shoesgetcold3

Wilco is like an old friend that no matter how much time apart, being in their company is so comforting. Incredibly solid show, they hit at least one song from all 10 proper studio albums. I think it is safe to say they will definitely switch up songs and give a nice variety, but we are not heading towards any original Riv residency set list craziness. South American Spiders was the highlight. So much fun and superior in every way to the clapping, start and stop version of the past. The trump banter from Jeff was great but I still felt like I was living in a dictatorship when after the show, the bright basking light of the hotel sign engulfed me on the walk to my car.

Considering that three of the last four album titles have been (the album), Star Wars and Schmilco, is it becoming sorta hard to take the band seriously. I should note that I am a lifelong fan, dating back to UT. I've seen Wilco probably about 75x, I've been to two Solid Sounds and I've loved every record up until SW, which I thought was mediocre at best. I've heard the first few tracks on the new one and I'm left scratching my head. They sound, similar to SW, uninspired and going through the motions.

 

Again, I am about as big of a Wilco fan as there is, but......I'm just starting to wonder.....

I have very strong (negative) reactions to this album title, the direction of the music since WTA, and Jeff as a relevant song writer. I'm not bitter, my lack of interest is not an indictment on anyone who loves the album title or music, just something I feel.

You should not feel bad, everyone reaches their tipping point at different times and it is usually very personal. There does not have to be a definitive jump the shark moment. Sometimes irrelevance is bubbling for a long time and then one day you wake up read the word Schmilco, listen to the first two songs, remember you didn't care one bit about Star Wars and poof, a band you once loved, swore by, and were deeply associated with is just irrelevant. But my music tastes are ever evolving. I once loved U2, I can't listen to them at all. I once loved REM, but could care less what they are doing today. I once loved Radiohead but that was last decade.

In the crazy world of Tribune baseball writer Paul Sullivan, Yoenis Cespedes is Bruce Springsteen, a high earning entertainer whom the Chicago White Sox have shown some interest in signing. However Sullivan feels the White Sox might be better off signing Dexter Fowler at a lower cost. And in the last sentence of the article states, "perhaps Fowler can be more like Wilco, and then everyone will be better off."

Sorry if you are not a baseball fan, don't know who Dexter Fowler is, or prefer baseball scribe Peter Gammons, but this struck me as so odd, I had to share it with the other 13 people who understood the wacky reference.

http://eeditionmobile.chicagotribune.com/Olive/Tablet/ChicagoTribune/AfterLogin.ashx?Reader=/Olive/Tablet/ChicagoTribune&Id=62378206&d=2016-01-21&r=none&c=aeb565dea9027b75edd1223708e0773d

Modest Mouse:

Trailer Trash

Styrofoam Boots / It's all right on ice, alright

3rd Planet

Custom Concern

Talking Shit About a pretty sunset

Ocean Breathes Salty

The styrofoam boots portion is a perfect request for Jeff's next solo benefit show as it sounds like something that could have been on Anodyne 

From the noisey.vice review linked above..."They're like the hip persons version of the Dave Matthews Band."

Wow does that depress me. I've spent my last 20 years seeking out and listening to music that I like and it was all to be a slightly more hip Dave Matthews Band fan?

He was correct however. That was not one of Wilco's best sets, with the debut of an album barely anyone had heard, most of the hits, and a festival crowd. But going back to my 11 years of attending this festival (I went to intonation fest in union park in 2004&05) the headliners have usually left me slightly disappointed. Pavement and Modest Mouse come immediately to mind. And it is usually the mid afternoon act that steals the show. Tune yards and Robyn immediately come to mind. Pitchfork is a great music fest with a great overall vibe and patrons with diverse music tastes. It is not a homecoming show for Wilco.

Via Chicago, She's a Jar, Shot in the Arm,

When You Wake Up Feeling Old, How to Fight Loneliness, I'm Always in Love, Pieholden...

what's not to love?

In a future age.  But that's about it.

Huh? I don't think anyone was misled. I certainly never thought the TWEEDY shows were going to be anything like the Jeff Tweedy solo benefit shows.

Well I was not saying they were going to be the same, it seemed obvious a Tweedy show would play songs off the new Tweedy album they were touring in support of.

