unifiedtheory

@sleapman Maybe both? The ghosty kickoff sounds familiar. I also have a vague memory of someone in a devil getup for the encore/DFTR. The costume would also vibe nicely with Hell Is Chrome, though they played that fairly early in the set. Man, I loved the Ghost Is Born tour....

 

Wilco's Reaper has become a staple of our family's Halloween mix, both the 10-31-04 version and the one from the SSF all covers show (which we didn't attend due to our son having been born that morning).

 

Happy Halloween, VCers!

As always, thanks for the report @bböp. It was a treat to see the new material in an intimate and venerable venue. I got aced out on the initial on-sale but lucked into a ticket yesterday when Metro released a few more. A Halloween miracle!

 

A few scattered thoughts:

 

I loved hearing the Cousin songs live. Feels like the band leads into the garagier and more experimental aspects of the album on stage.

 

Now that Cruel Country is no longer the most recent Wilco record, it's fun to see how those songs fold into the set and add some swagger and twang. (I will now be opening some kind of retail enterprise called Swagger and Twang.)

 

John's playing on Handshake Drugs was particularly effervescent.

 

Nels and Pat's conversational interplay on Bird Without A Tail/Base Of My Skull was stunning. It's a unique thrill to see those two locked in with each other across the stage, sending and receiving these jolts of improvisational beauty.

 

Nels' solo on Impossible Germany cast a kind of hypnotic spell, complete with drawn out Theramin-style notes during the first section. Of course it still built to a frenetic crescendo. But the otherworldly vibe of the first part of the solo was perfect for a late October "Wilcoween" show.

 

Speaking of Wilcoween: Like a good trick-or-treater, I'm happy to get what I get. (Except raisins. Please don't give me raisins.) And the whole show was a treat! Still, I was hoping we might get a cover of Don't Fear the Reaper, which I first saw them play during a memorable encore at the Auditorium Theater on Halloween night 2004. (Wilco DID don costumes for that encore.) Also figured Hoodoo Voodoo could make an appearance. Or maybe Laminated Cat, one of my all-time faves to hear live. But in the end the show's vibe wasn't especially Halloween-esque, despite some moments of costume banter by Jeff and a few costumed concertgoers, including a guy dressed as a giant Whoopie Cushion.

 

And now a bit of a non-band gripe: The crowd entitlement at some of these shows can be disheartening. I'd been in my spot for 40 minutes or so when a couple guys made a fake show of threading the crowd as if looking for people, one of them stomping on my foot before deciding to stand right in front of me, so close to me that I would've had to step back to make room for him. I asked if he could please not stand right there. He said "We're still working on it," then took one step to the side and stayed there. He asked me if THAT was okay. I replied that showing up when they did, stepping on someone's foot without apology and squeezing into a spot that wasn't really there isn't a great move. His reply: "Your foot wasn't where I thought it would be." I feel like some of this behavior has become more common at Wilco shows in the past five years or so and it's unfortunate. In close proximity we're all gonna ruffle some feathers occasionally. But it's not that hard to exercise basic concert etiquette and avoid being THAT GUY.

 

On a related note, while the crowd was definitely into the show, it felt like they could've made more noise after the first set and again after the encore. I'm not assuming that's why the extra songs were scrapped. And I'm admittedly sensitive to this because I was once at a show at the Cap where Jeff chided the crowd for insufficient pre-encore applause. But it felt a bit like the crowd was treating the extra songs like a given. And sure, you're pretty much assured to get an encore. But it's still important to ASK for it. And if you ask enthusiastically enough, you just might get two.

 

All in all, it was a joy to see the boys play a hometown show, and especially sweet because I had completely given up on the prospect of scoring a ticket. I hope the band and the Wilcrew enjoy a happy Halloween, good travels home, and some much-deserved R&R.

 

 

 

 

 

As always, thanks for the excellent reportage, Paul. I was fortunate to make it to nights two and three. Things I particularly loved:

 

-- The opening one-two punch from AGIB and the healthy Sky Blue Sky representation.

