u2roolz

I was at a nice ball park in Lowell, MA on Saturday night and I heard Wilco being played for about an hour and a half.

Quite odd.

Jeff said "Come here often?" to the crowd.

Yeah, you're right.

A few more thoughts popped into my head.

1. I hope no one came down with the cold or pneumonia from being drenched.

2. If you bought merchandise, I hope you can still tell what it is that you bought and it isn't soaked to shreds.

Yeah, I also found those youtube videos last night. Awesome. The closeup video of Jeff letting those two little kids play guitar is amazing. Those kids will grow up to be rock stars.

Kristofor

Ok, I'm ready to add some more thoughts.

I thought the highlight for me was seeing a 2 year old (? maybe 3 ?) getting his groove on during You Are My Face's tempo shift. It transcended everything.

Paraphrasing here: Jeff acknowledges the bleachers and we bang on the floor and seats. Jeff says something like "wow..that sounds like Fred Flinstone starting his car." Or something to that effect. LOL.

Paraphrasing here too: I think Jeff said something like "well hello there?.." crowd laughs...Jeff replied with "I'm trying to pick you all up"

Getting down to the venue for 2pm was cool and so was heading right back home. I saw Nels on the phone next to the tour bus, so I waved and he waved back. I got to see Paul (Bbop) and talk to him for a bit. A little birdy told me Tweedy had just gone for a jog around Lowell which turned into a respectful "running" joke amongst my friends. As we were leaving my drunk friend Phil (who got converted in 2007 at Bank of America Pavillion than officially signed up for life at 08's Tanglewood) was yelling "Hey Tweedy!!! Stay off the fucking road!!!" at the top of his lungs. It was funny but definitely scary if you had no idea what he was joking about. I wish I ran into Tweedy to tell him to avoid certain streets in Lowell on his run. That's where the humor came from. We were worried that he took the wrong road in Lowell and something happened. In fact, the projects are across the street from UMass Lowell and LeLacheur Park. And the awesomeness of possibly surprisingly seeing him jogging in Lowell would have been fantastic. I respect the fact that he takes care of himself. It's tough enough for me to get to the gym.

I also got to run into MeDave at the show. Nice to see him again.

I unfortunately had to take a piss break during the beginning of Impossible Germany, but the silver lining to the dark cloud was that when I came out I got to see the whole guitar solo segment from every walking point in the park. There wasn't really a bad place to sit and/or stand there.

So who set off the fireworks during Via Chicago? It looked like they were really off in the distance. And a bit tough to see. They were in the foul pole section of left field.

Spiders took me off guard. It was strange to hear it not preceded by something. It just kind of started. I'm sure if Misunderstood was on that setlist that was snagged it would have been mentioned here. At the time I felt like something was cut.

The most surprising thing that also made me very happy was the huge turnout. There were more people in the bleachers than on the field. That being said I feel that the people of Lowell and people who had never seen Wilco before missed the complete concert experience due to the rain shortened encores. I also think that the next time they hit up the area we'll be taken care of. I hope so.

Overall, my memory will be weighted by the fact that Wilco reunited a group of friends and acquaintances from 2007's Bank of America Pavillion show. 2 years later we were back seeing a band we all love in a place we call home and loving every minute of it.

Kristofor

PS It was my first time hearing Nothing'severgonnastandinmyway (Again). Amazing! I also welcomed back At Least That's What You Said, Side With The Seeds, and Via Chicago which I missed at the Neil Young Worcester show due to traffic. Speaking of which that opening set (Neil) made we want Wilco even more. But now I think having seen them (Lowell) in the way that it all turned out really made me want more. Is the Portland, Maine venue really an abandoned warehouse? That's my only option to see them again until the fall.

F*CK!!! Also, I read they did Too Far Apart. When was the soundcheck? Around 4?

I went down to the Park at 2 for a half hour or so. Only 15 minute drive.

I also missed Jeff jogging too.

I'll post this later in the Lowell thread.