The benefit show dates have jumped around over the course of time too...

Yes I recall seeing a benefit show on Valentines day (late winter) and early April (early spring) which is exactly when this Tweedy show took place. So historically speaking, this Tweedy show took place in the same calendar period the benefit shows normally occur.

Now add to that wilco is touring, Tweedy is touring, Sue may not be up to putting a benefit show together this year, etc. and it was easy to believe there would be no benefit show this year.

All I was saying was the timing of the announcement was within 2 days of the Tweedy show and it was my belief (no one has to agree with this) if the benefit show was announced sooner, some people might not have bought tickets to Tweedy when there was another and IMHO superior Jeff show on the horizon.

Hypotheticals do not work on message boards so truthfully I should have posted my feelings or beliefs. But don't play so dumb that the timing may not have been deliberate in an effort to sell out the Vic three times among the same finite core group of Wilco fans. Maybe they decided while they were at the Vic last weekend that Sue was feeling up to it and the Vic people wanted to make it work. I am not criticizing anyone, just pointing out my gut reaction when I saw the benefit show announcement.

Strategically announced just days after the Tweedy show, which took place in the same venue right around the dates historically going back a decade that the solo benefit shows have taken place. I do not begrudge the announcement, nor the extra chance to see Jeff perform, just mentioning the way that many of us who have attended these shows regularly and lovingly were "led" to believe that the Tweedy show would substitute for the benefit show this year.

The following is a list where if seen independently would have made last night a great and memorable show:

Sunken treasure and misunderstood in the first 10 songs

Total Pros

Pieholden suite/summer teeth

It's just that simple (with appropriate crowd adulation for John)

Some day some morning some time

Spiders ending the main set

New Madrid / Dreamer at the front of the stage

But all those were played in one night.

Late in the show Jeff was talking about how he and john had been working in this milieu for 20 years and everyone else on stage for at least 10. He went through the 10 year guys quickly then said they would get a better intro when they were here for 20 years.

So yeah, WOW! I've been to many wilco shows. I've traveled hundreds of miles to see them, walked hundreds of yards to see them, and everything in between. I've been crazy into wilco, down on wilco, and every feeling in between. One thing is for sure. They treat us to some of the most inventive, inspiring fan friendly concerts. The 5 night residency, solid sound, incredibly shrinking tour, evening with tour, all incredible events that most bands could never dream of pulling off. And yes we have grown older with wilco and we might not be as precocious as we once were, but I am proud to be a member of a wilco concert crowd.

Can we change the "Dad Rock" label to "age appropriate rock"?

That was the best "library" show I've ever been to. If it really was the library guy who provided the oomph in the zep song, it was too perfect. Jeff seemed to think it was and I want to agree.

I actually thought this was one of the better shows for Tweedy original rarity's. I'm always in love as the opener was damn near perfect. 3 of the 1st four from summerteeth. At least one song off the first 6 albums. Radio King, not for the Season, and ruling class seem to be the Jesus, shot in the arm, and IATTBYH of the Tweedy solo shows. Usually it's Airline or Cal Stars, not Airline and Cal Stars. I guess I'm saying a lot of sing a longs. I love sky blue sky and wish the next person in line after hearing that request would immediately request Far, Far Away. I would love to hear those two back to back. And closing with misunderstood is wonderful. Usually Jeff ends these shows at the foot of the stage with no mic, but if he wants to close with misunderstood, no problem here.

Jeff and Susie, as always you guys are wonderful and put smiles on our faces which we hope multiply by thousands right back at you and your kids.

Great article extremely well written with the requisite knowledge where an outsider flipping through Chicago magazine or a super fan who knows everything could both enjoy.

My comment is about the living room shows.   I totally understand the underlying entitlement the writer touches upon.  Thinking back to the mid 2000's, as much as I loved the Vic solo shows, I did not understand the seemingly sub group of fans who requested the songs only they knew and wanted to hear.  This was either pre living room shows or their very early days, but I was uncomfortable sitting in the Vic while one fan requested a cover heard once in 1996.  It felt rude to Jeff and extremely self entitled.  It splintered the collective spirit of the shows which to me were about gathering with your favorite musician and a small group of very like minded fans.   So it does not surprise me at all to read those comments.  It feels like the Vic shows of late have had less of this, though it still exists.  Unfortunately, it seems as if that attitude is very prevalent at the living room shows.  And where I would never tell someone who paid to be a part of a living room show what to request or how to behave, it does seem unfortunate that this is what is has come to.  Maybe I am overly sensitive but I do not feel this reflects well on those attending.  I respect Jeff too much to act like that in front of him, but maybe it is all part of the schtick that goes with giving 25,000+ to charity.