-- The different direction on Laminated Cat. "Primal" suits it perfectly, and the new direction really highlights what a shape-shifter that song is, lending itself to a range of renditions from wistful solo acoustic to trippy, spacey psychedelic to fuzzed-out garage rock.

-- Nels' work on Impossible Germany, where he mixed up his reliably incendiary solo with some loping, strutting, bluesy notes that gave the song different flavor of swagger.

-- Spotting the members of Horsegirl gleefully singing along from their perch in the box.

-- The surprising (to me, anyway) closing selection of On and On and On. After the shoutalong blast of Shot in the Arm I was wondering where they'd go for the final selection -- Casino Queen, maybe? -- and thought the shift to the quieter, prayerful On and On and On made for a lovely valediction.

 

As far as the concertgoing experience, the Riv proved a challenge. If you're not in the front GA section, it can be quite hard to see the band unless you're 6' 6". It also means you're likely to be in close proximity to running conversations from other people about how they can't see, either. On Saturday night we were near a member of the security team who did a very admirable job with the thankless task of playing bouncer to the stage right side aisle -- this sparked a kind of cooperative team dynamic among those of us standing near him. On Sunday night I was closer to stage left, and another member of the team was quite shouty with the non-compliant audience members trying to set up camp in that aisle. It's not exactly the background vibe you're hoping for when Jeff launches into Sunken Treasure. I'm very grateful that Wilco kicked off 2023 with this hometown run at the Riv, and seeing them ANYWHERE, especially Chicago, especially now that we've moved back, is always a special thing. And the band's long history at the Riv, and the Riv's long history itself, brings an extra dimension to the show. That said, the challenges of the venue made for a couple of the most claustrophobic, sight-line challenged, sound muddying, urinal puck scented Wilco shows of the forty-something I've seen. Not to be ungrateful -- I'm grateful, very grateful! -- I think I was just surprised and a bit unprepared to be quite so thrashed by the Riv's currents. And I quickly found that the best approach was to just give up and let the venue carry you where it would instead of fighting the churn. There's a silver lining in it, the kind of helpful reminder to chill out and go with the flow that comes from being happy just to see your favorite band do their thing (or see the back of someone's head seeing the band do their thing), knowing that whatever you get will be special in its own way, and the next time, and the next place, will be its own special thing, too. As a wise rocker once sang: "I will try to understand either way."

 

 

 

 

^{I have one extra for GA floor if you're interested?}

I don't think I'll be able to get to the line before 12:30, which I imagine may be too late.

 

If anyone's in line, would you mind reporting how things look on the ground? Thanks and good luck, everyone!

Given the social media post, my hunch is that it'd be a venue that could accommodate more than a small crowd? Perhaps that's wishful thinking. But what would we be without it.

 

We just moved back to the area after 18 years away (and first date was to the first Otto's show in 2004) so it'd be such a treat to catch the guys for a surprise gig.

Finally got to see Pavement last night. They're in top form and it was a joyful performance and pumped-up crowd. Seems like they're changing up the setlists night to night while keeping the popular favorites in the set every night.

Just moved back to the Chicago area after 19 years in NYC. Think we'll get an all-band Chicago show before the end of the year? Or maybe a Winterlude in '23? Here's hoping . . .

I've seen John sing "It's Just That Simple" a handful of times -- always lovely to see him get that showcase -- but couldn't recall Jeff playing bass those other times. Is that the usual swap for that song?

Michelle Zauner singing Jesus, Etc . . . was definitely a highlight for me. I'd been hoping this would happen, given the fact that she performed the song with Wilco at their ACL HOF induction. Still such a thrill to see her put her spin on a song I always love hearing live. And knowing the mutual appreciation between JB and Wilco made for a lovely connection between their sets, most obviously with Nels' solo and Michelle Z's expression of love for Wilco's music.

