Helmuth Von Moltke
Ancient Mariner
I saw two shows in 2025, Birmingham (very hot!) and London Stadium. Loved them both and the crowd at West Ham genuinely made it feel like a homecoming. I really liked RFYL but I wasn't compelled to see more shows last year like earlier tours.Very interesting, thank you! And if now you were so kind sharing your thoughts and feelings what it all was/is that felt/feels very different about the current tour, if your time allows, that'd be just awesome! I kinda feel the same, it's just a bit difficult for me to get it down to the point or to put it words WHAT exactly feels different. But yes, it definitely does! Thank you!
What's different?
If you are a casual fan, or lapsed out of it, I can see why RFYL is perfect. But I've followed them avidly since the 90s, so I can't shake the memory that this tour does exactly what they said they wouldn't do in 1999 -- play the 80s songs only bar FOTD. Even Ed Hunter didn't do that.
As I wrote earlier, they have every right to do so since its 50 years and the reunion is 27 years old now, so they aren't bound by their past words.
But it's been personally hard to be really engaged by the setlist concept for that reason. Just my own feelings, not saying they speak to some greater truth. And I'm looking forward to seeing shows this year as well, so its all good if there's a new album in 2027/28 anyway!