time was a wasted opportunity with exchanges lasting about 5 seconds each.

[dustyvalentino]

Without speculating on his diminishing physical abilities, its sad realising that he has aged, but this is reality. There has to come a point whereby you just not putting out what you feel you want to or should be, perhaps he realises this. I know a lot of others carry on into their late 70s and even 80s but its not a benchmark for the industry, its a personal thing and everyone ages differently. You also have to realise MK has extremely high standards and always had exemplary guitar and musical skills, he is also the main focus of the show so this is much harder to maintain or mask over any cracks in your playing than if you in the Rolling Stones for example, they older but as each does only one specific instrument so its spread out, probably also less technically/physically difficult and therefore easier I would imagine to carry any weaknesses appearing.

I would be happy if he doesn't feel capable anymore and just puts out a few more albums. I am hopeful however there will be some live promo. work for the new album which is not to demanding like appearing on talk/tv shows, radio work etc. where he can perhaps do a few songs live.

Apparently the Stones also use backing tracks to beef up the sound…

[cannibals]

We expect to much perhaps? What if he will just do some interviews with the new album and then stay off radar untill the next one is finished. 

[quizzaciously]

We expect to much perhaps? What if he will just do some interviews with the new album and then stay off radar untill the next one is finished. 

I think we ALWAYS expect too much from Mark Yes, I hope for more non-tour activities from MK, that can include a plethora of things. He can earn money not only by going on tour again. Putting more effort into albums, for instance.

To be honest, I'm not a big fan of shows anyway, I'm happy with the 3 MK shows I attended. I think, honestly, Mark toured too much in his life, maybe he just loves to be away from his family and write alone, who knows.

I never understood that pull towards giant tours, especially when it's so inconsistent with 10 shows in one country and 1 in other. Man, at least cover more of the world in your world tour since it's so big anyway.

[Robson]

Mark repeatedly said in various interviews that he loves concerts.

[ds1984]

Mark repeatedly said in various interviews that he loves concerts.

Without doubt.

The emotion on Mark's face in Barcelona said it all.

[Robson]

I think in every city, but I have to search for Barcelona.

[quizzaciously]

Mark repeatedly said in various interviews that he loves concerts.

Without doubt.

The emotion on Mark's face in Barcelona said it all.

I think there are a few people on Earth who would not get emotional when so many people in so many places cheer for you and pay 100-500 dollars to see you.

I meant that he spent so much time touring, that he doesn't need to prove anything at this point. What would drastically change if the Wherever tour was 25 shows instead of 80? Mark would have more time, he would be more fresh and healthy. Tickets might be more expensive, but I think if any decent ticket starts at $100, any increase in price would be negligible.

I'll never ever understand this long tour thing. Especially from a man who said that "DS was too big" and always brags about many shows in his tours and how "young musicians today would never tour with 80 shows". Yeah, right, but everybody pays to play, Mark included!

[skydiver]

I think what makes/made him play more than just 25 shows besides enjoying playing live is that he knows deep within himself how much it means for so many to experience him live. He touches people with his music and this is even more intense when seeing him perfom live.
Thank God he did it so many times for so many years in so many places for so many people.
I've seen people weeping with joy at almost every show I went.

[Vesper]

I think what makes/made him play more than just 25 shows besides enjoying playing live is that he knows deep within himself how much it means for so many to experience him live. He touches people with his music and this is even more intense when seeing him perfom live.
Thank God he did it so many times for so many years in so many places for so many people.
I've seen people weeping with joy at almost every show I went.

Now this is a great post!
Totally agree with you

[rmarques821]

Mark repeatedly said in various interviews that he loves concerts.

Without doubt.

The emotion on Mark's face in Barcelona said it all.

I think there are a few people on Earth who would not get emotional when so many people in so many places cheer for you and pay 100-500 dollars to see you.

I meant that he spent so much time touring, that he doesn't need to prove anything at this point. What would drastically change if the Wherever tour was 25 shows instead of 80? Mark would have more time, he would be more fresh and healthy. Tickets might be more expensive, but I think if any decent ticket starts at $100, any increase in price would be negligible.

I'll never ever understand this long tour thing. Especially from a man who said that "DS was too big" and always brags about many shows in his tours and how "young musicians today would never tour with 80 shows". Yeah, right, but everybody pays to play, Mark included!

It's very easy to understand: because musicians love playing live, and it's a way to get a lot of income. That's why almost every big band/artist does it.
If I were a professional musician at my peak I would do 1-year long tours, no problem.

[Robson]

I think what makes/made him play more than just 25 shows besides enjoying playing live is that he knows deep within himself how much it means for so many to experience him live. He touches people with his music and this is even more intense when seeing him perfom live.
Thank God he did it so many times for so many years in so many places for so many people.
I've seen people weeping with joy at almost every show I went.

Now this is a great post!
Totally agree with you

Beautiful words.
Exactly. Me too

[superval99]

I think what makes/made him play more than just 25 shows besides enjoying playing live is that he knows deep within himself how much it means for so many to experience him live. He touches people with his music and this is even more intense when seeing him perfom live.
Thank God he did it so many times for so many years in so many places for so many people.
I've seen people weeping with joy at almost every show I went.

Now this is a great post!
Totally agree with you

Beautiful words.
Exactly. Me too

I agree!