This was my 11th straight year of attending a Jeff benefit show (from Gary Scheppers to tsunami victims, sue's temple, academic scholarships, etc) and they never get old. One of the highlights is seeing the evolution of songs. For example Jeff used to avoid hummingbird solo before working through it and coming to this beautiful and simplistic version. I also love stripped down versions of some of the more produced songs on record and full band shows. Art of almost and can't stand it immediately come to mind. Sky blue sky and country disappeared are gorgeous solo and the emotion in ITMWLY is as real and earnest as you find from a performer on stage this side of Daniel Johnston. A passenger side sing along is a blast. Two songs I did not know (nothing up my sleeve and listening to the wind that blows) and a personal highlight of I wanna be your dog for the first time since the ann arbor folk fest a few years back. (which ranks as one of my favorite memories of all the solo shows I've attended)

But tonight will be remembered my be as the Casino Queen night!!! To say this version blew me away would be an understatement. Wow. It had a Dylan protest song era vibe but also twanged country. (which makes no sense but I still have not totally wrapped my head around its amazingness). The fact that you can come to these shows and be blown away by the minutia is what keeps me coming back year after year.

Jeff and sue please keep this up forever even if it is the same people inching slowly closer and scarier to you the more you present yourselves as such real people. It is the accessibility and closeness we feel that make us think about your hair and dying in car crashes while listening to you. Or your son knowing that a 2t is the next size above the onesie which makes us feel like you guys are our friends. It is a real sense of community (beyond knowing the words to a song from an istitutuion that I have nothing to do with outside of these shows) you have created and for that I am eternally greatful. See you next year!

First off, terrific terrific day at the Hideout Block Party. I have gone many years and the treat of having Wilco headline was very exciting. But first, Jon Langford (Waco Brothers) was terrific as always. Kelly Hogan was wonderful. She has such a genuine personality on stage and much like when she was with Neko Case at Pitchfork a few years back, was really thankful to be there. Corin Tucker Band drove a hard beat and was a nice mid day act. They are no Wild Flag, but enjoyable. Wild Belle was the find of the day. I love a powerful voice and Natalie Bergman has as powerful a voice as you could hope for. Only 23, she has soul and range. Most of the beats are simple reggae ones, but put that voice on top of it and you have some good music. Wye Oak was my only dud of the day. Too quiet and subdued for the setting, I could not get into them. But Lee Fields made up for that 100 fold. It seemed a very short set, much shorter than the 90 minutes they were scheduled for, I would be surprised if it lasted 60. But those were among the best 60 minutes of music you could listen to. The band was great, the voice is golden, and the energy was palpable. It made you take notice. So clearly I would have gone to the block party no matter the "headliner".

But since it was Wilco, ("why has the hideout overlooked us all these years", as Jeff said early on ) I got up from my blanket where I had a great view of the stage all day and went up close. Jeff said they were all getting over a bug which explains some of the lack of energy, and the crowd while big and generally great, was a bit subdued. That said, Misunderstood is the perfect opener. To add Sunken Treasure so close in the set was a real treat. Either Way is too often overlooked. The AM songs were the perfect pairing for the Hideout. Jesus for President was dedicated to Tim one of the Hideout owners and was perfect for him as Jeff said. If you have never heard his rambling scatter brained band intros you are missing some seriously crazy stuff. I truly mean crazy. Dawned on Me is my favorite Wilco song of the last 3 albums and was a great kickoff to the encore. And much like I feel Misunderstood is the best opener, Monday>Outtasite is my absolute favorite show closer (with Red Eyed I Got you a close second) No matter how many times you see Wilco, they still put on a great all around show.