I think they'll play those songs along with other classics on a Fall tour.

Much like Misunderstood is being played this time around. It will probably be left off in the fall or whenever and something like Sunken Treasure will take its place.

We'll see,

Kristofor

Luckily, I had a 15 minute drive from the Park. Completely soaked...even with a very smart idea: A Poncho.

Amazing setlist and they were just on. Every new song killed. Saw Paul earlier in the day and I told him I wanted to hear Deeper Down and we both thought it wouldn't be played due to a big outdoor show.

I'll post more later. A big bummer considering what's been played for 1st and 2nd encores nowadays.

The lightning bolt and fireworks during Via Chicago was a highlight.

I sat directly behind home plate. It was weird with the screen to look through. It felt like watching them on a movie screen. They were a bit far away, but I preferred to sit and take in the music. The place was pretty packed too.

Kristofor

Hot shower time....my "commemorative ticket" is completely soaked.

Just tell them...................Large Marge sent ya!!!!

Wow!

A Setlist Party!!

Hmm...interesting that they came out at 9. I was expecting 8 for the ball park shows. But I was kind of in the right ball park.

Show Me The Way:

Ok, here's some extra info for folks coming out of town. I know that we have GPS but they don't speak of landmarks. At least not that I know of

They show you how to come 495/3 on the Official Site, so I'll give you the other couple of ways.

93 North or South: Exit 46. It's a rotary in Methuen and from here you can either go 110 (left) or 113 (right). Maybe a 10-15 minute drive both routes.

110 - Stay on 110 until you hit an overpass. Than you can take a left at the bridge (Bridge St) if Heroes (costume store?) and Dunkin Donuts are on your right. Take your first right to find the John St/(next to Lowell High School) Garage on your left side and/or stay on that road to go by Tsongas Arena on your right and park there or keep going (you can see Wannalancit Mills on your right/US Post Office/Lowell Beer Works) until you can take a right to go to LaLacheur Park.

(Option B ) : Stay on 110. Keep straight (no left turn here) and go pass the Heroes and Dunkins on your right. This (110) turns into VFW Highway. You'll see red mills and the river on your left. Take a left onto Aiken St (Red Bridge) where the Park will be on your right. I'm not sure how tough it would be to get to Tsongas and John St Garage from this route. You may get caught up here to park directly at the Park.

113- Stay on 113 until you hit UMass Lowell on your left and Dunkin Donuts on your right. Take this left at the lights (University Ave). Stay straight and cross a bridge (falls on both sides). Eagle Den/diner will be to your right. Take a left here (Pawtucket St) and the Park will be on your 1st left. Also, if you stay on this road you can find the other 2 parking garages I listed. Tsongas Arena will be on your left a half mile down the road and across from that you'll find the John St Garage.

Jimthedrummer,

Mickey's Pub & Grill is definitely a long walk from LeLacheur Park. It's on Central St.

If you're coming from the park head down Market St which has the Athenian Corner, Dubliner, Blue Shamrock on your left. Than at the lights stay in your right lane, you should pass by this place called Centro on your right.

Take a right there onto Central St. and Mickey's should be on the right side of the street. There should be a parking garage (Leo Roy directly across from Blue Shamrock) before you take your right onto Central. It's like a 5 minute walk from there. And it's not very far driving to the Park. If you stay on Central you can hit the Lowell Connector and have access to 495 or 3.

Should I post alternate routes on here for people coming in? I guess I should. Lowell really is easily accessible via 495, 93, and 3. I'll come back and try to give you guys some hot stock tips on where to go to avoid show traffic, if there's any.

Kristofor

Starry Eyed Squirrel,

I'm living in Hudson, NH. I'll be at the show. Though I don't know if I'd be able to meet up before the show since I'm going with 4 friends. Not sure what they want to do.

I'll let you know,

Kristofor

I still think the 10-19-06 show in D.C. at the 930 Club holds the "official" record for most Nothings.

I just tried counting them and I lost track at about 70. Edit: It's 75 Nothings. In fact, from 4:17-5:56 that's all there is.

