LouisvilleGreg

It's not a very well liked book around these parts, but as a somewhat obssessed detail nerd, I like it very much. I do however think Kot has a tendency toward the dramatic and overplays things quite a bit throughout. Definitely pretty fun read though.

Lot of new songs on this tour. It got me to wondering if anyone recalls how many new songs played before "Ghost," didn't find their way onto the album, not including "Panthers" or "Kicking TV." Anyone?

"Theologians," is by far the highlight for me. The first time I heard it during soundcheck at the Three Rivers Arts Festival in Pittsburgh three years ago I just about cried it was so good. As far as the album proper, I rarely listen to it anymore and rank it only above "A.M." & "Mermaid Vol II." I do however really like early, live, drone-less versions of "Less Than You Think."

Perhaps another approach is possible. Maybe if someone compiled via Wilcobase, a list of songs that have either never been played or haven't been played for years and got it to Jeff, he would consider some of those as possibilities for solo shows. He mixes up solo shows very, very well. I mean hell I heard Dash 7 in NY last year and it was only the fifth or so time it has ever been played. Anyway, it would be a neat list to look at.

0% Chance that they will ever play it, 33% chance that Tweedy will play it solo. actually, i just checked Wilcobase and it's never been played before.

"the new song was a fine opener and led nicely into "... break your heart" however - open letter to tweedy - i'm a yank seeing the band for the third time in a year. i too found the crowd a bit reserved, was briefly amused at your scolding of the audience, but ultimately found your remarks condescending, even contemptuous. hey jeffrey! if you find the crowd lacking in enthusiasm, look to yourself first. you walk out, interacting with no one, either on stage or off playing 6 or so songs without so much as a nod to the audience. what's your job anyway? show up and plug in? then the audience is supposed to bow down and worship? get over yourself, work up a sweat and earn the enthusiasm. that's why you're getting the big bucks. think springsteen has ever had to insult a crowd into activity? you do your job and the crowd reaction will take care of itself. remember jeffrey, you're the guy who told an audience member on kicking television "now be quiet".

lastly jeffrey, while you're working up some respect for your audience - don't ever apologize for playing new material. IF i pay for future concerts and i keep hearing the same stuff done in the same old way, then you're a nostalgia act and i'll quit coming. for now though, you're the greatest."

That's a pretty funny first post, but I hear what you're saying. Truth is the band's sound the last three albums has gotten less and less rocking, out-of-your seat, hell-raising. That Wilco peaked nearly ten years ago. And that's okay, I like every era, but probably 75% of the last three albums and what I've heard of the next one don't scream of high energy crowd response. As far as Jeff's stage presence, yes he can be off-putting at times, with the silent first hour treatment. Maybe they should start opening with "Dreamer In My Dreams," that would definitely set a tone for the night. - Greg

I wasn't at the show, but sounds like it's time to officially crown MMJ as the best live band on the planet. I mean seriously, Wilco is my favorite band by far, but the Wilco live experience is nowhere near the MMJ live experience. Here's hoping for some new tour dates as headliners real soon. I'm ready to see about five in a row!

I think I would seriously consider paying $50 just to hear MMJ doing "It Makes No difference." It's one of my top three songs by The Band and MMJ are a serious force live. Thanks for the review, Greg

Hey everyone,

What a great, great show that was last night. I went into this weekend thinking of how often Wilco plays in N. Carolina and how infrequently in Virginia. I think the double shot of Williamsburg and C'Ville will no doubt have them returning much more often in the future. How about Richmond guys? Two great, appropriately-sized new venues coming soon. As for last night though, possibly best "Ghost" show I've seen, and I've seen many.

Moreso than Wilco playing better than usual, I think the nice, early summer outdoor venue with an incredibly enthusiastic crowd pushed this show over the top. We got five more songs than W'burg and from about the the halfway point of the main set, through the smoking 9-song encores, every song picked up more momentum. The band really fed off of the crowd who (once again Virginia) danced more than any Wilco show ever. I'm talking half of everyone down front really letting loose, especially on "Spiders," "HMD," 'Kingpin" and "Hoodoo." The triple guitar rock off between Nels, Pat and Jeff is not to be missed. I saw a taper and I'm sure this will be floating around soon, but really I hope someone got this on video as it was hysterical to watch.

