Working on the new 2025 tribute show

Published on 29 November 2024 at 10:22

HOW DO WE DO IT?

At the moment, we are working on a new tribute show for 2025, and adding some new songs to the set. I've been asked so many times how such a process actually works. So I decided to write a blogpost about it.  As a Joe Cocker tribute band, the task of creating an amazing setlist is thrilling. On the other hand, it can also be very challenging. Joe's discography is filled with so many great hits and iconic songs, that it makes the selection process always very difficult. In this selection process, I always have to take some factors into account. For example, how these new songs are going to resonate with the audience. Or better, how I think they're going to resonate. Because it's always a little bit of a prediction I have to make, based on my own experience on a live stage.

But also, how are the new songs going to sound when we play them? Because we only have 9 musicians. Some of Joe's productions were made by twenty, sometimes even more people. Then there are the classic hits like 'Unchain My Heart', 'You Can leave Your hat On', 'With A Little Help From My Friends, You are so beautiful etc. Leaving those out, to make room for new songs, would be just unimaginable and even plain stupid! Because these are the songs the audience definitely want to hear, when going to a Joe Cocker tribute concert. So it's all about finding the right balance between the Cocker classics, and the other (sometimes not so well known) songs. 

After that, I set up a meeting with Reggie, the MD (musical director), to discuss the new ideas. Right now, this meeting is set for dec. 18. I also will try to write a blogpost about this meeting, and what came out of it. Maybe add some photos, because we're always combining business with pleasure.! 😁 There, we put the new setlist, and the order of the songs, together. 

With all the stuff that have been discussed in the meeting, Reggie goes to work. Writing the scores for every musician, so they can prepare themselves individually. He also organizes, and sets the dates for the upcoming rehearsals.

When preparing a new show, the first rehearsal always starts with an explanation about the songs, and how to implement them into the new show. After listening to remarks and/or possible creative ideas from the band members, we start to rehearse. And by the end of the first rehearsal, we already have a pretty good idea about the setlist, and how it's going to work out. A couple of weeks later,  a new Joe Cocker tribute show is born! 

By Dirk Verstocken - band manager JCC

Add comment

Comments

There are no comments yet.