Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits: Tracing the Evolution of Their Live Setlists

[nando_5994]

[Rolo]

Pity that he didn't wrote Corned Beef City at 1977

[Love Expresso]

Thrilling. It was sad to see Romeo overtake Sultans so close before the finish line.

LE

[quizzaciously]

Thrilling. It was sad to see Romeo overtake Sultans so close before the finish line.

LE

The Sultans should've been gone long before the finish line, you know how much I "love" this song

To me, it's the opposite—it shows in the end a simple strumming song won over a flashy guitar-playing staple full of chops. That's the way you do it!

[dmg]

Pity that he didn't wrote Corned Beef City at 1977

 

[dmg]

Thrilling. It was sad to see Romeo overtake Sultans so close before the finish line.

LE

I like both but I agree.  He really should've stopped playing Romeo earlier too; 2019 versions simply have zero energy.  I was watching Sonny Liston next to TOL and wondering if it was going to overtake but they both disappeared off the bottom for Paraguay. 

[ds1984]

Pity that he didn't wrote Corned Beef City at 1977

This is the song that caused my breakup with Mark.

Being a long time fan I did a long journey to witness the Privatering Tour as early as possible and I caught him in Turino, 5th or something show of the tour.

I was there on my seat and during that song I suddenly wondered why I was doing this and get him performing that kind of stuff?

Something had changed in me and it was a very bad feeling.

[Love Expresso]

Pity that he didn't wrote Corned Beef City at 1977

This is the song that caused my breakup you with Mark.

Being a long time fan I did a long journey to witness the Privatering Tour as early as possible and I caught him in Turino, 5th or something show of the tour.

I was there on my seat and during that song I suddenly wondered why I was doing this and get him performing that kind of stuff?

Something had changed in me and it was a very bad feeling.

There are much worse songs than CBC I would think. But I understand exactly what you mean. I had the same during Hamburg 2015. I sat there and had the feeling of literally wasting my time. Years later I bought a ticket for Hannover 2019 just out of reflex and pre-sale panic but couldn't be bothered to go. I just let it go, did not even try to sell it. That's when we "divorced". We got close again last year when the DS Live Box was released. 

LE

[rmarques821]

Pity that he didn't wrote Corned Beef City at 1977

This is the song that caused my breakup you with Mark.

Being a long time fan I did a long journey to witness the Privatering Tour as early as possible and I caught him in Turino, 5th or something show of the tour.

I was there on my seat and during that song I suddenly wondered why I was doing this and get him performing that kind of stuff?

Something had changed in me and it was a very bad feeling.

There are much worse songs than CBC I would think. But I understand exactly what you mean. I had the same during Hamburg 2015. I sat there and had the feeling of literally wasting my time. Years later I bought a ticket for Hannover 2019 just out of reflex and pre-sale panic but couldn't be bothered to go. I just let it go, did not even try to sell it. That's when we "divorced". We got close again last year when the DS Live Box was released. 

LE

The Privateering and Tracker tour were a major downgrade compared to the great Get Lucky tour. I didn't feel the energy I had felt in 2010, the setlist choices were very questionable and even the concert audios for download sound terrible. In fact, during the Tracker tour I felt like I was watching the same show of 2013 with the addition of Broken Bones (of all Tracker songs, bloody hell).
DTRW tour I thought it was okay considering it was his last and his health/playing issues. At least he changed the setlist around and I got to hear SIlvertown Blues live, which is something I never thought would happen.

[Love Expresso]

I often read at AMIT that the 2013 is judged pretty bad but I honestly think that it was the best of the last tours. Energy level was great, set list also (not aiming to discuss it again). Mark was in great form and looked great. The change to that within two years until 2015 was drastic. As much as I love Tracker, the tour I was not as pleased with as with all earlier ones. The setlist, to get back to topic, DID evolve from 2010 to 2013 with a lot of new songs and changes (within the MK universe, that is.).

LE

[dmg]

I often read at AMIT that the 2013 is judged pretty bad but I honestly think that it was the best of the last tours. Energy level was great, set list also (not aiming to discuss it again). Mark was in great form and looked great. The change to that within two years until 2015 was drastic. As much as I love Tracker, the tour I was not as pleased with as with all earlier ones. The setlist, to get back to topic, DID evolve from 2010 to 2013 with a lot of new songs and changes (within the MK universe, that is.).

LE

I've been thinking that of late too.  Retrospectively the Privateering tour is the best tour since the SL tour IMHO, in terms of how good shape he was in.

[superval99]

The Get Lucky tour was my absolute favourite. I attended four concerts and MK's playing was amazing, even though he was sitting down throughout.   

I really enjoyed the Privateering tour too.  There was a lot of energy and MK's playing was very good.

The Tracker tour was disappointing for me, especially as Tracker is amongst my favourite albums.  However, I felt that some of the songs didn't transfer live as well as they could have done. 

Regarding DTRW, I really enjoyed all three of the shows I attended, but it was very obvious that Mark's health was deteriorating.  Even so I felt that he had ended his touring on a high.

[Love Expresso]

Nice to see (both of you Val and dmg)  have a happy new year with much health and luck! Everybody else too, of course. Greetings! 

LE

[superval99]

Nice to see (both of you Val and dmg)  have a happy new year with much health and luck! Everybody else too, of course. Greetings! 

LE

Thank you LE for your good wishes.   I hope you also have a very happy and, especially, healthy New Year.   All the best to everyone on AMIT too! 

[dmg]

Nice to see (both of you Val and dmg)  have a happy new year with much health and luck! Everybody else too, of course. Greetings! 

LE

Thank you LE for your good wishes.   I hope you also have a very happy and, especially, healthy New Year.   All the best to everyone on AMIT too! 

All the very best to both of you and all the other AMITers I've had the pleasure of meeting over the years.