We Can't Dance Tour 1992

What is it with Carpet Crawlers, I thought this was only performed in one show when Phil persuaded Mike and Tony to include it? Or am I wrong?

Quote from Schrottrocker

What is it with Carpet Crawlers, I thought this was only performed in one show when Phil persuaded Mike and Tony to include it? Or am I wrong?

Correct. When they decided on this tour, they all agreed they wanted to do a shorter stint, where the end was in sight when they started, as opposed to the ten month, round-the-world slog that they went on with Invisible Touch. They devised a set that wasn't going to change as the tour progessed (even though they ended up dropping Dream While You Sleep because audiences were getting restless and Mama because Phil's mid-range had all-but disappeared following a bout of flu during the American leg of the tour). The lights and the videos were all matched up to the songs so they couldn't deviate even if they wanted to.

When they went out again at the end of '92 for a short tour of smaller venues in Britain, Phil suggested they play The Carpet Crawlers and they went for it. I don't know why Tony and Mike were resistent to its inclusion previously, or why they apparently went against Phil's suggestion to do Supper's Ready instead of the old medley.

Quote from StillCan'tDance

I don't know why Tony and Mike apparently went against Phil's suggestion to do Supper's Ready instead of the old medley.

I recall an interview in which one of them, Banks I'm sure, said it was "such a slog" to do the whole song.

Why it's less of a slog to do a similar length medley I'm not sure.

Quote from Backdrifter

I recall an interview in which one of them, Banks I'm sure, said it was "such a slog" to do the whole song.

Why it's less of a slog to do a similar length medley I'm not sure.

It seems Tony was more in favour of presenting a potted history of the band in twenty minutes than Phil was! In retrospect, Phil said that the old medley was "dodgy" in that it bordered on a cabaret presentation of the music - "Here's one you might remember..." He singled out the moment where he goes through four or five songs in less than a minute (That's All, Illegal Alien, Follow You Follow Me, Your Own Special Way), saying that it's dangerous to do that because there'll be fans who have shown up to hear that song and it's passed them by in a matter of seconds.

I enjoyed the old medley at the time. It was great to hear snippets of some of my favourite old tunes and the band had so many other songs to play in the set that they really couldn't afford more than twenty minutes to do some old stuff. I totally understand that. I much preferred it when they went back out on the road in 2007, though, with a much more balanced set.

I’ve sometimes wondered about Phil and set lists. As someone who nearly joined both the Who and Yes he must have been aware that they managed to keep all eras of fans satisfied and so I think his idea of doing Supper’s Ready was an excellent one and I would have preferred it to the medleys - especially as they tended to be similar and revolve around ‘in the bloody cage’ as he once jokingly called it, a track I love and it was brilliant live but was wheeled out time after time. His pop sensibility and arrangers brain plus his understanding of an audience meant it wasn’t unwise to ignore him on such matters.

Quote from Thelawnmower

I’ve sometimes wondered about Phil and set lists. As someone who nearly joined both the Who and Yes he must have been aware that they managed to keep all eras of fans satisfied and so I think his idea of doing Supper’s Ready was an excellent one and I would have preferred it to the medleys - especially as they tended to be similar and revolve around ‘in the bloody cage’ as he once jokingly called it, a track I love and it was brilliant live but was wheeled out time after time. His pop sensibility and arrangers brain plus his understanding of an audience meant it wasn’t unwise to ignore him on such matters.

Well, a couple of things to address here. Phil considered auditioning for Yes in the very early days. They hadn't even done The Yes Album by this point so the point about the band keeping all eras of fans satisfied is somewhat moot in relation to Phil almost auditioning for them. But, really, the only reason Yes keep playing the old stuff so much is because the newer stuff sold so poorly. Sad but true.

As for "in the bloody cage", Phil was only repeating what an audience member shouted out. In fact, if you listen to the bootlegs from that run of shows, you'll know that that person showed up the next night and shouted out the same thing.

Cage was always good live and when on the WCD tour Collins announced the next track was some old bits I expected another Cage medley. So I was pleasantly surprised when they launched into Volcano and the subsequent snippets. I was especially happy to hear the Musical Box segment.

I remember Banks saying they wanted an upbeat set opener and had been considering Behind The Lines before going with LoC.

Land Of Confusion was the right way to go. Invisible Touch had been a huge album and everyone knew the songs from it. Going with a big number from the previous album as the opener was something of a tradition for Genesis.

Quote from Christian

I noticed that we final open air gig of the WCD tour took place yesterday, 28 years ago at Knebworth....

time flies so quickly, but we do have a decent video of that. The show was broadcasted by PREMIERE; which was a brand new pay TV station in Germany at the time - and it was broadcasted for free

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That reminds me, I have a slightly odd query about this Knebworth footage. In 1993, as a young fan, I had the VHS of The Way We Walk live. At some point a few years later, I must have got rid of it or sold it (I can't quite recall). Later, when the DVD version was available, I picked it up again, only to be surprised to find that it was NOT the show I remembered! Fast forward to the Youtube era and I came across the Knebworth show: THIS was the show I remembered watching many times as a kid! So how could this confusion have come about? How could I have seen that German footage many times, when I lived in the UK? Was it ever shown on UK television??

Quote from raelway siding

That reminds me, I have a slightly odd query about this Knebworth footage. In 1993, as a young fan, I had the VHS of The Way We Walk live. At some point a few years later, I must have got rid of it or sold it (I can't quite recall). Later, when the DVD version was available, I picked it up again, only to be surprised to find that it was NOT the show I remembered! Fast forward to the Youtube era and I came across the Knebworth show: THIS was the show I remembered watching many times as a kid! So how could this confusion have come about? How could I have seen that German footage many times, when I lived in the UK? Was it ever shown on UK television??

