Bosco

Nice show last night, New Haven shows are always special to me because that's where I was first introduced to Jeff when I saw him with that other band open for The Replacements a few blocks from this theater almost exactly 25 years ago!  I can't believe how time flies.

Got right in two GA both nights at the Cap!

Really? Do tell! I'm not familiar with this story.

It's not that they didn't PLAY songs from WTA it's that they had stopped putting them on the Roadcase releases for a while.

Kings Theatre has shows that are GA and some that are assigned, are the Wilco shows GA or not?

I got two Row C (that's third!) center section for Burlington. I was, of course, thrilled.  

 

My wife's first comment was "Do you think that's too close?" #marriagecounselingplease.

Actually I do think that's too close so that's not that crazy of a thought, I prefer to be back more to where the sound comes together, maybe that's the old soundman in me.

even trying for Radiohead tickets a few years ago didn't crash the site, i just couldn't select any seats. this is terrible.

I seem to recall the site crashing, not being able to change the amount of tickets, tickets disappearing from the cart, getting seats not even next to each other and all other hassles with the Radiohead presale, that was the worst presale ever.

On a Wilco related note I did score two for New Haven, I would have tried for other shows but finances don't allow that.

Interestingly enough, while I thought the performances for both the recent Roadcase shows were great, I thought the sound, while not awful by any means, wasn't that great as well.

 

I have to say that I think I really prefer the audio files floating around from the Pitchfork Fest better than the Seattle/Redmond show. I'm curious to hear from any other folks that have both, as to which they prefer the Pitchfork live show or the recent electric show Roadcase?

The sound quality of both of the new releases is kinda lacking, to much audience mix, there is a screamer in the Seattle show that makes it almost un-listenable.  The San Francisco show is lacking mostly because of the way they amplify the acoustic shows, I just can't figure out why they want it to sound like that, it's just not enjoyable to not hear what's on stage, you can close mic the instruments (and vocals god damnit!) and still create the openness and space they are trying to create.

Give Back the Keys to the Secrets of My Kamera

I got a text that said, "Wilco is a drag." Another good friend thought it was horrible. A few other friends said that there were some "cool moments." So yeah, whatever...more for me. I left my friends in VIP. And I spent the Wilco part of the show alone. I was about 20 rows away in the center. I had tons of room to dance so that was great and nobody "bad vibed" me about dancing so that was fantastic. I'm used to being alone at Wilco so no biggie. Some people near me knew Wilco but most didn't know any Star Wars. People near me seemed 1/2 tuned in. Some people ran from the front from EKG through More. The best part for me was seeing how happy (John, Pat and Glenn) were to be playing with Warren. That was beautiful. Guess I'll have to go every Julie Wilco show now. I can't break the pattern. I couldn't come back to you guys, it was too dark; uneven surfaces and it's disorienting. Love you both.

Sounds like we ended up right near each other anyway cause that's where we were, did you hear the idiot screaming 'Bobby and the Midnights!' between each song?

They all looked so happy with Warren, I was looking all over the stage to see who was playing violin! 

I'm still hoping for a Maine trip soon...

Bosco, sounds similar to what I experienced/observed at Lockn', which draws from a similar audience as Vibes.  Only at Lockn' (where Wilco performed not once but twice), Peter Shapiro didn't come on stage and ask if Wilco should come back.  They're not back this year, to my great disappointment. 

I was at Lockin', from where I was, on the rail behind VIP, the people seemed into it, maybe not enthusiastic, but both days the crowd started to build up there before the sets as if they were waiting for Wilco.  Wilco are not a Jam band and in that circle that's a bad thing, it's unfortunate that the kids today think that way but they do.

I'm not sure Wilco not being at Lockin' this year means anything more then Wilco probably not wanting to do the same festivals every year, this year was not the first year they were asked to play the Vibes for instance and Shapiro did have them play three nights at the Capitol after Lockin'.

As far as crowd reception goes I started the Wilco set in the taping section, I was in the front row there and from the tapers around me no one was looking forward to the set, I only stayed for the first song making sure my levels were good, no one seemed into it, but tapers are more focused on the recording during the first song so I'll give them a pass.  I went back to my girlfriend and some other friends after that, kinda near the tapers, the crowd was completely not into it, some looked totally bored.  After Satellite my gf wanted to go up front, it was just her second Wilco experience (Solid Sound being the first) and her first Vibes (I go every year, it's put on by my friends afterall), I'm not an up front person, it gets crazy up there, but we went, the crowd up there was great, they were clearly into it and most were singing, clearly this is where the Wilco fans were.  So from three locations I'd have to say a very mixed reception to the new songs, I was up front for the classics and everyone loved it.  I walked around after the set and I bumped into some friends at various locations none of which were Wilco fans and the phrase I heard most was 'I get it now'.  The announcer after their set said something along the lines of 'i don't know if you're religious or believe in god, but that was special', I'll get the full quote from the recording later, but he was clearly into it asking the crowd several times if they thought Wilco should come back.