"Walken" sounds better than ever and has definitely progressed since last fall. "Either Way" still needs some work from where I'm sitting, but may grow on me yet. John and Jeff both jumped all over the stage especially late in the second encore of "I Got You" and "Red Eyed." They looked like they had gotten out of a 1997 time machine. The whole band really left everything on the stage and I feel certain they will visit Charlottesville again in the not-too distant future. Great show guys, great show fans. See you all down the road,

Greg

Here's the setlist from tonight. Details to follow sometime tomorrow, Greg

1. Via Chicago

2. Airline To Heaven

3. Hell Is Chrome

4. Handshake Drugs

5. Shot In The Arm

6. ALTWYS

7. IATTBYH

8. Either Way (Maybe The Sun)

9. Forget The Flowers

10. Hummingbird

11. War On war

12. Jesus, ETC.

13. Walken

14. Theologians

15. I'm The Man Who Loves You

Encore 1:

1. Wishful thinking

2. Spiders

3. The Good Part

4. Kingpin

5. Late Greats

Encore 2:

1. Heavy Metal Drummer

2. Red Eyed and Blue

3. I Got You

4. Hoodoo Voodoo

Alright, now for some thoughts. I'll echo what has already been said by saying that they could go through these songs in their sleep by now. But, and it's a huge but, they really tore into every song. Nels played a shit-hot solo at the end of "Ashes" that really added some new depth to a song I'm very indifferent about. The band seemed to be in a really upbeat mood and when they came back out for encores Jeff said they had consulted backstage and decided that Williamsburg was the most adorable audience of the tour. This brought much applause.

I had a seat in the front row immediately behind the soundboard and the crowd on the floor was much more energetic than most Wilco shows. There was a fair amount of dancing even. Also some serious long-haired headbangers downfront during "Spiders." It looked like an old Iron Maiden show for awhile there. The band matched the energy of the crowd and really clicked towards the second half of the set.

Nels leaned over to Mikael and let him pluck his strings at one point. Jeff did his usual arena rock give and take rap for "Kingpin," with a twist. He told the crowd that when pointed at to shout "How Can I" and the band would demonstrate what to do. He pointed, the audience screamed "How Can I" and the band then made some of the most ridiculous faces ever while screaming into all of the front line mics. Nels in particular made a hilarious face while halfway leaping across the stage. Pretty funny.

At one point Jeff taunted the crowd about not being tough by saying that they were in Jersey last night and that they weren't scared of William and Mary. "Walken" was the only new song, but probably the only one that could've worked in such a huge place. They played a 10,000 seat basketball arena with the satge mid- court and facing off to one side. There were supposedly 500 total people on the floor, and perhaps as many as 4,000 in seats that stretched all the way up perhaps 60 rows and fanned out quite a bit on the sides as well. Seriously one of the bigger Wilco shows I've ever seen.

All in all a surprisingly fun set, if not routine. Looking forward to some road crew surprises for the tour ender tonight in Charlottesville.

I can't beleive I beat Paul with this. Too tired for details, but I'll get some up in the morning.

William & Mary Hall - Williamsburg, VA.

1. IATTBYH

2. War on War

3. Company In My Back

4. Hell Is Chrome

5. Handshake Drugs

6. Shot In The Arm

7. ALTWYS

8. Jesus, ETC.

9. Ashes of Ameican Flags

10. Theologians

11. Siders

12. Hummingbird

13. Walken

14. ITMWLY

Encore #1

1. Via Chicago

2. Kingpin

3. Late Greats

Enocre #2

1. Heavy Metal drummer

2. I'm A Wheel

Springsteen impression? Any info?

Those last three photos are priceless. looks like you had a great show.

For as band that tours as relentlessly as Wilco, this sounds as if it was a very special show. I've been on tours (as a roadie) that lasted all summer long and believe me when I say that the ones that stick out are always the ones with a personal element such as Pat's homecoming. It really is an amazing story with him having grown up in town, bumping into Ray Charles, his dad the super promoter, the feel-good small-town vibe, the mayor's intro. Really folks, consider yourselves very fortunate for having witnessed that one. Signed, envious in VA

What songs are you referring to as "rocking?" I'll give you the second half of "Walken," but none of the others that I've heard are anywhere near "rocking."

First time for "Either Way?" I believe so. Please tell me it's an uptempo song?