I wonder if Memorial Day weekend will become the new standard for Solid Sound. Anyone have a sense, or know why it moved from late June? Sunday certainly seemed to benefit from the holiday weekend -- it was much more crowded than I can remember in previous years -- clearly a win for the vendors and performers and the festival as a whole. I always loved late June -- and selfishly the trip is easier to make with school schedules and things. But I'll take a weekend in North Adams whenever Wilco can make it happen and whenever it's best for the town and the museum.

 

And unless I misheard, Jeff mentioned on Saturday night that they'd planned this particular festival three times. Were they actually considering a 2020 festival on the heels of 2019? Or did Jeff thrown an extra year in there, easily done given the time warp of the pandemic? Or did I just mishear?

Thanks for the excellent reportage as always, @bböp. I'll echo that Cruel Country live really gives Pat a chance to shine. We were a few people off the rail directly in front of Pat, and you could feel the joy and affection he was putting into those licks and solos. He just seemed to be basking in the music and the appreciative crowd, and it was lovely to see. And a notable contrast from the last time I'd been able to see Wilco, at the Ode to Joy NYC shows in October of 2019. (Side note: I also caught Pat's conversation about his Noticings exhibit and he was reflective and warm and funny in speaking about his path to photography, his stepping away from it for several years, and his return to it during the pandemic. It was especially resonant to hear how somewhat spur of the moment decisions to go to a retrospective and, later, an Eggleston museum exhibit, had such profound influences on his photography and creative spirit.)

 

In general, I tend to prefer shows where an album isn't played straight through, so I was surprised by how transported I was by the show, just swept away by the rollicking performances, by Wilco's reflective, mournful, complicated take on country and Country. There are probably several reasons for this: I had listened to Cruel Country a few times this past week and had some familiarity with it, and burgeoning love for it, but it was fresh enough so that the sequencing and many of the lyrics and flourishes hadn't imprinted in the way an album does when you live with it for several weeks. So there was a newness to it but also points of familiarity and opportunities for singing along. Also, as Jeff mentioned, this is perhaps the only time they're going to play the whole double album in one show, so it felt special in the way that Friday nights on Joe's Field feel special. Add to that the joy of seeing the whole band for the first time in more than 2.5 years (I caught one of Jeff's solo shows at Brooklyn Made last fall) and the treat of the country-themed encore (especially Neko Case's guest spot) and the overall feeling of floaty happiness that Solid Sound inspires, and it was a very special night.

 

 

Excited to see that the daily lineup has been posted! I'm hoping Neko Case will do a pop-up in one of the galleries. This'll be our 4th SS -- any advice on staying informed about pop-ups? IIRC, last time the app offered real-time notifications. And maybe some VCers will share intel on this board?

 

Counting down!

On 1/27/2022 at 7:45 PM, Broken Foot said:

To those who are excited about this line up.  Please make some recommendations that we can listen to.  We have been listening through many of the bands, but nothing is really standing out.  

 

I'm a regular booster for Japanese Breakfast on this board, and Jubilee is one of my favorite albums of the past couple years. Michelle Zauner has talked about the influence of SummerTeeth in particular on the sound of that record and on her life -- she walked down the aisle to She's a Jar of all songs. Jeff covered the song Kokomo, IN on a Tweedy Show ep. Here's the original:

 

 

While it's hard to isolate a highlight or two from an album I love from start to finish, Be Sweet offers a rollicking bass line and a funky counterpoint to the more contemplative sound of Kokomo, IN:

 

 

I've seen Will Oldham (Bonnie 'Prince' Billy) three times and each show has been a powerful, strange, enlightening experience. I love this version of Horses, which is one of WO's guises "covering" a song by another, as featured on the album Greatest Palace Music. Johnny Cash covered "I See a Darkness" for American III. WO told a funny story about being invited to play piano (IIRC it was piano) on the recording and eagerly agreeing, then having to admit that he didn't know how to play piano. But he still got to join in the performance. On a personal note, WO once signed a book of lyrics for a friend of mine who was undergoing a very serious health crisis. He wrote a simple and lovely inscription the centerpiece of which was "wish you were here" and it meant a great deal to my friend and to me. The song "New Partner" is another favorite of mine. But there are so many treasures: "Minor Place," "West Palm Beach," I could go on and on.

