Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers just wrapped up a series of 11 shows at the Beacon Theater in New York and the Henry Fonda Theater in Los Angeles. Huge hits like "Free Fallin'" and "Don't Come Around Here No More" didn't make a single appearance. Instead, the show was built around rarities like "Rebels," "Wildflowers" and "A Woman in Love (It's Not Me)." The change of pace clearly reinvigorated the group, and they played some of their best shows in recent memory. Midway through the New York run, Petty paused to talk with Rolling Stone about the tour.
I would imagine you're having more fun at these shows than your usual arena shows .
Well, it's different, you know? Something different is really good these days. It's more intimate. There's a really free selection of material going on, and the crowds are great, so it's terrific fun.
On your last arena tour, did you get bored just doing the same hits every night?
Well, in all the tours, I always put in some new stuff and some stuff we haven't done. But you can sort of get into a routine where you kind of really know the show really well. I don't want to become a jukebox, but I do enjoy all the gigs. I can't say I don't enjoy them, but this is pretty exciting.
We've done this before at the Fillmore, and in Chicago some years back. It always breathes new life into things, and this is particularly good. We're really enjoying it.
by Andy Greene, Rolling Stone | Read more:
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