Is Green Day giving up on 21stCB?

[sportsfrk214]

I attended the Green Day concert at PNC Bank Arts Center on August 14. Today I was looking back over the setlist again, and something struck me that I hadn't noticed before. At the show, Green Day played a whopping 10 songs from American Idiot, and only 6 from 21st Century Breakdown, one of which was Song of the Century. This discrepancy seemed odd to me. So I looked back at the setlist from the Green Day show I attended last year at MSG, a show that was also apart of their current World Tour. At that show, Green Day played just 6 songs from American Idiot, and 9 from 21st Century Breakdown. Now I understand that they've been promoting this album for over a year, so there would be some drop-off, but why the drastic difference?

So I took the liberty of going back and looking at the setlists for the 12 shows Green Day has played so far on their current North American Leg, from 8/3 in Camden to last nights show. Here are the average number of songs Green Day has played from AI and 21stCB over those 12 shows.

American Idiot: 9.58

21st Century Breakdown: 6.08

So on average, Green Day is playing over 3 more songs from AI than 21stCB at each show. And it should also be noted that I counted Song of the Century as it's own song. If it had been grouped with 21st Century Breakdown, since they are essentially one song, then AI would have a 4 song advantage.

Another interesting point: Throughout these 12 shows, Green Day has played every one of American Idiot's 13 songs at least once. By contrast, only 9 of 21st Century Breakdown's 18 songs have been played.

So why all the love for American Idiot, and why all no-shows for 21st Century Breakdown? Like I said, they're in the later stages of their tour, so I'm guessing they feel they can cut down a little bit. But it's still called the 21st Century Breakdown World Tour, and they are visiting cities they didn't get to the first time around. Now don't get me wrong, 21st Century Breakdown is not my favorite album, and I'd willingly sacrifice hearing those songs for hearing older rarities. But I still find it odd. Songs that seem like they would sound good live, such as Horseshoes & Handgrenades, See the Light, and Viva la Gloria? (Little Girl) are essentially forgotten. And songs that were staples of their earlier shows, such as Before the Lobotomy, The Static Age, and American Eulogy, have already been demoted to rarity status. Even Last of the American Girls, a song that the band is currently promoting as their current single, is almost never played.

Does anyone have any theories? It seems to me Green Day just doesn't seem to like their most recent album very much. Billie said at the show I was at the other night that Green Day was having "the most fun we've ever had on tour." And one could see why - they're playing tons of rarely played songs. But apparently Green Day doesn't think playing rarely played 21stCB songs would be fun, because all the rarities played have been from old albums. It's almost as if Green Day is pushing 21stCB to the side. One other interesting note is that in the 12 shows I looked at, the majority of the songs played from 21stCB came at the beginning of the show. The first four songs were always Song of the Century, 21st Century Breakdown, Know Your Enemy, and East Jesus Nowhere. The only other staple was 21 Guns, played near the end of the main set. The other few random songs they played from the album were scattered between the beginning and end of the set. It almost seems as if Green Day is getting 21stCB out of the way so they can play other songs. At many of the 12 shows I looked at, they at one point played 6 AI songs in a row!

Sorry for the lengthy post, but I'd love some thoughts. As someone who wasn't 100% thrilled with 21st Century Breakdown, I'm hoping this all means that Green Day wasn't particularly thrilled with it either, because that would mean that they'll try to get away from that style on their next record. But then again, that might just be wishful thinking. Post away

[SixtiesJunkiie]

I've definately noticed that. I actually didn't mind their choice of setlists this tour b/c the only CD of theirs that I'm not crazy about is "21st Cent. Breakdown", so I've been happy to hear songs from all their albums make it in at some point. And I guess with just the huge, over-the-top success of "American Idiot", that played the biggest factor in why so many AI songs have been played this tour.

And yeah I agree, I'm not really feeling the 'excitement' for this CD from them, but I hope that means they go for a different type of sound. And also not another concept album (at least for a while.)

[DecanoLP]

Very good post. I noticed something similar in July when they decided to drop "The Static Age" from their setlist.

Well, unfortunately, I cannot give you an answer. Maybe they're a little bit disappointed that this record wasn't that succesfull as American Idiot. So they're trying to "forget" about it and wanna play their old stuff. But this is only a guess...

[RobyRoom]

This second leg of the tour sounds like a celebration of Green Day as a band more than anything. They did their best to promote the album on the first leg and now they're just having fun playing.

But at the same time It's weird cause some of the songs off 21st CB were doing great live, like Static Age. Idk.

