ChooChooCharlie

I don't feel like this is the right thread for this discussion so I'll make this my last reply on the old sitters vs. standers discussion.

Reading back, I found exactly one mention of such behavior. Maybe I missed some?

A couple:

for those of you heading to the balcony, you better not stand up during the show or else you'll get an earful!!!!

why would you anyway? there are seats, they're for sitting. if you want to stand, go down to standing room.

have you really watched a show at the Riv in the balcony with everyone standing? it sucks.

So my comment wasn't going after anyone, but in response -- as were a few other comments expressing why standing is perfectly fine at a rock show.

It's called playing to your audience. It's pretty typical that a performer declares that night's crowd to be the best, certainly better than the previous night's crowd. Don't take that stuff too seriously.

 

I know, Tweedy actively encourages singalongs -- but that's a strike against him in my book. And I realize that there aren't a whole lot of people who agree with me on this, but no one will ever change my mind about it.

While I believe playing to the audience may be a part of it -- I do take seriously that Jeff genuinely wants a lot of audience interaction (singing, dancing, clapping, and yes, standing). Of the dozens of articles, couple of books, dvds, etc. I've read -- he references his desire for audience interaction and extreme displeasure with lack thereof on a very regular basis -- so he doesn't just say that in shows to "play to the crowd" (especially when last night's "crowd" was an international audience via XRT online of Wilco fans, some of whom probably took offense -- there were surely more non-Chicago fans listening last night than were at the Riv -- so if he was trying to play to the big crowd, he failed miserably). Each fan is part of the experience and has responsibilities because of that. Its no coincidence Jeff has gone off on typically passive English crowds, and puts on the most energetic and longest shows to audiences that earn it with interaction. He has said many times that he feeds off that and needs it to truly perform. And, judging by his sarcasm towards gratuitous encores and the obligatory "you can do better than that" during sing-a-longs -- he hates rock n' roll cliche's like "playing to the crowd."

Not everyone goes in the balcony to sit -- some go b/c of lack of good seats on the floor. And regardless of that -- everyone pays for their own ticket and can watch the show how they want. That does not include drunken talking during songs, bumping into people, etc. -- but standing doesn't fall in this category for me, or clearly, for Wilco either. Its clear by your language you're angry about this topic and I know you don't want to hear it from me -- but I really do think you would enjoy the show much more if you loosened up and tried getting into the show and becoming part of the experience by interacting -- or at least not care when others do. Wilco is a band that relishes and feeds off of crowd interaction, and if I were you and really despised that as much as you seem to, I would limit my Wilco experience to listening to the albums. At a rock show, there will be some chaos you need to accept and people can stand if they want to. You'd get booted at a Celine Dion show if you stood -- but you don't at the Riv, and there's a reason for that. That's why people like Jeff Tweedy were drawn to rock n' roll in the first place.

Its the last night -- if you're going, I wish you a great show!

Are people really this fucking petty, that they now have to go after people who prefer to sit?

 

Sitting at a rock show doesn't make someone a bad person. Jesus.

 

And no, Jeff doesn't "hate" fans who sit. He's a performer, he'd like to see everyone sharing in the energy, but "hate"? Hardly.

It is clear Jeff hates IT when fans sit through the whole show -- I certainly wasn't implying he actually hates the fans, thought that was obvious though. He referenced the "lame" crowds he has to normally deal with last night -- its not a coincidence that the vast majority of the Riv crowd is standing, dancing, and enjoying themselves.

And no one is "going after" sitting fans. The comments from myself and others were in response to people "going after" standing fans. So the anger and swearing are seriously unwarranted. I think sometimes people are concerning themselves far too much with the fans and the surroundings and letting that impact their enjoyment of the show. I had a huge guy with B.O. but in front of me halfway through the show last night, but I had to remind myself my favorite band was putting on a great show, so who cares. So stand, sit, dance, whatever, but RELAX, please, and try to enjoy yourself -- I know I will tonight, regardless of what happens around me.

