If "artists enjoy playing their latest songs" is a good excuse, then name me one who has done it at the RnR Hall of Fame.
This is not just a gig for fans, this is a gig that is in support of induction into the hall of fame for a careers work. It's a lifetime achievement award of sorts.
It's about demonstrating for the audiences in the arena, and at home who watch on TV, the artists career, it's supposed to represent something.
So in what way would playing Vertigo or Sometimes be representative of their careers? For a band with a catalogue of 11 albums, countless singles, nearly 30 years under their belt to play songs that are merely a few months old isn't a little shameless?
well, I think I am in the majority, I haven't seen one, or heard of one artist who has been inductued who plays brand new music.
Clue me in to one who has done it, it's surely possible, but I havent seen or heard of it.
"What is playing live? It's self promotion."
No, it's promotion.
If you promote the cause in Africa, you play Live AID or 46664 or if you promote Free Tibet, you play the Tibetan Freedom concert, is this all self-flaggelation or playing music for another cause? I think U2 had other intentions, but I guess they were just trying to sell records? I dont think so.
U2, i think should promote their career as a band with longevity and honor their fans and their own music by playing songs that represent their catalogue. If they play the "new hit" to try to sell their tour, that reeks of shameless self promotion, as I said earlier.
It wouldnt be the end of the world, it would just be lame.