The Doobie Brothers with Michael McDonald are back on the road. The band is playing a nearly 30-song setlist that dip liberally into all eras of the band's incredible 50-year-career.
In addition to such favorites as "China Grove," "What A Fool Believes," "Long Train' Runnin," "Black Water," "Takin It To The Streets," and "Listen To The Music" — the Doobies are diving deep into their catalogue, tackling such fan favorites as "Neal's Fandango," "South City Midnight Lady," "Wheels Of Fortune," "Ukiah," "Clear As The Driven Snow," "Sweet Maxine" — and opening the show with 1971's "Nobody" — the first song on the band's self-titled debut album
Michael McDonald told The Associated Press, "It’s really more like just old friends. It’s been that way for quite a while. . . It’s a crapshoot, really, whether we’ll make it to the end of this or not, but I hope we do. The main thing I think is if we start to see that anything that we’re doing has a potential of being a super-spreader. I don’t think any of us are worried so much about getting sick ourselves. We’re all vaccinated. But if we test positive, that means all the people in our workplace are being exposed."
We caught up with co-founding guitarist Tom Johnston who spoke in-depth about what a special show crowds can expect this time out: ["We do a lot of album cuts anyway, to be honest with you. We've been doin' that since the get-go, actually. And we still are — we're still doin' some album cuts in this set. They're mixed in with a lot of, y'know, songs that people really know, but things, like, 'Neil's Fandango,' or 'Dark Eyed Cajun Women,' or. . . it's 29 songs. It's a big list (laughs). But, I think people will get a kick out of them. We have a gigantic catalogue."] SOUNDCUE (:23 OC: . . . a gigantic catalogue)
The Doobies play tomorrow night (August 26th) in Green Bay, Wisconsin at Resch Center Expo Pavilion.
The Doobie Brothers' opening night setlist on August 22nd, 2021 at Iowa State Fairgrounds, Des Moines, IA:
"Here To Love You"
"Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me)"
"Dependin' On You"
"The Captain And Me???"
"You Belong To Me"
"South City Midnight Lady"
"Ukiah"
"Clear As The Driven Snow"
"It Keeps You Runnin'"
"Dark Eyed Cajun Woman"
"Better Days"
"Real Love"
"Wheels Of Fortune"
"World Gone Crazy"
"Don't Ya Mess With Me"
"Far From Home"
"Minute by Minute"
"Neal's Fandango"
"Without You"
"Sweet Maxine"
"Jesus Is Just Alright"
"Rockin' Down The Highway"
"What A Fool Believes"
"Long Train Runnin'"
– Drum Solo –
"China Grove"
Encore:
"Black Water"
– Piano Sax Jam –
"Takin' It To The Streets"
"Listen To The Music"
Tom Johnston On The Doobies Going Deep In Their Setlists :