LittleDrummerBoy

If I'm not mistaken, is this the first time Sunloathe was performed live?

Although Pittsburgh has historically been a preferred place for Wilco to play, I would have to say that a group of pretty passive patrons — not to mention some possible potty problems on Jeff's part — probably played into tonight's performance being the closest to a professional one thus far on the Ode To Joy tour. And in this case, "professional" did not necessarily produce a positive payoff. Picture a relatively perfunctory production...if you please?

 

 

To Jeff's point, those chairs were really comfortable...

This show was awesome! Being my first show since the release of Ode to Joy, it was a treat to hear the newer songs (although my favorite, Everyone Hides, was omitted), and that was by far the best version of Laminated Cat I've ever seen/heard.

Following the previous setlists, I was disappointed when Jeff put on the electric after Hold Me Anyway, as Misunderstood is my 2nd favorite Wilco song - behind Let's Not Get Carried Away (I'm a fan of Glenn, if you couldn't tell), but was ecstatic when they CLOSED with it! 

Thanks for the recap as always!

Certainly sounds interesting. Courtney Barnett is probably my favorite alternative artist besides Wilco, so that would have been really cool to see.

On a secondary note, if I would have gone and submitted a video of me doing a drum cover, I wonder what the chances would have been for me being Wilco’s drummer for a song or two

I would like to apologize for my ignorance, but I'm terribly familiar with "Warmer". I know that it's a sister album, but how do you know the track list?

That was an awesome show! If Wilco or Jeff Tweedy is within 4 hours of Pittsburgh, there’s a decent chance I’ll be there. Regarding the comment about a bunch of people leaving, I was on the aisle, and I had to get up at least half a dozen times to let men out to use the restroom (during songs). However, for my first time seeing Jeff solo, it was an incredible show. I loved hearing Handshake Drugs as well as You and I. I believe you (bbop) sat a couple rows ahead of us in the front left section. Overall, wonderful show.

For anyone wondering where the encores were, this is from Wilco's website:

 

Never noticed that Glenn holds stick in left hand with tip not hitting skins (kind of backwards).  Not sure if this is normal for drummers.

 

 

To my knowledge, Glenn does this to get a duller thud on his snare drum. For example, in "Laminated Cat", and "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart", he hits the drum with the back of his stick for a different sound. 

I love that they are bringing back some songs from Sky Blue Sky, which is my personal favorite album

With that message delivered, it was on with the rest of the show. And what an enjoyable show it was, especially thanks to the person whom Jeff accused of stuffing the proverbial ballot box by requesting Summerteeth deep cut When You Wake Up Feeling Old 33 times through the band's Web site. "Somebody amongst you gamed the system," Jeff mock scolded. "Let me see the 33 (people who voted for this)."

 

 

I'm surprised Jeff did not make a similar comment when I fervently requested Let's Not Get Carried Away so many times. Needless to say, I do feel bad as after I did this, Wilco took down the "request a song" button for nearly a year...

What a show! This was personally in my top three favorite shows that I've been to out of eight. The overall energy and atmosphere from both the crowd and the band was wonderful. 

Stage AE is always a wonderful venue, especially in the summer. It reminded me of Lifestyle Communities Pavilion - the venue they played in Columbus a few years back. This was my first show after the release of Schmilco, and the "fauxliage" backdrop is beautiful. 

Jeff was particularly chatty tonight, and the banter was hilarious. Towards the beginning he thanked the audience for coming to see them even though they had a lot of entertainment options. (There was a Pirate's game, as well as a Penguins Stanley Cup game.) He said he appreciates our patronage, and that he hoped all our sports teams won. 

Later, he stated that he loves Pittsburgh. After he said this, he mentioned that the band doesn't pander, and that they don't ever say anything just to make people happy. He later chimed in that he's told audiences that their city sucks. 

Another banter highlight was when he pointed to a young girl in the front row and mentioned that she was the youngest in the crowd. (My guess is that she was around 8-10 years old). He told her to tell her friends, because they need younger fans since the band's core audience is dying. After some laughter from the audience, he said, "Well not you all of course." After a pause he stated, "Yeah that's going to come back and bite us." Jeff then stated before Box Full of Letters that this was a song from their first album, and he looked at the girl and chuckled as he said that for her it would be educational. 

Before Heavy Metal Drummer he said that he likes Pittsburgh because it reminds him of St. Louis, saying that both cities are on a river. Jeff mentioned that this song could also describe Pittsburgh, so it reminded him of St. Louis. (He was referring to the lyric, "A double kick drum by the river in the summer")

Like the previous show, he kept political rants to a minimum. He did give a speech that we all have to be nice and care for another. He said that we get a sense of this when we're all together in a place like this. He also stated, "We have to be better than whatever that is, but I'm not mentioning any names." (I have an inkling he was referring to Trump however.) 

After the next song, he said, "The next climate agreement should be called the Pittsburgh Climate Agreement. Let's see someone try to take a s*** on that." He then looked at the young girl in the front and said, "Pardon my French. See this is why we don't have any younger fans!"

I really there is a Roadcase of this show due to the fact that the setlist was fantastic, but also because the banter was the best I've ever heard. 