Unfortunately, I can't find old reviews of the show on here for an accurate count.

Kristofor

PS Maybe at the Minor League Ballpark shows we can put up Nothing signs like they do for pitchers and strikeouts/Ks.

Edit 2: Here's the link to listen in on what could be the Cooperstown definitive version of this song. There has to be a show where Jeff hit 80.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/qmpghl

Yeah, I noticed this as well. I still come here or to Wilcobase for setlists.

I wonder if it's the actual setlists with songs not played or the actual setlist (?! ) of what was played.

Yes, it is his 3rd film that he's directed. The marketing people at Sony Pictures wants everyone in America to know that. LOL. It's advertised that way as if to say "for all those people that we duped into thinking that he directed everything that we slapped his name on since 2005 than Ooops we lied to make money." Although those movies produced and sometimes co-written by him like Superbad and Pineapple Express were usually marketed as "FROM" Judd Apatow. But in actuality (as I'm sure mostly everyone knows) Greg Mottola and David Gordon Green directed the 2 films I listed. (End of Unnecessary Public Service Announcement)

Kristofor

PS Maybe Wilco should have had The Album marketed as FROM Judd Apatow

Edit: Quentin Tarantino caused much confusion when they slapped his name on the imported Iron Monkey and Hero. I believe that was a "PRESENTS" title they attached to the movie. It upset the film geek in me when people left Hero and said such things like "WOW!!!! Tarantino is so fucking awesome..he can do anything!!"

http://theplaylist.blogspot.com/2009/05/three-tv-spots-for-judd-apatows-funny.html

1st tv spot has song.

Kristofor

I'll be there. I promised earlier that I'd try to make a list of things for the Lowell show.

Here's my 1st crack. I'll post more specific directions later. I don't drink but still know from going out the "hot" places.

(Let me quote myself from a different thread..if that's ok with everyone? )

Parking/Tailgating:

The parking for Spinners' games is pretty fucked up. Let me explain: the big outdoor parking lot is literally in front of old mills-turned-into-posh-lofts.

The fools set it up so that all these people park right in front of where those people live.

So I'm not sure if they'd let you hang around to tailgate, especially since they want you to buy beer indoors. I haven't seen much tailgating at a Spinners game, since they're only a minor league ball club. Mostly, their games are a nice night out for families.

The other big parking lot is a multilevel parking garage adjacent to the park. Not the most fun place to tailgate.

And next to that is the UMass Lowell Gym (if it was a few years ago maybe Wilco would have played there ) which has a small parking lot. I wonder if that will get roped off because it's ideal to sneak into and set up grills, play catch etc.

For those that want to avoid the parking lots next to LeLacheur, I'd look into the parking garage next to the Tsongas Arena a mile or so down the road. If you park there it may be a 10-15 minute walk. Also, across the street from that garage is another (John St. Garage) this puts you in downtown Lowell and is also a 10-15 minute walk. These are good if you want to be closer to downtown Lowell with more options for bars/food.

Lowell Beer Works/Brewery Exchange is the only place within short walking distance to drink.

Drinks/That's A Tasty Beverage:

If you can make it all the way downtown, I'd try Cobblestones, Old Court, Dubliner, Blue Shamrock.

http://www.cobblestonesoflowell.com/

http://www.menupix.com/lowell/restaurants.php?id=660082#

http://www.menupix.com/lowell/restaurants.php?id=660051

http://www.blueshamrock-gemstones.com/

http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=Downtown+Lowell+Bars&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

It's a bit of a walk but these places may be less busy than the very close Lowell Beer Works which is actually a pretty big place.