I may be remembering this wrong but I thought I saw the knebworth one on vh1 at some stage. Did you tape it off tv? I assume you didn't buy The Way We Walk and get a video of the wrong concert inside.

Btw I had TWWW on VHS too and I loved it SO much. It seemed so cinematic at the time

Quote from raelway siding

That reminds me, I have a slightly odd query about this Knebworth footage. In 1993, as a young fan, I had the VHS of The Way We Walk live. At some point a few years later, I must have got rid of it or sold it (I can't quite recall). Later, when the DVD version was available, I picked it up again, only to be surprised to find that it was NOT the show I remembered! Fast forward to the Youtube era and I came across the Knebworth show: THIS was the show I remembered watching many times as a kid! So how could this confusion have come about? How could I have seen that German footage many times, when I lived in the UK? Was it ever shown on UK television??

I agree with thewatcher, most likely you taped the Knebworth gig which was broadcast - I too recorded it. That would be your VHS copy. The dvd was of course filmed at London Earls Court.

Quote from Backdrifter

I agree with thewatcher, most likely you taped the Knebworth gig which was broadcast - I too recorded it. That would be your VHS copy. The dvd was of course filmed at London Earls Court.

Yes I think you're both right. If it was shown on VH1 that would make sense. I'm still mystified as to why the Earls Court footage was not familiar to me, but I guess that maybe I got the video as a birthday/xmas present and for some reason assumed it was the same as what I had recorded already - so I never bothered to watch it! Very daft of me if so!

Quote from Christian

I noticed that we final open air gig of the WCD tour took place yesterday, 28 years ago at Knebworth....

time flies so quickly, but we do have a decent video of that. The show was broadcasted by PREMIERE; which was a brand new pay TV station in Germany at the time - and it was broadcasted for free

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Thanks for the link. Despite the day being somewhat of personal nightmare the show was great and managed to lift our spirits. Didn't know this was out there and I shall watch the whole thing as soon as I have a few hours spare .

I mentioned in my Hi everyone post that I had VIP tickets for Knebworth 92 and I met the band..I was asked to post the background story here 👍

In 1992 aged 22 and a huge Genesis geek I was extremely lucky in acquiring 2x VIP tickets via my Uncle. He worked for Volkswagen (he was in a high up senior position). Volkswagen was tour sponsor and they had built a stand at Knebworth for all the VIP, sponsors etc. We were granted access 2hrs before the main gates were opened, and we could then watch the soundcheck etc😄but when we arrived the stand was placed off to the left and further back from the main stage...this didn't go down very well with me and my best friend. I was clearly showing my displeasure and having a bit of a moan (too far back.....can't see...to many people in suits....moan, moan, moan..wanna be at the front...moan,moan) We were standing by a chap with a white beard, wearing jeans, slightly podgy but a really nice man who must have been in his early 60s ..I thought he was a fan like me and my friend. We started chatting and I started the moaning 🤪 and he seemed concerned and also annoyed I felt that way. He then started asking me some strange questions about Genesis (obviously checking I was a true fan) then he said he will go and sort it..... I didn't think much more of it, we watched the soundcheck (awesome) and Lisa Stanfield ( Support act came on to the stage) This chap came back and said " Come with me"....WTF....So we followed him outside the stand and down the side going towards the stage...I thought what the hells going on? I then found out the chap I was moaning too was Tony Smith ( Genesis Manager ) 🫣 now don't forget this is early internet so I didn't know what Tony look liked... obviously I knew the band but not him. He took me behind the stage area and sat me with again with a wonderful women who was extremely nice and chatty. Again unbeknown to me this was Mike Rutherfords wife...we chatted and she then revealed Mike was actually her husband and I was clearly a massive Fan he may have time to meet me. So my best friend and I tagged along...at first we met Mike & Tony, they were amazingly friendly and Mike asked me if I played any instruments...the drums I replied....Mike laughed " Not another one "....Then Phil appeared and Mike said " This young man plays the drums "....Phil smiling away asked me what kit I play, how long, what heads....he really was interested...all my questions for him just left my head. I then met Chester and Daryl ( both amazing) and Chester said I could sit behind him just of stage and watch the opening song (Land of confusion) it was an amazing experience.

After the first song finished and No son of mine started we were taken by a stagehand to the far side of the front of the crowd and let in by security. We pushed , and squeezed along until we got somewhat near the middle of the stage....I was in heaven.... amazing memories and even now when I meet up with my friend every few years we always smile when thinking about that Day.....😀

What a fantastic story! I was there that day - for the gig only, no VIP passes here - and remember it well. The crowd were really up for it, like “it’s been a while since Wembley but we’re all back together again.”

I was right of centre between control tower and stage. Had a great view and those moving jumbotrons made a big impression at the time.

Funny you didn’t recognise Tony Smith!

Thank you for posting the story and welcome to Genesis Geekville! 👍

Lucky boy!!!! Great story! Kudos.

Excellent story bigaluk - an experience you'll never forget.

I've never yet heard any account of meeting members of Genesis where they were described as anything other than warm and friendly.

Cue someone posting an account of Mike Rutherford screaming "WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU? GET OUT OF MY WAY !" and shoving them roughly aside. Then coming back, kicking them in the ribs, then finally stomping off.

Unlikely, I realise.