Agreed. I was in the balcony last night-cause my husband came along and he has recently suffered a stroke... and HE STOOD UP for most of the show. Most of the people on our side of the balcony stood most of the show-one person complained. Always one.

I can't sit-impossible. My body can't deal with that much musical energy and slouch in some marginally comfortable seat. I'm alone the next two and I'm on the floor.

AMEN. I never go balcony but totally agree: its a rock show. Plus after the last Madison show, its clear Jeff hates sitting fans. Multiple times he said things like, "you know, it is a rock show -- its ok to stand"

This is a band with punk influences -- please, please, please: no adult contemporary wilco crowds

thanks for the post -- its good to hear one of my favorite drummers is out of his barn and rockin it on the road again

He IS a rock star....

 

LouieB

Anyone notice Jeff staring at Pat during Walken? It was really really obvious -- he was shaking his head at one point. I couldn't tell if he was annoyed or in awe.

That's me on the left "head-dancing" like an ecstatic idiot :dancing :dancing

Met Nels again after the show and he seemed to be genuinely embracing doing some old stuff they never do (like he and Pat's guitar battle on Hoodoo Voodoo). Gotta love how that guy relishes interpreting other people's creations.

I don't get some of these complaints. It's a fucking rock show.

AMEN.

I'm definitely gonna feel comfortable taking the under on this one. I havent been this jacked for a concert to start in sometime. Just hoping I dont exhaust all my energy before the show(s), I am gonna have to really pace myself or I'll turn to jello before Sunday brunch even gets here. But anywho since we are wasting time at work today how about some setlist guesses for night 1?? Here is my show, a nice good momentum builder for the rest of the run, with a proper dash of everything....

 

I really admire your ambition. Since this is a five day deal with all recorded works involved, I unfortunately have no fucking clue what they will play tonight. However, I dig the Misunderstood opener and the Casino Queen first night closer. CS would be fitting to close out the first night since its off AM.

Via Chicago would also be very fitting, but I really think IATTBYH will open, so Jeff can do the "what was I thinking when I said................HELLO"

Yep I'm worthless, too. Is Green Mill open yet?

You know what, that's a fantastic idea -- and I think it might be soon. My buddy and I took a Ferris Bueller's Day Off on a Wednesday a few weeks ago and after a few drinks we were there drinking and watching a stellar jazz band warm up at around 1pm. I love that place.

My over/under on minutes of work accomplished today is 15.

I'm taking the under.

I'm like a kid on Christmas here thinking about the show tonight -- so I'm wondering: Is my A.D.D. atypically active on this momentous day, or are others getting fired / flunking classes due to Wilco-Residency-related inactivity too?

Thanks for the help here as I too have failed.

HOWEVER, in my attempts to get the Wilco bonus content, I somehow succeeded in getting a Hiphop porno called "Shake it Off" as the artwork cover for my bonus materials. Its still just Wilco in the contents, but what you click on to get to it is a bootylicious ass in a thong. For a while I just thought it was Wilco fucking with me. But I figure I just downloaded the artwork accidentally -- AND I'm a moron.

i really hope they don't devote each night to an album. a hodge-podge would be much better. i especially hope this since i'm going tuesday, and don't want to only hear AGIB stuff. i want to see being there and am stuff so badly.

They are not doing any albums in order. When Jeff hosted the Eclectic Company on XRT a few day ago he said they do EVERY song on a studio album, but they will not do them in chronological order. I guess that means Jeff isn't as into chronological order as most VC'ers

I agree that IATTBYH, Via Chicago, or Misunderstood have the dramatic, epic feel to them that could serve as the most effective catalyst to this monumental undertaking. Either way (no pun intended) -- I can't fuckin wait. :dancing :dancing :dancing :dancing

Wow, that was really surreal. I think the only thing that would make it more surreal is if I was reading that article and my name was Jeff Tweedy.

That author's gotta be some big Wilco fan who somehow got away with sandwhiching Jeff's name in with George Clooney, Reese Witherspoon, Meryl Streep, etc.

