Jack White sparks debate about music fans demanding longer live sets
Jack White has branded music fans expecting three-hour live sets entitled.
Jack White has sparked a debate about fans demanding lengthy live sets from their favourite artists.
Taylor Swift, Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel are among the music stars who ensure their fans get their money’s worth, often playing three-hour plus concerts, but the former White Stripes star wishes gig-goers wouldn't price their experience on how long the headline act is on stage.
Jack, 49, wrote on Instagram: "Been hearing a lot of chatter throughout the year of this glorious electric touring about how long our sets are "supposed to be" on stage. As if the length of a show determines how "good" it is. I know that we're living in a current era where people like to say "so and so played for 3 hours last night!", and brag about it the next day hahaha, I'll let our fans know now that my mind has no intention of "impressing" y'all in that context. (sic)"
The 'Seven Nation Army' hitmaker - who is currently on his 'No Name Tour'- noted how "The Beatles and Ramones played 30 minute (ish) sets."
He continued: "The Beatles and Ramones played 30 minute (ish) sets, and If I could, I would do the same at this moment in my performing life. That's actually the kind of show I'd like to put on right now. But there becomes this chatter that the cost of a ticket "entitles" people to some kind of extra long show...uh...ok (hahaha) so I'm bridging the gap. (sic)"
The Raconteurs rocker prefers to read the room and choose what songs he plays during his gigs.
He said: "Love to all of our fans, I see your faces every night and you can be assured I've never phoned it in in my life, whether its 20 minutes or 2 hours, I'm giving the room what the room is prompting me to do and share and that doesn't mean if people cheer louder its going to be longer either! haha. There's no setlist, and it's not a marvel movie, or a Vegas residency, it's rock and roll and it's a living breathing organism. (sic)"
Many fans have taken to the comments section of the post to say they have never felt short-changed by Jack.
Others noted how punk rock shows cost a lot less than pop acts, with one writing: "The 30 minute punk show was a 5 dollar ticket. If I am paying 55 bucks plus a 13 dollar service charge, I feel ripped off if the show is less than 90 minutes."
