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Why do artists save their A game performances for London?

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Mistajam | 07:54 UK time, Wednesday, 27 September 2006

So looking at your comments on my Jay-Z concert review, it seems that my feelings were confirmed: that Jay did save his toppa top performance for the London crowd. He's not the first American artist to do this...I could list them, but the list is endless.

So why do they do it? Is it because there are more 'industry' people in London?

International people, let me know your thoughts too - do you grow up thinking that London *is* England?

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  1. 1.

    Before everyone gets in with their Bigsmokebashing I've gotta say I don't really think this is true. It's possible that artists give their most at the largest of cities, and here we are the largest in Europe, but on the other hand the London crowd can be absolutely lifeless more often than not. Shows I've seen around the country are generally better because the crowd are more appreciative and involved.
    It sounds like Hov was an exception rather than the rule.
    With American acts is often quite possible that London and Paris are the only cities in Europe they've ever heard off before setting out on tour. Dusseldorf or Nottingham probably mean nothing to them so yeah they may feel the London show is slightly more important but honestly I don't think we get BETTER shows, even if the artist does prioritise us more.

  2. 2.
    • At 12:54 PM on 27 Sep 2006,
    • vanessa wrote:

    We saw Jay Z in B'ham and it was a proper show non stop tunes, pyrotechnics. I kinda hoped Beyonce would put in an appearance and did feel a bit cheated knowing that both she and Nas turned up for the London gig, what is up with that???Why are we always Londons poor relation, not only do we not get the many artist that do one offs in London, we dont get any special guest.

    Oh well i take comfort in knowing that we show the artists more love and appreciation everytime

    LONDON aint ENGLAND!!!!

  3. 3.

    London is one of the important cities in Great Britain. Many people leave their best performances in almost ALL of the cities of Great Britain because Great Britain appreciates the artists that come into their country [while the artists are never appreciated in their home country]. Best Wishes from Miami Florida to my family in the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳.

  4. 4.
    • At 11:28 AM on 28 Sep 2006,
    • susie wrote:

    I understand if artists only do one show and they do it in london, but i feel cheated with the jayz gig! i went bham n even thou it were good, was gutted when heard beyonce n nas showed up in london. its just disrespectful to the rest of the country! we paid our money to see jay n showed him love. he barely did over an hour which annoyed me too, but he was still heavy!
    everyone in this country has a mentality that londons the place to be and so everyone outside thinks it too!

  5. 5.


    I don't know a great deal about how artists perform in London compared to other cities etc.... however as a Michael Jackson fan, having looked at his performances in his tours, every London performance he has done is considered to be among the best of his Tours (along with other European venues).

    About international people thinking London is Enlgand, I can agree with you - I am from Mexico, have been living in England for many many years now, and friends I have from Mexico or Spain or elsewhere always think I live in London, no matter how many times I say where I live (I don't live in London).

    Intresting.

  6. 6.
    • At 02:10 PM on 30 Sep 2006,
    • soultrain wrote:

    The fairest way to decide where to get your biggest show together, and get all these surprise guests together in one show amongst a natiowide tour, is to choose the place the biggest place to organise it.

    But the biggest city in the UK is....London! Simply fact. And London is the capital where most international connections can reach easily compared to the rest of the UK, so its not a case of a London-centric attitude amongst many artists who tour the UK - just the basic facts about London being more accessible, connected and the most populist city.

    Besides, these were all Jay Z gigs we're talking about here. And thats what Jay Z delivered. Its a bit of sour grapes if people were disappointed they didn't get to 'experience' the moment of the surprise guests of Beyonce or Nas...even I'm a bit jealous I missed that! But at the end of the day, these are Jay Z gigs, and all the London bashing is unfair and reckless.

  7. 7.
    • At 10:58 AM on 01 Oct 2006,
    • Amandeep Gill wrote:

    i agree with Mistajam - I was at the B'ham show, and i really enjoyed it, but there was nothing extra special, no unexpected names that popped out, no orchestra or anything - i saw Kayne at the NEC in Feb and it was his last England performance (i think), and i think he put loads of effort into it, but i did feel neglected at the Jay-Z concert, lol

  8. 8.
    • At 02:12 PM on 02 Oct 2006,
    • Justin wrote:

    As a place i ain't really feelin' London. I'd much rather b in Manchester (where i live now) or Notts or any other city up north, cos it's more friendlier n heads r more appreciative. From what i hear the London crowds can sometimes b as dull as dishwater anyways.

    I suppose the London heads have more choice tho. I don't know how people down there can moan about not many gigs cos up here we really don't have much except crappy student nights n cheesy rnb clubs.

    I'd expect the best show 2 b left 4 London tho, just like if someone was touring in Japan they'd leave the best show 4 Tokyo cos they don't really know scenes exist in e.g. Osaka. Comon i'm a northerner! Im used 2 it now!

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