I don't think everyone would be happy. I'm sure the majority of us on here would love to see a concert of his where he does lots of the "non hits". But I think a lot of people who buy tickets would be pretty disappointed if he didn't play Pink Houses, Jack & Diane, Small Town, etc. With the number of classic hits he's got, there's probably about 10 songs he has to put in each time, because that's what the audience wants. And so many are likely first time ticket buyers for his shows so they'd want to hear the classics.

I do like that he usually includes one or two slightly more obscure songs from his past catalogue in each new tour. But I would love to see a concert where he played some of his other great songs. What he's doing sure works though. I've brought a few friends to his shows over the last few years who were all casual fans and they've all been blown away.

I wonder if it was a curfew issue? I heard that Springsteen and McCartney had the plug pulled in the middle of a song in London just the other day because they were over the curfew. Maybe stupid red tape and bureaucratic garbage meant they had to be done at a certain time?

It was a great show, as always. Unfortunately there are always drunken buffoons who just want to drink and be obnoxious instead of watching the show, but that's unavoidable. Another thing I like about John is he'll speak up and he knows how to get them to quiet down.

I had heard people complaining about the Premium packages, but I had no problems. I got front row center seats and it was great. I was also very pleased about the no camera policy and the fact that they didn't let people crowd in front of the stage. It made it much more pleasant. My Mom was there in row 1 and I was worried that if there was a huge crowd of people in front then she wouldn't see anything (since she can't stand for more than a minute or two). The lack of cameras and the lack of people crowding made it a much more enjoyable experience.

I'm so glad he is still mixing in some songs like Death Letter, The Real Life and Key West Intermezzo instead of just doing the hits. It's the fifth time I've seen him and he's been great every time. The whole band looked like they were having fun, which is nice. Can't wait for the next tour! (though they definitely deserve a break!).

Sounds like a good list. Glad he's keeping "Key West" in, such a great song. I don't know about anyone else, but it puts me in a weird trance (for lack of a better word) every time I hear it. Both versions do that (the Rough Harvest version being the other). It would be great if he'd add "No Better Than This", but either way it will be an amazing show.

Okay, cool. Thanks!

I know things were done a little differently for this leg of the tour regarding the VIP packs (ie. not divulging seat locations) but I'm wondering about the early entrance and "tour guide" (for lack of a better term; I can't recall exactly what they called it). How early is the "early entrance"? I know tickets have to be picked up at will-call the night of, but I can't imagine there being too much to do if you enter very early! I know the tour is still a month away so there will likely be lots of answers once it has started, but I was just curious about that.

Edit: On site "host" they call it; and crowd free merchandise shopping.

OMG I am sooooo excited.  Registered and got pre-ticket sales for the
Dartmouth, NS concert.    I have always wanted to see Mellencamp and am sooooooooo
excited !!!!       Thanks for the heads up on the pre-ticket sales as the Dartmouth venue
only holds approx. 3500 so this no doubt will be a quick sell out !!!

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!! 

You're in for a treat. He puts on a great show. I saw him in Syracuse (with Dylan and Willie Nelson) in 2009, at Rama in 2010, at Massey Hall and in Hamilton in 2011. Every show was outstanding. On this particular tour he's been going 2-2 and a half hours right through and mixing it up with older songs and his newer stuff (which is excellent, he just keeps getting better). Sounds like this summer will be a little different (arenas as opposed to theatres) so it'll probably be an even livelier show (though the theatre shows were very uptempo). He really knows how to structure a show and his band is outstanding!!

The show was great. John has gone on record, numerous times over the past year or so, telling people he is NOT playing his greatest hits right now! He has been very, very clear. He is tired of stadium shows where he has to play the same 12 or 15 songs every single night. He has never deceived anybody by promising them the greatest hits and then not delivering. I was surprised how many of his hits he worked in, actually.

The music he has been writing the past few years is the best he has ever done. Sure his hits were, and are, great, but he is continuing to improve and getting better all the time. He is very similar to Bob Dylan in that respect. If you had read anything about John lately you would know he isn't doing his best-of, stadium style shows. He's sick of them.

I live in Ontario and have seen him 4 times in the past 3 years. In Syracuse (with Dylan and Willie Nelson), at Casino Rama, at Massey Hall and in Hamilton. I know he played London in the winter of 2008 because I just missed out on seeing him. He played in Windsor just after his Casino Rama show last summer. On those tours he was playing mostly greatest hits. He has been all over the place recently.

As for the set up of this show; I'm fine with no opening act. The movie was interesting and if you had already seen it, you knew exactly what the time frame was, which was perfect because you knew you wouldn't miss the music. The show was great. He played lots of his hits and lots of his newer stuff. Bringing out great older songs like Key West Intermezzo was brilliant. It was a great show. No encore, well, so what? He obviously set it up purposely by playing Pink Houses, ROCK in the USA and Cherry Bomb last. What's the difference if he had ended with something else and then come back 2 minutes later and played those 3? He closed the show with 3 of his best loved songs. Nothing wrong with that.! I've seen him on this tour twice and he played between 2 and 2 1/2 hours non-stop both times. I feel like I got my money's worth and then some.

I would assume he'd be taking some time off. He's been touring a lot the past few years. Hopefully I'm wrong though, I'd love to see him again in 2012!

I thought "The West End" was missing as well. And was surprised he added "Crumblin Down". He must have decided a couple songs in to make the changes because he went around and talked to each member of the band. Great show!

I'm not sure he played Walk Tall in Hamilton. He might have but I don't recall hearing it (and I saw the whole show). Early on he went around to talk to each member of the band and it seemed like he was making a change or two. I think he cut Walk Tall for whatever reason because pre-show his tour manager said he'd be on until 10:30 "on the dot" and he ended about 10:15. It was still an amazing show, but for whatever reason he cut at least one song I think.

Just got an email today from the Centennial Hall Box Office that the show scheduled for London, ON October 28th has been cancelled "due to a scheduling conflict"  Refunds will be given but it's still a disappointment. At least he's in Hamilton the next night!

I love this shirt. It's a rough drawing of John on stage and above it says Johnny Cougar Mellencamp, with the "ny Cougar" scratched out. I bought one in Toronto at his show but the size was too small. It hasn't turned up in his store either  I'm hoping they are still selling them in October at his shows but by then it won't be t-shirt weather around here. Does anyone happen to have an extra around they'd like to get rid of? Men's size XL...

Are you looking for the album as in the record, or just the CD?

I will! Saw it from the 4th row at Massey Hall in Toronto in February and it was amazing. Also got seats in row 3 for the London show. Going to be a great weekend!