A few more hideout thoughts. After the day is over they have a dance party break out. This is a lot of fun to watch or participate in assuming you have the energy after a full day of music. The crowd is older then many other festivals, many 30's as I am, 40's and many many kids. Very respectful overall and much of the riff raff you deal with at other music shows is absent. Add in the unbelievable weather yesterday and it was as nice a day as a music lover could have.

Ugly cassanova

Issac Brock gets very little love in the someone else's song thread. Not sure if it is because this is a wilco board and MM threatens wilco's dominance, or if it is just old fashioned ignorance, but considering modest mouse is the only American band that could rival wilco's output in almost the exact same career time line, I am always surprised to not see them mentioned more. Ugly Cass was with Tim from Califone, a via Chicago fave.

Per a Jeff story from a few Vic benefit shows ago, they were vacationing next to each other by chance. If a spark did not strike up then, it is doubtful one would now.

I heard Jeff and a Tupac like Jay Bennett hologram are planning something. Too soon?

I read the title and got excited to see him at an anniversary party for the local taco joint.

Back in August I planned a trip around seeing one of the first shows Jeff played in his "reincarnation" tour. It turned into one of the most memorable nights of my life. Seeing Jeff on a summery Saturday night in Canada when I had no idea what to expect was both magical and inspiring. I wrote a lengthy post on this blog in the Someone Else's Song section which described not just the show but my personal reactions and emotions before during and after. With the success of those those summer shows, a follow on tour with a stop in Chicago seemed realistic, something that would have been hard to fathom one year ago. Taking place on a cold Monday night near home, this show lacked anticipation not just from me but from the late arriving crowd. Granted the show in Toronto was GA, where this show assigned seats in advance. But whatever was missing before hand, was quickly replaced once Jeff took the stage. Starting with Two Headed Boy part 2, his voice was loud and spot on, holding notes long and perfect. The energy of Holland and Gardenhead blasted through especially the latter's transition into Leave Me Alone. Little Birds which he did not play at the show I attended in Toronto was dark and personal, and when Scott and Laura (Scott Spillane of NMH) came out on Ghost, the energy was at its highest. But perhaps the highlight of the night was the beautiful and haunting Two Headed Boy which lead into The Fool when Scott, Laura, the third member of their band and one more woman (whom I did not know but also played a beautiful Cello on Naomi) all came out to play the instrumental only track. The randomness and ease with which the supporting players came and went was very cool. There were no announcements or grand entrances, just extra musicians coming and going mid songs to specifically add sound to Jeff's guitar. Closing with the title track from one of the best albums ever was an emotional way to end a very moving performance. "How strange it is to be anything at all." It was hard to leave after that, but the honor of being in attendance was more than enough. I assume some other via chicagoans were there, what did you guys think?

Set list:

Two Headed Boy part 2

Holland

Gardenhead/Leave Me Alone

Song against Sex

Little Birds

King of Carrot Flowers part 1

King of Carrot Flowers parts 2 & 3

Ghost

Naomi/April 8

Oh Comely

Two Headed Boy

The Fool

----------------

Engine

In the Aeroplane Over the Sea

#1 Jeff Mangum in Toronto. I wrote about my experience somewhere on this site, but lets just say I still have goosebumps thinking about that night. Seeing him next month in Chicago will be my #1 show of 2012 as well.

Honorable mention:

Andrew Bird at MCA with Ian Schneller's amazing speakers. Small and intimate yet big sound with about 75 speakers and the high ceilings of the MCA atrium

Mavis set at Hideout Block Party. Her last show for awhile and she had the place on fire

Head and the Heart at Hideout. It was my third time seeing them over the summer, the first 2 almost by accident as the opener for Iron and Wine and Decemberists. I got the feel this band was already too big for the venue

Arcade Fire at UIC pavillion. I just love The Suburbs and feel every tour they do where new music is added is better than the one before.

Tuneyards set at Pitchfork: Just an amazing performance that won me over as a Merrill fan for life. She is so talented that I am in for anything she does in the future

Wilco Riv: After the personally terribly disappointing Madison show, my faith was restored and my love renewed.

Yo La Tengo at Green Music Fest in Wicker Park: Seeing them for $5 where my dog usually chases a ball was almost as awesome for me as for the alderman who introduced them.

John has been practicing yoga for awhile. We go to the same studio and I been in class here or there with him since at least 2003.