[GreeN_DaY_4_EveR]

I think 21CB isn't so good album like American Idiot. Maybe they get that the people don't love so much this album and the decided to put some old stuff and remove some from 21CB (like Static Age you said and don't forget American Eulogy). My opinion is that they may play old stuff because they are preparing their new album and some sources says that it's gonna be a mix of their old stuff ! No matter with that, Green Day should play more songs for 21CB because it's their latest work and some songs are really good ! Also their latest single, LOTAG, never played live. I think they don't like so much their new album so their going back

[28smooth]

This is really interesting....

My guess would be that they enjoy playing their old stuff so much because they get a lot more response from the fans that way?...And its not that I don't like 21CB, but I definitely get more excited when they play their older stuff, be it the really really early songs or American Idiot....and I guess who doesn't?

[stuart telegraph]

After the W.D.C. show I thought the same thing. they played 9 songs from A.I. and only 4 from 21 C.B. (I don't count song of the century) Sure, it was awesome to hear letterbomb, but I would have gladly traded give me novacain for viva la Gloria. I'm miffed as to why they decided to stop playing before the labotomy and the static age, I think those are really kick ass song live, and Mike even once said that static age sounded like they we're firing on all cylinders, or something like that. Maybe they are feeling that the message in those songs isn't relevent or that they're to preachy, but then why not take out know your enemy. I have a feeling that the next album won't be so much about the problems and struggles of finding your way through this mess of a world, and perhaps will take off where see the light left off. Since it seems they enjoy playing their older songs so much more, maybe that suggests all the more that the next album will somehow sound and feel more like Dookie or Kerplunk, or dare I say 39/smooth.

[Daughter.of.Rage.and.Love]

I didn't notice that. Also, they've only added Letterbomb to their set very recently (only since the 2nd American leg of the tour started).

Also, 10 songs from American Idiot isn't usual. I don't know where you got your statistics, but if it's from setlist.fm, it's not very accurate since a lot of the times there are two setlists posted on there for the same show (so you get songs counted twice etc). In the basic setlist, there are only 9 songs from American Idiot (because the songs they only rarely play from AI are She's a Rebel, Extraordinary Girl, Homecoming and Whatsername. Leaves 9 songs from AI).

Why they do it, I suppose they have more fun playing AI and older stuff, or something. Or maybe the crowds react better to it. Because songs like, I'm just taking random examples here, Little Girl, or Restless Heart Syndrome or whatever, those, to me, seem like less big crowd live songs than Letterbomb.

I'm just making everything up as I type it here and I only skimmed through the OP and other posts, so forgive me if I'm echoing something or not making sense.

[IscoredWaddlesgoals]

It's a vicious circle really, 21CB isn't going to get any more successful if they don't play it, but then they don't seem to want to play it because it's not as well known. It's a weird situation considering how proud of 21CB and willing to move on from AI they were before it came out.

[sportsfrk214]

Also, 10 songs from American Idiot isn't usual. I don't know where you got your statistics, but if it's from setlist.fm, it's not very accurate since a lot of the times there are two setlists posted on there for the same show (so you get songs counted twice etc). In the basic setlist, there are only 9 songs from American Idiot (because the songs they only rarely play from AI are She's a Rebel, Extraordinary Girl, Homecoming and Whatsername. Leaves 9 songs from AI).

I'm just making everything up as I type it here and I only skimmed through the OP and other posts, so forgive me if I'm echoing something or not making sense.

It's no problem The average was around 9.5, I think I found that they played 9 at like 7 shows, and at like 5 shows they played 10 songs (that was when they threw in Extraordinary Girl or Whatsername).

[Daughter.of.Rage.and.Love]

It's no problem The average was around 9.5, I think I found that they played 9 at like 7 shows, and at like 5 shows they played 10 songs (that was when they threw in Extraordinary Girl or Whatsername).

Ahh Extraordinary Girl, I see. But that's not the entire song, that's just.... well idk how long, I think a verse and a chorus or something, that leads into 21 Guns.

But it doesn't really matter anyway since both 9 and 10 are more than the amount of 21stCB songs, haha.

[kristinsinferno]

dude, i've been thinking the exact same thing! i agree with the theory that they want to play the older songs, because i think they love the looks on everyone's faces when they go into a song that they haven't played in over a decade. i know i would!

also did you notice that during the Jiffy Lube Live show in Bristow, VA, (the show i went to) they didn't play anything that they hadn't already done in this tour? I was a bit disappointed, but not much, because "disappointing" is the LAST adjective i'd use to describe green day.

[sportsfrk214]

Ahh Extraordinary Girl, I see. But that's not the entire song, that's just.... well idk how long, I think a verse and a chorus or something, that leads into 21 Guns.

But it doesn't really matter anyway since both 9 and 10 are more than the amount of 21stCB songs, haha.

