The Chieftains have used the same routines and jokes, probably since they first began performing.   Paddy Maloney will come out and start speaking in Irish, catch himself "oh sorry, sorry sorry" and then speak in English. Their final number also features the same jokes and patterns. Yet, they always add something new each tour. The audience will put up with repition if the artists are giving 100%. The reason most people attend concerts for someone of that stature is due a certain familiarity with the material. The audience expects certain things.

One of the few concerts I walked out on was an Eagles "farewell" tour a few years ago. Their renditions of the songs were note for note copies of the original recordings. I felt cheated, as if I could have stayed home and listened to the CD's and save a few bucks. Still, I was in the minority of opinion.   Most of the audience LOVED to hear the songs and settings they expected.