Night 2 out of 2 for me, as I have matured and only "needed" to see two of these shows, though if I would have known all the deeper tracks planned, well I would have found 5 babysitters. 6 if you include the Andrew Bird sound experience at the MCA next Wednesday.

I stopped trying to guess last night. Smart move as even Handshake got cut. Hotel Arizona is a rare pre SBS song which gives Nels a real chance to let loose. Sometimes it feels as if this current lineup has less to do on some old tunes, but Hotel and Casino Queen utilized the full sound. Some older tracks do not need the full sound as Summerteeth and Say You Miss Me were perfect with a bit of restraint.

The biggest upset of the two shows I attended was AGIB 10 YHF 3. Yankee was -2.5 coming in. I love an underdog, and this was no exception. Getting to hear nearly all of Ghost in the 2 nights was a pleasure. I hope you all get Company and Wishful Thinking at the club shows, because let's face it, AGIB deserves to played in full. In particular, Theologians and At Least That's What You Said. Who doesn't love screaming "I'm a Cherry Ghost"?

I did allow myself one guess before the show, and like many of you had that Kicking Television / Vic connection in mind. A rare treat.

I wish I did not know Dreamer was audibled out of. Because if anything bad could be said, the 2nd encore was weak, especially if "hot shirtless roadie's on cowbell" did not titillate.

There is a reason we all love this band so much. Even when we (OK I) complain when 19 out of 23 songs are predictable as hell, they come back with a surprising run. What other band treats their fans to a residency, night with tour, and a 5 night stand with shrinking venue sizes? I would say these two nights were a rebirth of how much I personally love Wilco, but I realized I never fell out of love, just took them a little for granted.

NEVER AGAIN!!!

A few more thougths:

The Riv felt like home. I loved one of Jeff's opening lines. "Welcome back... to us."

The show had the vibe of a residency show. Which to me is the greatest compliment I can pay it. It definitely felt familiar, with deja vu moments like where I parked, how the line wrapped around the corner, where I sat, and sadly a bunch of people coughing. I got quite sick towards the end of the residency. I ran out pretty quickly after 2nd encore so I missed Peaches. Or at least like to think I missed it.

And by not playing the standards, the band showed what an amazing catalog of songs they have. They can go off the beaten path with great song after great song. Not that this is news, but I did not want to upset anyone in the band by putting too much emphasis on how much I enjoyed skipping the classics.

And finally, the 2nd encore was a surprise to me. I know they had been coming back with Nick Lowe, but with him off the tour coupled with the Monday>OuttaSite encore, I really thought they were done. The fact that reservations>Spiders was played in a show where One Sunday morning was skipped was the final surprise in a night that kept me totally off balance.

What if I told you, the Wilco super fan, that you could see the band and they would not play Jesus, Shot, IATTBYH, ITMWLY, Heavy Metal Drummer, or Impossible Germany. Is that something you might be interested in?

Hell yes! Amazing show with almost none of the standards we have seen in just about every show for the past 10 years. Only 2 songs from Yankee, Kamera in the first set, and Reservations in the 2nd encore. Reservations led into Spiders which was unexpected.

Props to the new album. I thought Capitol City, Dawned on Me, and Whole Love sounded especially good tonight.

Less than you think opener. Red eyed and Blue - I Got You was played in the first 7 songs. Via Chicago started the 1st encore. My number one request for the night was I'm Always in Love. Just a Kid was out of left field. You are my Face had been kind of absent lately. And did I mention the lack of regulars? They kept me guessing, which had not happened in years. Truly great show. I am ready for Thursday.

Never one to shy away from self examination or admitting I am wrong, after the stir caused here I decided to go back and give unmentioned tune another it listen. And if that was not enough, I went through my residency downloads and gave that a listen. If there is one thing I stand by it is the residency was the high point for Wilco. Even with Andrew Bird helping out, that song is bad. There is some part of me that can not disassociate it with Chelsea Walls, but I just do not like it. At all. There are a few Wilco songs that do nothing for me, but only one I find truly bad. Pile on haters, but I went back with an open mind and hope that maybe time would change my mind. No luck. At least I tried.

Lincoln Hall would be great, but the Hideout would be the venue that would make my head explode