Just looked up the schedule, so Mac DeMarco is on the Red stage, Wilco is on the Green, so the stream playing Panda Bear who are also on the Green should probably be the right one, Channel 1?

My Apple TV's YouTube channel is all set to Pitchfork's streaming. I'm watching Mac DeMarco now. This sound is amazing! Can't wait. 

I see two channels for Pitchfork, both say 'live', which channel will Wilco be on?

This is so awesome, my girlfriend and her kids move in this weekend, and then this comes out to make things so much better (as if that was possible), and this is anything but 'safe', first song sounded very King Crimson like.  Trying not to get too excited because this is my kinda music, so I'm waiting for the punchline.

Do sound engineers who like to play guitar and drums count as musicians?

Here's the response from Kung Fu regarding my trouble trying to "establish a secure connection". I must be crazy, but I had no issue on January 1st of this year when I bought several of the Chicago Winterlude shows. Is anyone else having issues with Safari & Kung Fu?

I downloaded the Acoustic show with Safari on my Mac with no problem.

A guy named Billy Sherwood was already lined up to do the tour. I think I read somewhere he was asked by Chris to do the tour - as he knew he could not make it.

Billy Sherwood and Chris go back a ways, Billy has been in Yes before, I think he's even produced an album or two for them.

Sunday might be difficult with all those guests and all, but that would be awesome!  Makes me wonder why I lug around all that taping equipment, I wish they'd announce ahead of time if the show will be on Roadcase.

As I understand it, the organizers for Pilgrimage are encouraging performers to do at least part of their set acoustically, but its not being positioned as an all acoustic festival.

Got it, thanks.

It was definitely an experiment. I don't think they would ever attempt it again, at least not for a while. Like they said, out of all the places to try an all acoustic set, this would be the one.

Why did I think the Pilgrimage Festival was all acoustic also?

Mine sounds pretty good, it sounds like you think it would sound like, just picture 30 songs that sound like the last 4 songs from the Port Chester and Chicago shows.  I like the acoustic stuff, it's fun to hear them play songs in a different way however I'm just not into the mix.  Having musicians and singers standing 6 feet away from the microphone doesn't translate to large crowds, it's just not possible to make it loud enough.  I guess it's more 'authentic' whatever that means, but by not close micing and/or using pickups you are doing a disservice to the music being played, the musicians and the audience.  How much nicer would it have been if you could actually hear the piano when Mikael was playing it, they could have played all the same instruments and actually be heard doing it and it would have been much more pleasurable.  I honestly believe the problem with the crowd on Friday night was they became disinterested in the music and more interested in the party, when they couldn't hear the music being played the music became secondary, more of a background thing. 

This of course is all my opinion, but I was a live music audio engineer for over 20 years and have mixed for crowds larger then Solid Sound so I'd like to think I know something about what I'm talking about here.  For reference I was dead center and about 3/4 of the way back between the stage and the sound board, basically the sweet spot for sound.

Had some really loud drunks behind me on Friday and I would have moved but I was trying to protect my friend's tape deck (people tripping, pushing through and spilling).  Also was trying to stay reasonably close to my daughter age 17, who was about 10 feet away in front of the board with my buddies 3 boys who were a little younger 12-17 (but they are veterans).

 

People behind me weren't just drunk, they liked Molly & they sang to every song but changed the words with a Molly reference. It still didn't ruin anything for me. I'm sure I've been obnoxious at some point to someone at a show. 

 

I did see a few unhappy kids over the 3 days but I saw a lot more happy, well cared for kids. And I saw a lot of unhappy couples.  Pot smoke never bothers me. In fact, I love the smell and makes me feel comfortable at a show. I have not smoked anything in 17 years. No butts or cigars detected anywhere near me at SS. 

 

I think everyone should just stop being assholes. If someone is hanging out in a space it's their space. And if you can be nice to somebody or help someone, then you should.  I loved Saturday & Sunday. (:

Thanks for all your help.  I'm amazed, I've listed to that show a few times now and I can't hear a single Molly reference!  Also thanks for bringing Joey upfront on Sunday, that's an experience I'm sure he'll never forget, and one he wouldn't have gotten with me, even when not taping I just don't like it up there.

From Facebook:

 

We regret to announce that due to US State Dept. Visa issues, King Sunny Ade must cancel his performance at the Solid Sound Festival this Sunday (as well as numerous other US dates).

 

Download the revised three-day schedule here:http://bit.ly/Schedule_SSF15

 

With the Taj Mahal cancelation, that's two of my must-sees down the drain.

My feeling exactly, outside of Wilco those were my next two must see acts.  I've seen Taj a few times, I've never seen King Sunny Ade.

Vimeo is like an artsy version of YouTube. Most content is free. I guess you'd just have to make an account so you can buy it.

Cool, thanks!

I access Vimeo via my Apple TV box, not sure how I download, but I'll stream it if i have to

I have an Apple TV and it has Vimeo too, is this something I have to subscribe to just so I can pay for a video?