John's "Plain Spoken Tour"

[williehagfan1]

Hey Guys!

            I've been a fan of John's from way back when he started as Johnny Cougar. But, unfortunately I was not able to get to any of the 2015 shows. I see that he is continuing the Plain Spoken Tour in 2016, and I really want to go to at least one show. In my opinion, John has done some of his very best work on his last 6 or 7 albums. All I'm looking for are a few short comments from anyone who has seen any of the Soft Spoken Tour dates. Basically, what did you think of the shows? If anyone can comment for me I certainly would appreciate it.

                                           Thanks a lot,
                                           Bill

[MrSickboy50]

Oh oh oh you HAVE TO GO you will NOT be disappointed!!!!! I will give you the lowdown!
So I saw John live for the first time last year in Detroit, Michigan (I'm only 16). The show is INCREDIBLY intimate. He's playing in little theaters and auditoriums so it's smaller and more personal. That's what makes it better! I was in the 4th row but I was fortunate enough to sneak into the CENTER of the FRONT row. Right in front of John's microphone. He is so kind and fun to his fans- he touches hands with nearly everyone in the front row (he touched my hands 3 times, dance with me, and even spoke to me). So if you're a diehard fan like me, you literally cannot resist his shows. It doesn't even seem like Mellencamp is 64. The only thing that gives it away is his looks, but he still looks good!
As for his voice and the music- it's still really, really catchy. His voice is a lot raspier now so if you're expecting the John Cougar days you won't exactly get it. Just look up videos of recent shows to get the jist of it. He's older, more mature, but it's far from worse. It's a rock show for crying out loud, how bad can it be? You won't be able to stop dancing once the music starts.
I have a copy of the setlist he did last year. He did a lot of new songs on his new album, and a lot of old ones too. He even remixed a few but they sound way, way better (after 30+ years of playing the same song, it's time for a change lol!)

1.) Lawless Times (opener song)
2.) Troubled Man
3.) Minutes to Memories
4.) Small Town
5.) Stones in My Passway (Robert Johnson cover)
6.) Human Wheels
7.) The Isolation of Mister
8.) Check It Out
9.) Longest Days
10.) Jack and Diane
11.) The Full Catastrophe (remixed with just piano)
12.) Away From This World (Ghost Brothers of Darkland County)
13.) Tear This Cabin Down (Ghost Brothers of Darkland County)
14.) Overture (just the band, a break for John lol)
15.) Rain On The Scarecrow
16.) Paper In Fire
17.) If I Die Sudden
18.) Crumblin' Down
19.) Authority Song
20.) Pink Houses
(Band introduction squeezed in here)
21.) Cherry Bomb (last song)

[williehagfan1]

Thanks so much MrSickBoy50! I appreciate your comments. And yes, you were right about John and his show. The only detriment to the show, and it wasn't John's fault, was all of the drunks who dominated the audience at the venue I went to.

[MrSickboy50]

Indeed. I saw John two more times since I wrote that comment. I saw him at a casino back in April and it was pretty horrible. Not John, of course lol, but the actual way the concert was set up sucked. The venue stopped selling drinks when John came out at John's request so that there would be no drunks at his show. I totally get that (and I prefer that), but man the security was SO uptight! NOBODY was allowed to get up from their seats so dance... can you freakin' believe that? Luckily I was in the front row so I could see him well, but the security was so RUDE to everybody. And totally way too strict. The setlist was also cut short by 6 songs or so.
From my observations, you should avoid casino shows at all cost, unless there is no other show available to you. Theater shows are much nicer, and I have seen that John is usually in a better mood playing at them. If I recall he has said once that he tries not to do a lot of casino shows becuase he doesn't like them and/or the drunks. I can't remember where I heard that thought.
I also wanna mention that I saw him a few days ago, and it seems that he has added "Pop Singer" to his setlist at a few of the shows. That's a rarity, so enjoy it! He sounded REALLY nice when I heard it live. The band was so tight and it sounded great! Also I saw at a show recently that he did "Hurt So Good", but I think that's for "special" shows. I don't know. I think he just throws random songs into the mix at random concerts.