Exactly lol. 9 is a lot, I wonder if they even played 9 back when they were on their American Idiot Tour

[Ellenkc]

I think they're playing more to what the crowd wants rather than just promoting the album, to have a good show the audience needs to be into what they're playing as much as possible so it makes sense to play the more well known songs. Just like when they added Burnout to the regular setlist because the crowds in Europe were really liking it. American Idiot will most likely overshadow their more recent songs for a while, just like Dookie did. It's unavoidable

[DecanoLP]

I wonder if they even played 9 back when they were on their American Idiot Tour

They didn't... American Idiot, Jesus Of Suburbia, Holiday, Are We The Waiting, St. Jimmy, Wake Me Up When September Ends, Boulevard Of Broken Dreams (=7) were the regular ones. Sometimes they added Homecoming, so we have 8 songs.

[keefe]

I was thinking the exact same thing! I honestly don't mind cutting back some of the 21CB but having your new album play only 6 of the 35 songs per night? I understand Green Day has an extensive catalogue but shouldn't they be promoting that album more?

[CaesarSalad]

interesting i like how you went and did the math like that, because it really reveals some interesting trends. however, i don't really get the vibe that green day are "giving up" on 21st, as i've always been under the impression that they believe it to be the present summit of their work. i'm guessing that they just want this current leg to be different from the rest, as i bet they are getting tired of doing the same-old-same-old every other night.

did you happen to figure out what the ratio is between AI/21st and pre-AI material?

[mechanicalman]

Maybe people started booing when they played the crap stuff off of 21CB.

[RockSeason]

dude, i've been thinking the exact same thing! i agree with the theory that they want to play the older songs, because i think they love the looks on everyone's faces when they go into a song that they haven't played in over a decade. i know i would!

also did you notice that during the Jiffy Lube Live show in Bristow, VA, (the show i went to) they didn't play anything that they hadn't already done in this tour? I was a bit disappointed, but not much, because "disappointing" is the LAST adjective i'd use to describe green day.

totally agreed.

[gdpony]

I dont think they're giving up on 21cb, but they've been on tour for a long time, and the first leg was to promote the album, now that it's almost over, and they wont be touring in a long time, I think they're trying to please the fans and play classics and song they haven't and wont play live in a long time!

[Punk Rock Love]

As someone who wasn't 100% thrilled with 21st Century Breakdown, I'm hoping this all means that Green Day wasn't particularly thrilled with it either, because that would mean that they'll try to get away from that style on their next record. But then again, that might just be wishful thinking.

This.

I wasn't too thrilled with 21CB either. I like maybe, 4 songs? Here's to hoping their next album is nothing like it.

[Wretched & Divine]

I don't really have much to add or contribute, though it's interesting to think about. Personally I feel that AI is the stronger album of the two, but that's just my own opinion.

I have no idea what the guys are thinking themselves. Maybe the AI songs are more fun for them to play? They've also been playing a lot of really old songs, so I don't know

And you said each track off AI has been played at least once? Which city/cities did they play Homecoming?

[fadi_7]

i did noticed that but didn't really care about it cause what they play is the best and that's what they like and they can't sing all 21CB and then American idiot and others that will take so so so so much more time than a normal concert

[carasway]

I dont care why... I'm just loving it!

My two cents worth - When they first started promoting 21cb they hadnt had a new album or been on the road for ages - they had to do the scripted tour job... but now.... that they are totally cruising with it, and know they have three decades of fans willing to come and share the love three times a week, a different city each night... well hey, wouldnt you cater to the smiling, screaming faces in front of you, and have a little bit of fun with it too?? I have been to quite a few gigs this tour (both early shows and the current ones) and the boys really seem to be enjoying themselves more now - just doing what they love!

So no,i dont think they have 'given up' on 21cb - i think they have just moved on already... they said themselves, they are already recording new stuff. Here's hoping it's fast on the footsteps of the live tour album.

[Ally]

I guess they are dropping them cos AI get so much more of a reaction than 21stCB did, in my opinion they are only playing what the fans want and like.

AI was promoted for more that 21stCB and go many more new fans than 21stCB to. I am guessing AI is the people choice and this is why they are dropping most of 21stCB and sticking with AI.

Or you could look at it the other way, they are playing a vast amount of old stuff as well as the new stuff. Maybe they are trying to vary there setlists but putting more older stuff in. As Billie once said, he has so much material he doesnt get to play all of it all the time. Maybe he just doesnt want the crowd to get bored so changes the songs round. He must know that most people are attending more than 1 of there shows. I know a lot who did all the UK shows so i guess there will be people who do the same in America. If he knows this (or suspects at least) then maybe he's trying not to cause boredom.

Idk, and tbh i don't really, care they could play the exact same setlist every night and i would love it. The fans are loving it, the band is loving it. Everyone (or the moral majority) is loving it, whatever the setlist, new or old, guaranteed to never fail.