sinko25

Anyone else only get MP3s from SendOwl from their super deluxe vinyl order?

I probably missed the fact that they're only MP3s when I preordered ... guess I should have gone the Bandcamp route.

I will say this is the first vinyl preorder I can remember where it actually got to me on release day. I've been primed to expect 6 month delays so that was nice.

Haven't had a chance to go through it yet but looking forward to it later tonight.

I like Meadowbrook based primarily on its proximity to me (easy hour drive) and the fact that it's not in Boston or Mansfield. The sound is also usually quite good if you're in the original part of the shed, but suffers in the addition and the lawn.

Other than the 3 up front sections there were seas of empty seats. Worked out well for me as I was in section 2A surrounded by empty rows and had clear sightlines sitting or standing - plus the seats were a steal when I bought them ($30, all in - went back up to $80-100 + fees in the days leading up to the show) but I don't think they'll be back there anytime soon.

That said, they certainly put on an energetic performance for the energetic audience that showed up. Cruel Country, like Ode To Joy, and to a lesser extent Schmilco haven't been standouts for me but there are always some songs that really come alive when performed. The "Many Worlds" coda was the star in that respect. I was also thrilled to get to see Spiders again after a long hiatus. That's the one song that still evolves in subtle ways every time I see it live.

Got a kick out of Jeff jokingly saying he'd like a 'happy birthday' from each member of the audience individually and regretting that as the night went on. You made your bed, buddy

One note about the sound - while the instruments all cut across pretty well, did Jeff's mic sound odd to anyone else? My friend described it as sounding like a low bitrate MP3. Muffled and lifeless with no high-end, very strange. Once my ears adjusted I didn't notice it too much but it really threw me off for the first few songs.

4 hours ago, Jack1956 said:

The big 11lp box now only $146 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09Y9JBNTN?tag=shtv-20

 

Jeez, that kinda stinks for those of us who pre ordered at full price. 

It's a tricky thing. I'd love a complete left turn album, something that a new outside producer might introduce, but at this stage in their career it runs the risk of seeming very forced.

Not that Wilco would ever do something like this, but has anyone heard any of those newer Coldplay songs produced and co-written by Max Martin? It's embarrassing.

not to be a setlist guy, but the return of Spiders makes me very hopeful for NH.

just one of those songs I always want to hear that I've missed sorely at the last 4 or 5 shows I've seen. I think the last time I saw it was Solid Sound in '17.

I pulled the trigger pretty quick on this one. I got a digital download of the album proper and Reservations Live sent right away, am I understanding correctly that I'll get a digital download of the whole set come release time?

On 4/16/2022 at 4:11 AM, bböp said:

 

This is sort of the problem with the "album in its entirety" show, right? How to build a live show around it, while also trying to keep the focus on the centerpiece of what you're trying to celebrate and present and also satisfy a sizable audience that has paid a good sum of money for a ticket (and/or traveled from afar). I almost feel like it is a no-win situation for Jeff and Co., because if you come out and play a separate set of "greatest hits," then it's sort of diluting the focus on YHF and the desire to celebrate that set of songs as a singular artistic statement but if you don't do enough other material, then people feel as if they haven't gotten their money's worth. So ultimately, I'll say that I get why some people probably were left wanting a bit more, but personally I tried to just concentrate on the album, the memories it stirred in me and the work put in by the band to re-learn the songs the way they were recorded.

I get what you're saying here, but at the same time, bands have been doing this kind of thing for a while now; I've seen half dozen or so do it and if the album performance takes up less than a standard length  show, additional songs are added. Wilco did it themselves at Solid Sound '17, performing Being There and encoring with all of YHF (which was one of the coolest things I've seen a band do).

Which brings me to my next point - WIlco are one of the more generous bands when it comes to show length and working hard to appease all types of fans. I don't think folks expressing disappointment about the length of the show were entitled -- I certainly would have been a little disapointed -- but we are probably on the whole a bit spoiled.

