Interesting point there about DSOTM, do you realise these days there is no way they could have performed their albums months (and sometimes years) before commiting them to album? The record company just would not allow it. The company would want them to promote the latest album predominently and would be apoplectic if they went on the road performing the next album, before it was even recorded. In the 70s there was a certain amount of bootlegging (winter tour 74 being a good example, as this had material not released for another three years!). Nowadays within hours of a concert being performed, that concert could be up on a p2p or torrent site and available to everyone to download who required it.

This side of technology is a shame, because it was the constant touring of albums up to and including Animals before recording which gave PF the chance to hone stuff to perfection (without the final piece becoming stale). I wonder if (magnificent as it is) The Wall would have encountered trimming and tightening up in places if they had had the luxury of touring with it for six months before locking it on tape in the studio?

Alas, apart from bands just starting up, the luxury of honing one's craft on stage has gone forever.