Eats/Treats:

Downtown Lowell - Fortunato's, LaBoniche, Cobblestones, Athenian Corner, Bombay Mahal, Mambo Grill, Olive That & More, and Subway (lol).

http://www.fortunatosrestaurant.com/

http://www.laboniche.com/

http://www.atheniancorner.com/

http://www.bombay-mahal.com/

http://www.mamboburrito.com/

http://www.menupix.com/lowell/restaurants.php?id=660016

After The Show:

G & G's Quick Bite is open until 4am. They have everything under the sun to eat. It's about a 10 minute drive from LeLacheur.

http://ggquickbite.com/default.aspx

That's it for now,

Kristofor

PS (RE: Upnorth) The stage for Mighty Mighty Bosstones was in center field. We'll see what happens.

Hey Chooch,

The parking for Spinners' games is pretty fucked up. Let me explain: the big outdoor parking lot is literally in front of old mills-turned-into-posh-lofts.

The fools set it up so that all these people park right in front of where those people live.

So I'm not sure if they'd let you hang around, especially since they want you to buy beer indoors. I haven't seen much tailgating at a Spinners game.

The other big parking lot is a multilevel parking lot adjacent to the park. Not the most fun place to tailgate.

If you can make it all the way downtown, I'd try Cobblestones, Old Court, Dubliner, Blue Shamrock. It's a bit of a walk but may be less busy than the very close Lowell Beer Works which is actually a pretty big place.

Kristofor

Hey Folks,

Not sure if this has been listed on here. I've been away for 10 days.

So I was watching the television and saw an ad for Funny People. I remember reading a script review about how a scene takes place at a Wilco show.

I haven't heard anything since than. So I decided to take a look at a possible soundtrack listing.

There's a live version of Jesus, Etc. (allegedly from Tanglewood August 12, 2008). We'll find out on July 31st, if there's live footage of the band. Though I'd hate for it to be Sandler and Rogen in a crowd and you never see a band.

Kristofor

PS Do you think it will make the song bigger than it already is? I assume with the ads, the song could play a big part in a "memorable song from the movie" type of way a la Tiny Dancer in Almost Famous.

http://www.amazon.com/Funny-People-Original-Soundtrack/dp/B002DY9K5W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1247030620&sr=8-1

Well, I came back from Maine and I was dying to see what was done for opening night.

I'm pretty satisfied.

If anyone finds any live bit torrents let us know. I'll dig later on at Interference. If I find anything I'll post.

Kristofor

Wow!

So I'm labeling this show on my iTunes..(thanks to the tapers on this tour ) and I thought I missed You Are My Face.

Well, shiver me timbers...it wasn't actually played. This must be the first show in a long time where it wasn't played.

Kristofor

PS Seriously, I was like WTF. What happened to YAMF? Nice to see some tunes get a break to make room for stuff like Nothing'severgonnastandinmyway(again) and A Magazine Called Sunset.

Edit: And I just noticed Handshake Drugs was also NOT played. I need to stop looking at these West Coast setlists when I wake up. I don't remember them as well. Well, this show must have been a nice complement to night's 1 & 3.

Sad day.

Take care of yourselves out there,

Kristofor

Yeah, I just saw this on the news. Scary stuff.

I hope he recovers.

Edit: Hmm...odd about the local news reporting such a thing. I don't really know exactly what cardiac arrest is. Time to go to webmd to look.

Hey Folks,

I just got my "commemorative" tickets for Lowell in.

A word of caution: be careful when you get your mail. The envelope the tickets were in were smaller than the normal ticketmaster envelopes and a typical postcard. It almost slipped out of my bundle of mail.

The tickets don't feature any pictures of the band.

But they are blue and have silvery stars on the corners. I'm not sure if that is the Minor League ticket look?

Kristofor

Edit: I forgot to mention that I spoke to someone who works at the Lowell Telecommunication Corporation (local public access channel).

He said that the nearby Chelmsford public access channel was granted access to film portions of the show. And that he was pissed that Lowell dropped the ball, since he's a fan of the band. I guess he's going to try and work out something with Chelmsford to share filming duties. So as the date nears I'll post the sites for those 2 channels. I assume it will be a really brief clip and maybe interviewing fans outside to show that a big band came and played in Lowell. Pure Puff Piece.