Wow, Jeff's right: the Deerhoofs really do sound like The Who fronted by a Japanese schoolgirl!

Wilco: 5x (will be 10x in eight days

Tweedy: 2x

Got on the Wilco bus late -- August 06 was my first show. I plan on seeing my 100th show on the Wilco Residency 30th year anniversary they have planned on February 15-20th 2038. They're opening with In a Future Age.

Just emailed ya -- definitely interested -- thanks!

Lotta good picks on here, and obviously Blood on the Tracks is the ultimate break-up album. Here's my favorite breakup lyric and maybe song ever. Paul Simon's title track from the classic Graceland album:

She comes back to tell me she's gone,

As if I didn't know that

As if I didn't know my own bed,

As if I'd never noticed,

The way she brushed her hair from her forehead,

And she said loooooooosing love

Is like a window in your heart,

Everybody sees you're blown apart,

Everybody sees the wind blow

Goosebumps every time.

very very very cool Jeff's back with GS for a show -- thanks for the link.

Cool question, humble submission:

"Let's Not Get Carried Away"

"I Got You"

Electric version of "Someone Else's Song"

Spiders would be boring for most of it, but orgasmic for some of it.

I believe you have completely overlooked the satirical qualities inherent in this thread. It's a thread that makes fun of snobbish kindergarten tactics.

It's a thread that makes fun of people who don't read correctly, not making fun of kindergarten tactics. It does, however, employ those tactics. And again, I'm totally on board for that. I'm even on board if you want to rationalize your immaturity. I just prefer to be more open about mine

I hated this thread the first three or four times it posted, even though I happened to read it correctly. Wilco nerds battle for elitist supremacy and attempt humor via snobbish kindergarten tactics. I post this to admit I am no better. My inner 4 year-old has triumphed. I anxiously anticipate this thread's return. My picks:

AM

BT

ST

YHF

AGIB

SBS

Feel free to disagree.

Matilda's is just south of the Vic (at Sheffield and Barry) and is one of my favorite bars in the city! Really great atmosphere, KILLER jukebox, which is updated pretty regularly, and friendly staff comprised mostly of music lovers. It's hard to describe the decor, kitschy / offbeat / quirky, but definitely interesting. You guys should definitely check it out if you've never been, I find it much more interesting than Big City Tap or Kirkwood or any other bars in close proximity to the Vic. I'll be there for sure prior to the show, for at least one Bud. Just my humble opinion. In any event, I'm starting to get REALLY excited, this should be an amazing show!

OK, you completely sold me on Matilda's -- and everyone on this thread is getting me extremely pumped for the bad financial decision I made for tonight

And Sue taking requests from the line? How sweet is that? She wasn't kidding when she said it was like a living room show. I have to go with Remember the Mountain Bed. Have a great show everyone.

I would definitely go with EW from SBS which was recorded at the L in the CHI in the state of IL (you can get there by taking the EL).................now I'm just getting carried away.

Cause, you know -- it rocks -- and maybe they love wilco, maybe they don't. Either they will or they won't.

If that doesn't work, build up your musical cred by telling them the band Train's earlier stuff is really kickass, and you broke your hand during a beatdown at a Maroon 5 mosh pit.

In Madison? Cool! I wonder where they were recording.

Yes, In Madtown. Many a cool band has recorded there, including Nirvana. And ya know, I'm pretty sure he told me where and for what project, but its such a blur to me now, as I was so concentrated at the time of not being a complete jackoff (made all the more difficult when you show Nels your 'dream wilco setlist').

My friends and I were all shut out for the Saturday show -- I have two out of town friends who can't go to any other dates and are dying to go (but can't swing the crazy ebay prices). Willing to pay over face, just not 4x over face. I live in Chicago for a possible exchange.

Anyone than can help out this huge Wilco fan will receive good karma for life! (plus I'll wash your car?)

Have a great show --

-Sean

ob811@hotmail.com

Edit: nevermind, got tix for all shows now and I only have to go w/o food for two weeks....not a bad deal.