 

 

I didn't know Le Ren before the lineup was announced but I love the soulful lilt of this song and its evocation of boundless mother-daughter love:

 

 

Here's a bit more about that song:

 

https://www.stereogum.com/2157067/le-ren-dyan/music/

 

Also very excited to see Sun Ra Arkestra directed by Marhall Allen, who at 97-years-old keeps the cosmic flame of experimental jazz burning brightly!

 

https://www.npr.org/2020/10/30/929182429/on-swirling-marshall-allen-keeps-the-the-sun-ra-arkestra-soaring-through-space

 

 

 

I was lucky to catch JB's tour opener last summer in Silver Spring and have been so eager to see them again. They give an electrifying, generous, inspiring performance. And based on the Wilco-JB mutual admiration, and Michelle's appearance with Wilco at their ACL celebration, it seems likely that they'll share the stage for a song or two at some point over the weekend, if schedules allow.

 

I love Solid Sound's reliable mixture of bands I know and love and ones that I'm encountering for the first time. I wonder what fresh spin they'll put on the Friday night show? Though just to have the festival back will be fresh spin enough. . . 

Woohoo, hopeful hunch confirmed! Thanks for the scoop, @dagwave! Excited to see Michelle Z and company bring their magic to Joe's Field. And Bonnie "Prince" Billy, too! I've seen him 3 times and each time has been captivating. And Sun Ra Arkestra! The whole lineup looks stellar. Counting down!

 

 

 

 

Just saw that Japanese Breakfast is playing Boston Calling on Sunday, May 19th, which keeps my posted hope alive that they will be playing Solid Sound earlier that weekend (they have another New England date before SS).  Solid Sound's social media account has been teasing the lineup announcement with their alumni posts, so we must be getting close. Also possible that I missed an announcement of the announcement, or an announcement of the announcement of the announcement.

 

Not that there's a contractual or logistical reason for this, but I wonder if they're waiting for SBS to wrap before they reveal the lineup for SS22.

Michelle Zauner! Japanese Breakfast was the first show I saw when shows started happening again, and Jubilee has been in heavy rotation this year. Knowing about the mutual admiration between Wilco and JB -- Jeff covering Kokomo, Indiana on the Tweedy Show, Michelle saying she walked down the aisle to She's a Jar, of all songs -- this is such a lovely and fitting meeting of the minds. I'm pulling for a Japanese Breakfast set at Solid Sound '22. One can dream!

That's awesome. Now I'm picturing Pat doing his windmill move while holding a bowling ball.

 

5 hours ago, Brian F. said:

Waiting in line for the Palladium show on Saturday, Pat came by and told us, "Some bands have the power to get them to shut down the bowling, and we're one of those bands," which I thought was hilarious coming from him.  He also exaggeratedly mimed bowling which, again, just slayed us.

 

Relieved to hear for all who attended that Wilco were able to 86 the bowling during the show. My last pre-pandemic show was the Jayhawks at Brooklyn Bowl in BK and the show was punctuated by the clatter of pins and rolling balls and the exclamations of bowlers. You can make the menu fancy and the food pricey and decorate it with all the reclaimed midway carnival clowns you want, but there's no way to disguise the fact that you're watching a band in a bowling alley when ACTUAL BOWLING is going on. In NYC, which fortunately has no lack of similarly-sized venues, I'd only venture to see another show at BB if it's a band I love and they're not playing anywhere else in or near the city.

 

Thanks for the report as always, bböp!

Sunken Treasure!

