Preferred B

There's an update in the offing...

All instrumental, no vocals. 

With the exception of the Ray Charles cover, sung by drummer Josh Dion.

Thinking back on the past incarnations of the band was an act of personal reflection.

T, you're spot on about the reflection inspired by last night (and the whole past week of shows). I'm not one of the lucky fans who have been around for Wilco's complete tenure, but it's definitely been a while. When I saw my first show I had just graduated college, just bought my first car, and was due to start my first full-time job in a few days. I remember Jeff introducing Mikael that night and saying something like "We're not quite sure what he does yet." I also remember noticing that Jeff seemed to know so many fans near the front of the crowd, and how cool it was that he interacted with them sometimes. I had no way of knowing then how many people I love and care about I'd end up meeting directly and indirectly through this band, or how much their music (past and future) would resonate with me. I'm so glad I was able to take part in a celebration of all that, and Friday's show was the perfect culmination.

One more banter note: I just remembered that when Jeff introduced the band, he referred to Glenn's job as "smacking the tubs." Glenn laughed and gave a few (sarcastic) slaps to his tom-toms before the next song.

I take it no Josh on Hoodoo?

No Josh, though Glenn tried to coax him out of the wings.

Red Eyed and Blue >
I Got You
Secret of the Sea
Too Far Apart
Via Chicago

Bull Black Nova
Blood of the Lamb
Deeper Down
I Am Trying To Break Your Heart
Art of Almost
I Might
Message From Mid-Bar
Dark Neon
Another Man's Done Gone
How To Fight Loneliness
Misunderstood
Far Far Away
What Light
Pot Kettle Black
Dawned on Me
Impossible Germany
The Good Part
Spiders (electric)
---------------------
Let's Not Get Carried Away
Just A Kid
Kicking Television
----------------------
ELT*
It's Just That Simple*
Always In Love*
Hoodoo Voodoo*

* — performed hootenanny style with Jeff and John on acoustic guitars, Pat on banjo, Nels on dobro and Mikael on melodica, Glenn on percussion

What a great, emotional finale to the 6 Winterlude nights. Setlist to come!

I'm having so much fun at these shows! I'll be sad when they're over. I, too, was a fan of the melodica pillow during Shot in the Arm. I'd never seen Everlasting Everything live before last night, so that was a treat. And although Glenn didn't use it last night during the acoustic encore, I really want to figure out what the plastic-wrapped thing is that he's been shaking. Cat toy?

That makes me happy.  Are you coming, Brianne?

 

Yep, see you there, Leigh!

For what it's worth, June 26th, 27th, and 28th are listed on Wilcoworld's show page as Wilco shows with the opportunity to request songs.

For my own personal tastes, tonight was one of my favorite Wilco shows. So many crazy choices that were exactly what I wanted to hear. (I'm an unabashed fan of Shake it Off, damn it.) I think the first encore was my highlight. Never thought I'd see Let's Not Get Carried Away again, let alone followed by Kicking TV! I have a feeling Glenn doesn't relish his extended drum solo spotlight in LNGCA, but he carried it off spectacularly. Also, tonight's crowd reaction to Impossible Germany was probably the most enthusiastic I've ever heard (at least from a non-European audience?) Credit to Nels for great solo. The whole band sounded excellent.

It was great to meet you, Cait! Looking forward to seeing you again sometime down the road.

Another great show! I was actually thinking about At Least That's What You Said in light of all Jeff's electric guitaring last night, and I hope it shows up this week. Side note: Jeff sang "I was blamed for rock and roll" (or "I've been blamed for rock and roll"?) during Sunken Treasure. I hadn't personally heard that little deviation before, and enjoyed it.

I have been dreaming of a live full-band Dark Neon since the actual first time I heard the song, so I'm incredibly happy to have been there for its debut. The second encore was really something special, too. Looking forward to finding out what else is in store.

Great words, Judy. I'm so glad you could come.

That was just awesome.

I just tried to request it but it's not on the dropdown menu. Maybe flood their FB page with requests? I'd really like to hear that too!

I may or may not have been requesting Dark California Stars for the final Friday show with a write-in comment of  "Actually, Dark Neon!" for a while now. But I forget a lot, so it's really about 8 times. Matt, feel free to stuff the box (that's what she said) for a night when you'll be there!

Loved the show last night. Feed of Man! So awesome. No More Poetry, hootenanny Dreamer... fingers crossed for Dark Neon during the Winterlude!! (A girl can dream.)

Top-notch recap, Mr. Klinger! I was lucky to tack this show onto the end of a last-minute business trip to England, and am so glad I was able to make it. It was my second time seeing this band, and the first time I knew any of the songs from the album, making it a very different experience. I'll echo that the theater sounded wonderful. I personally didn't think it was an odd setting for Tweedy - for Wilco it would have been, maybe, but I thought it worked well. The banter was indeed great, and cheers to the Londoners for being such a witty crowd! It's extremely rare in the USA for audience-shouted comments to be anything but drunken and cringeworthy. I also appreciated Spencer miming the big lift from Lion King when Jeff mentioned the musical, giving us the amusing visual of Jeff lifting his taller-than-he-is son into the air. On the heels of that, Jeff also mentioned trying to find a giant Babybjörn in which to carry Spencer onstage. "Maybe in Sweden."

Songs: "Diamond Light" is such a monster live. I was happy to hear "Please Don't Let Me Be So Understood" for the first time, and I adore the Diane Izzo cover. Plus two Mavis songs in a row!

Awesome! I can't wait for Milwaukee (and Chicago). When was the last time they did More Like the Moon as a full band? I know I could probably look it up, but maybe someone will do it for me.

Merged! That version of Misunderstood sounds very cool.

LOVE THE HAIR

I usually leave a Wilco show feeling like I heard 4 or 5 really unique songs, rather than 1 or 2.

For what it's worth, they played 6 songs in Akron that they didn't play in Columbus. Sure, it's definitely not on par with setlists for a 2-night stand at the same venue. But based on how many of the same songs were played at the start of the show, I was pleased to hear that much variation. True Love Will Find You in the End was such an awesome surprise! And I think technically we got a different version of California Stars tonight, with two first verses followed by a single second. (I wasn't hallucinating, was I?)

As far as my experience went, tonight's ornate theater show was a perfect counterpoint to the sweaty, outdoor GA show last night. I'll be interested in what they do for Lock'n. Reading about it afterward, that is, from my nice, comfy house.

 

 

When the Taste of Chicago show got cancelled last weekend, I was so disappointed.  But honestly, this was a far, far better way to appreciate the new songs and band. 

...for a tiny fraction of the people who were supposed to attend Taste.    But thanks for the reportage, everyone - the interview stuff is very interesting, and I'm glad the show was good.

Pretty sure Tugnutt's just working undercover.

 

Don't Be Scared

Now I am jealous! Happy for you that you heard it, though, after the aborted attempt in Tulsa.