Lots of folks arguing on Facebook that this is what the band advertised. I wasn’t there, but I definitely wouldn’t have expected a festival-length set. Hope it’s nothing serious. 

On 1/7/2022 at 8:04 AM, Bart said:

Did you guys see the Tweedy Show last night (stupid question!).  Jeff seemed as confused and upset/helpless as all the folks with tickets.  He also made it clear that Wilco is contracted performer just like they would be if they played any other show in Boston or Phoenix or any other place.

 

I didn't see this so maybe I'm missing some context. I respect the fact that they're not able to unilaterally issue refunds to folks, but presumably with their name on the festival they have some pull in that respect, right? I'm sure there's plenty going on behind the scenes, just curious about this point.

What a depressing situation. Hope all of the folks here with covid or covid symptoms are resting up and getting well.

I had the thought about whether or not to attend Solid Sound this year ... I'm planning on it, and my logic was "we'll probably be between spikes/variants at that point..." what a depressing thought.

1 hour ago, bböp said:

 

I noticed during S-K's set that there oddly weren't any photographers and actually, now that I think of it, I don't really remember any during Wilco's set either. Why? Has that been an issue there in the past?

I was too far back to see anything, but it appears there was at least one photographer in the pit last night ...

https://www.facebook.com/events/203844190852157?post_id=541359660433940&view=permalink

3 hours ago, Sun Caught Fire said:

No break for a happy birthday rendering? Glad i was able to catch On and On and On early in the tour as it seems to be gone.

There was! Right before RNG I think - it bubbled up from the crowd and the band had a false start before someone cut it off and allowed the audience to continue.

Looking forward to your writeup of the show, bbop. I had a good time, band sounded great, Jeff and company seemed to be in good spirits. I've seen a dozen or so Wilco sets, most at Solid Sound, and I'd rank this towards the bottom. That's not to say it was bad, or that I didn't enjoy myself, just that I'm used to getting almost everything I want and being surprised at things like new arrangements/variations on tunes etc, and there was nothing new or surprising here, and I would have swapped out maybe half the setlist if it were up to me. The setlist didn't really lend itself to many noisy-chaos-stopping-on-a-dime moments; those were what grabbed me the first time I saw them live and kept me going. Went with some first timers some of whom I've been hyping up live Wilco to for years and I think they were a little underwhelmed.

Also, was something up with the drum mix? Sounded very muffled at times. I wonder if they had to keep things a hair quieter than they normally would due to city restrictions or something; I know Thompson's Point has a hard 10PM curfew.

Dig the venue overall though, easy in, fairly easy out (although we got a headstart walking out during Outtasite). Vax check was a breeze and no TSA-lite security, no one wasting time carding my clearly 30+ year old self.  Night and day from the (non-Wilco) LiveNation show I saw the night before.

14 minutes ago, js0004 said:

...and the beer is really reasonably priced. 

and the security is so laid back and friendly, and there's a place you can smoke without leaving the venue, and you can get back in easily!

Not surprised you didn't love the sound. I think it's the worst sounding venue in the area, which is a shame, because it's a nice size/location and the alternative for many bands is Mansfield.

22 hours ago, jocko said:

 

I have an, ahem, special birthday in 2022 so had been considering travelling from the UK to Solid Sound to celebrate. 

 

Obviously I don't know the area well at all. It sounds like accommodation is going to be a problem. What do folks normally do? Is public transport to outlying areas an option even? 

 

I rang the campsite even but the staff there seemed unclear on when they would allow bookings.

 

If anyone had tips or advice that would be greatly appreciated before I invest in transatlantic plane tickets! 

I was able to get Ubers to get to and from the venue in 2019, but sometimes 'just barely.'

Wouldn't the PA be trucked around to each venue by Wilco? I thought that was the standard practice for touring, but I could be wrong.

56 minutes ago, Rusty Shackleford said:

Yes, Merriweather is one of the few shed-type venues not owned by LiveNation, and has wisely (IMHO) avoided diluting the brand with sponsorships.  IMP does a great job with all their venues.