 

And How to Fight Loneliness! It took me a few dozen shows to finally hear this one live (at Radio City on the pre-pandemic East Coast OTJ run). So I'm always happy to see it pop up again. Must've made for a lovely, wistful one-two punch with ST.

 

Thanks for the report, Paul!

Thank you, sir! After last Friday's solo show I was feeling particularly wistful about the unusually long gap since I've seen the full band (I had to miss August's show in NYC because I was out of town). But it's like the message board kids say, or should say: A Report from Paul: The Next Best Thing to Being There.

 

I wonder if it's somewhat strange for Jeff -- in addition to the obvious surreal nature of resuming a tour leg sixteen months later -- to have played a pair of solo shows for 500 or so people on one coast, then play a larger concert hall with the full band on the opposite coast three days later. I guess it's less unusual for a guy with a few decades of touring under his belt. And the pandemic has certainly taught us all to expect the unexpected.

 

Looking forward to reading your dispatch from tonight. Enjoy the show!

 

Thanks for the stellar (as always) reportage, Paul. And welcome back to your old stomping grounds. It was a lovely night in a space that's clearly been designed with careful attention to the audience and performer experience. One of the selling points for artists is the private apartment upstairs that they get to bunk in, which to me brought an extra dimension to Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You. Although I guess technically he was staying there, and the audience was not, so the dimension is a bit forced.

 

As Paul said, Jeff's guitar work was in terrific, sprightly form. After many shows over the years, this was the first time I'd seen him in pandemic times (last shows being Radio City and Brooklyn Steel for the Ode To Joy tour), and it was such a welcome return that I found myself not too preoccupied with what he would or might play. It was just a joy and comfort to be back in a room with Jeff. The fact that he delivered a warm, funny, irreverent and dynamic performance was icing on the cake.

 

Pieholden Suite was a definite highlight for me, especially with the extra element Paul noted about the typically unsung line being expressed musically. Hearing One Sunday Morning took me back to my first time hearing that song live in Miami in 2012. And Laminated Cat is also a treat for me, as my handle might suggest -- especially this time of year as we approach the days of "candy left over from Halloween."

 

The last time I saw Jeff solo, not counting Tweedy at Solid Sound, was at Town Hall a few years back. That show veered into tense audience feedback territory, as they sometimes will. At that show, certain "yahoos," to borrow Jeff's phrase from Night One, took too many liberties with ill-timed or ill-advised shouts at the stage. And it always makes me a bit nervous when audience members seem a bit to eager to extend the conversation -- at a certain point, it's really time to just let Jeff play his song, and realize that the show is about him presenting a collective experience rather than an opportunity for extended one-one conversation. Happily, last night's exchanges tended to be of the capsule variety, without anyone feeling like they needed to audition a running gag. (Though I think the scatting guy tried at one point to revive that bit, and his effort was mostly ignored.)

 

The performance of You Are Not Alone felt like a particular balm, and a fitting choice for those of us just starting to return to concerts. (I believe he said he'd meant to play it last night but "forgot.") Jeff at one point remarked that he realized we "have many choices for our entertainment needs, so thank you for choosing the Jeff Tweedy Show" or something to that effect. You'll always be our #1 choice, Jeff.

 

 

 

 

_{Thanks for the excellent report,} bböp! My wife and I had tickets to this show but had to pass them along after the postponement. We were very sad to miss it, tough weather and all, so your dispatch eases the sting a bit. I've found Forest Hills to be a lovely summer venue with surprisingly good sound (as opposed to Merriweather Post, where I've always found the sound to be lackluster, despite my nostalgic attachment to the place as a native Marylander). Here's hoping for clearer skies ahead. 

 

 

Bruce Cockburn - Christmas

I love Bruce Cockburn -- Bruce Cockburn Live was on heavy rotation in my dad's house when I was a kid -- but somehow missed that he did a Christmas album. Will check it out!

 

 

I Want an Alien For Christmas-Fountains of Wayne.

After just a few days, this one has already become one of my kids' favorites. Thank you!