In terms of the setlist, I thought it was wonderful. I was surprised that they didn't play We Aren't the World (Safety Girl). I wonder if this is the first show they haven't played it since Schmilco came out. I was definitely disappointed since it's one of my favorites off the album. 

If I missed anything, I'm sure someone will chime in. I didn't get to see a printed setlist, so I'm not sure if there were any changes. 

Ashes of American Flags
Normal American Kids
If I Ever Was a Child
Cry All Day
Company in My Back
I Am Trying to Break Your Heart>
Art of Almost
Pickled Ginger
Sunken Treasure (Jeff on acoustic, no harmonica)
Someone to Lose
I'm Always in Love
Via Chicago
Impossible Germany
Jesus Etc.
Box Full of Letters
Theologians
Heavy Metal Drummer>
I'm the Man Who Loves You
Hummingbird
The Late Greats
--------------
Locator
Random Name Generator
Spiders (Kidsmoke) (Electric Arrangement)
I'm A Wheel
-------------
Monday>
Outtasite (Outta Mind)

It was general admission, and we were first in line, so I was able to hear the soundcheck. In case anyone is wondering, these were the songs played in the soundcheck.

Nope

Happiness

I'm Always in Love

Sunken Treasure

Hate it Here

I was able to get a glimpse of the band through a part in the fence where the tarp wasn't covering it. I really enjoyed the songs played, and I was hoping they'd play Happiness during the show because I'd requested it for my father. Granted, the setlist was still amazing. 

After the show, one of the roadies gave me the pair of drumsticks Glenn used during the show! I have a feeling it was because one of the band members saw me "Air drumming" along to a few of the songs. I actually have the same pair (it's the pair he designed for Promark), but it was incredible to have the sticks he played with. 

Thanks for the recap!

If someone could please confirm a few things. First of all, did Glenn do his mini drum solo at the beginning of misunderstood? Second of all, was everything generally quieter and more laid back from previous shows?

Found someone on YouTube who recorded "If I ever was a Child" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-ulXte0PLU

It's quite upsetting to me that the recent set lists from the last couple tours were very cookie cutter. I like to see some variation in Wilco's sets.

It will certainly be interesting to see what happens to the setlists the closer to and after the Schmilco release. I have a feeling More... Random Name Generator, Cold Slope, and King of You will be the only Star Wars songs they continue to play. Thank you for posting this.

Actually, Wilco just put a single on their homepage called, "Locator", as well as what could be a new album cover. Yay!

Are you asking me? If so, I say yes. Just to make you happy...

Thank you, but is there any leaks or hints towards a new album?

Do you think Wilco will release or announce another album soon? And why?

Thanks for the reportage! Glad you guys had fun (and got to see another of the, ahem, illustrious bands to precede Wilco at festivals over the years).

 

Out of curiosity, did Jeff say "hvala" or just boring old "thanks?" I remember when the band played in Zagreb previously that someone came out shortly before the band took the stage and hand wrote "hvala" on Jeff's setlist...haha.

Are you not traveling to Wilco's shows anymore? Also, were you at the Philly show?

Me last week: this whole "play the entire Star Wars album" is getting a little old

 

Me this week: they're not playing "You Satellite," "Taste the Ceiling," and "Magnetized"?!

Yeah, I was pretty ticked they didn't play those three songs, considering I like them much more than "The Joke Explained", and "Pickled Ginger", and looking at the previous show's set list, I predicted every song except Michael's requests and the encore.

(8:30 P.M)

EKG played as band walked on

More...

Random Name Generator

The Joke Explained

I Am Trying to Break Your Heart>

Art of Almost

Pickled Ginger

Hummingbird

Handshake Drugs

Where Do I Begin

Cold Slope>

King of You

Via Chicago

(Crowd sings Happy Birthday to Michael)

Laminated Cat (aka Not for the Season, electric arrangement, Michael's request)

Company in my Back (also Michael's request)

Box Full of Letters

Heavy Metal Drummer>

I'm the Man Who Loves You

Dawned on Me

Impossible Germany (started and restarted due to Nels starting in the wrong key)

Late Greats

California Stars w Richard Thompson

Red Eyed and Blue>

I Got You>

Outta Site Outta Mind

*****************

Spiders(Kidsmoke) electric arrangement

I'm a Wheel

**********

Misunderstood

Give Back the Key to my Heart

War on War

I'm Always in Love

Jesus, etc.

Shot in the Arm

(10:56 P.M)

(32 songs)

(Second encore performed Hootenanny style)

Based off of memory, nearly identical to night before minus encore and michael's request.

I was a bit disappointed that this happened. Wilco hasn't played Pittsburgh in six years, and the time they finally come in my favorite Pittsburgh venue I'm out of town. It's a shame not to be able to see them in my hometown, but I am blessed to be able to go on vacation. If I was there, there might have been a decent chance of Let's Not Get Carried Away.

Wilco hasn't played Pittsburgh in six years, and the time they finally come in my favorite Pittsburgh venue I'm out of town. It's a shame not to be able to see them in my hometown, but I am blessed to be able to go on vacation. If I was there, there might have been a decent chance of Let's Not Get Carried Away

Can any kind soul steer me to an audio recording of this show? I have seen the Youtube videos. I was there and don't recall seeing anyone recording but hope springs eternal. Thanks.

Sorry, I don't know of anyone having an audio recording apart from the YouTube videos