The northeast is rotten with Xfinity/Verizon/Bank of America/TD Bank/Dunkin Donuts etc amphitheaters/arenas, it's kind of depressing to look back at some of the major shows i've seen and remember that Comcast was tangentially involved.

It's nice that Wilco generally does mid size theaters in that sense. Rooms with real history.

21 hours ago, TCP said:

FWIW, and this is obviously anecdotal, but I was confused a few weeks ago when Vince mentioned to me Wilco playing Merriweather Post Pavilion. I just know that name as an Animal Collective album. As a foreigner from a distant land, who's into music, I feel like if someone like me is aware of a venue then that's probably a good indication of it's "legendary" status, like the Hollywood Bowl, Red Rocks, First Ave, etc. But maybe in this situation that's just on me. 

Anyways, appreciate the recap as always bbop!

In the US most of the 10k+ seat amphitheaters are similar looking "sheds," nearly all owned by Live Nation and named for corporate sponsors that buy naming rights for a set number of years, leading to many of them changing names every few years. The Boston venue Wilco is playing has been named after like 6 different banks in the last decade; there's also a place in Tampa that was called The 1-800-ASK-GARY Ampethetre for a couple years. I don't have data to back this up but I think the majority were constructed during or after the 90s (or existed before the 90s, but became "sheds" with the big roofs, lawn and capacity during that time frame). So it's rare to come across one that has a history that dates back to the 60s; I think that's partially what sets Merriweather apart. But I think it's also the Animal Collective album.

On 8/17/2021 at 6:19 PM, Bart said:

I like they songs they're playing, but has their setlist ever been this static?

 

Other than the first night of the tour, the sets have been identical, and even the first night was nearly identical to the rest.  I know I sound like a ungrateful jerk, especially after more than a year of no concerts but it's just surprising.  I would think they'd get bored out of their heads.  

 

I'm still super psyched for Merriweather but kind of scratching my head.

They were fairly static during the Ode to Joy tour, but there were some slots that were regularly changed up. Longer shows meant they had a little more wiggle room there too. I haven't kept up with every tour over the last several years but this may be one of the most "set in stone" setlists.

I'm only able to catch one show, so it doesn't bother me much, except that because I couldn't exercise any self control I now know for sure that a few of my favorites won't get played.

There's a quote somewhere from Jeff where he says he actually prefers a pretty static setlist, something about being more able to get into the flow when it's almost the same show every night.

On 7/28/2021 at 9:24 PM, tinnitus photography said:

my airbnb canceled on me already and it's memorial day weekend so i might just say fuck it and shoot Boston Calling instead. 

ugh. finding a place to stay is by far the worst part of the festival. 

I hear that. Struck out for Air BNB's the day the festival was announced. I'm sure more places will pop up. but the festival + holiday weekend means they are not gonna be cheap ....

Ended up booking some rooms at the best western in Bennington as a fallback and they were almost filled up.

I'm sure I'll enjoy Portland ME next week, but I share a little disappointment with the setlist. I want Spiders, dammit! Didn't get it at Solid Sound or on the Boston Ode to Joy show that followed.

I always want to see Handshake Drugs and Via Chicago too ... but perhaps those of you who see more than one or two shows a year feel differently.

90 minutes though, and they've gotta hit the YHF "hits" to keep people happy, so what can ya do.

With the CDC's new mask guidance for vaccinated people, feels pretty likely the majority of the shows will go on as planned.

I feel like it's pretty likely most states will lift their restrictions by then, at least for outdoor shows. The fact that other, bigger acts (Phish, DMB) are doing late-summer, non-bubble show tours bodes pretty well.

what's up with the sound quality in the more recent (~5 years) roadcases? granted I'm not going through all of them ... but going between 2012-7-23 and the most recent Solid Sound ... the latter sounds completely lifeless and muffled, drums especially .... but 2012 sounds great.