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The last time Wilco played Jazz Fest, two years ago, the band only got about an hour into its scheduled 1-hour, 40-minute set before the skies turned sinister and eventually exploded in fury. My lasting memories of that day were enduring hordes of young women camped out for Hozier (who immediately preceded Wilco on the Gentilly Stage) to try and get a decent spot, then scurrying for cover, then being annoyed because I hadn’t heard about most of the band making a post-fest appearance as part of a musical art installation at a park…right next to where I parked my car! I can’t say if there were

Though it's always a privilege to get to attend the living room shows that Jeff performs to benefit Letters To Santa, I didn't want to step on any toes and rush to post right away as is my habit because I know how much work and advance preparation go into these things and I wanted to give the folks who put in that effort the first chance to share some details and experiences — or not. But since I've been charged with posting the setlist for last night's performance, I suppose it's all right to at least attempt a short recap...so here goes. No matter how many of these events one gets to exper

Good sleuthing!

You are on it! He mentioned something about being their last-ever shows, though? Are they breaking up/retiring from touring?

Actually no. 333, to be exact. I remember it as if it was yesterday...

Well, thanks for taking the time to check them out!

Yes, exactly.

I've been asked this more than a few times and the honest-to-goodness answer is I stopped keeping count years ago because A. whatever number it is wouldn't be all that impressive. I mean, like age, it's all just a number — 100, 200, 500, 1,000...what's the difference? — and anyway, you'd need to know how many shows the band and/or Jeff has played in total to even put that number into context; and B. I think some people get too caught up in their "personal statistics." I mean, I get it to a certain extent. We're hardwired as humans to try to organize and tabulate things, but I just try to remem

Actually, the term that was used was "reigning king," implying that I am likely to be deposed soon (or perhaps sent off to pasture). Thus I await the forthcoming revolution...

Haha! Fancy plant lady fan club? That is pretty weird, though...

OK, sure! If only I had some advance knowledge about their future touring plans, it would certainly make my life much easier (hint, hint)...

Oh, and sorry I misheard/mis-reported your name, Brett...hope you did indeed have a good birthday! (Edit: Fixed the name above).

Nice work on the recapping, Ms. Stone! Thanks for sparing me from trying to make out my chicken scratch, which I was sort of dreading since I think it was especially bad for this show. Perhaps "bewildered" wasn't the right choice of words (actually, I wrote "almost bewilderedly"). I certainly didn't mean to imply that he was in a daze or not all there or anything like that. Just that I read that particular comment I quoted as being typically self-deprecating, yes, but maybe also a little bit of wondering how he could be struggling so much. I think he knew that, to that point, he hadn't done pa

Once again, I really don't have time to report as fully as I'd like right now on the second and final night of Jeff's annual education benefit solo shows. As always, each show ends up being a fairly unique affair depending on Jeff's state of mind and motivation level, crowd dynamics, songs requested and other factors. Many years when there have been two shows, it ends up that the first night is a bit more ragged performance-wise before Jeff turns in a more polished effort on the second. This year, however, I would say those results were probably reversed. This second of two shows proved to be

Don't have much time now to even attempt to recap another enjoyable evening of solo acoustic Tweedy, so for now, let me just say that this show before a relatively small but spirited crowd was just about everything you could hope for at these annual benefit(s) — an engaging, but not perfect, performance; a generous amount of banter and typically tongue-in-cheek comments; a touch of political ranting; some gentle pokes at the audience. I will try to add some details later, if no one else has chimed in, but I have to be up for Record Store Day activities in a few hours and thus am just going t

I had you pegged as more of a Pretty Pimpin' kind of guy...j/k.

I think I pulled a Row D for Louisville as well...perhaps we can finally say hello in person?

I think it's gonna happen, Jim!

Oh man, I couldn't begin to do justice to that one. But it was pretty awesome. Chris Corsano is a powerhouse drummer, while Darin wasn't even really playing bass per se, but had his instrument on his lap and would interchange various metallic bowls and such in between the strings that he used to create various textures and sounds. Jeff mostly created feedback and noise on a couple of electric guitars, including a red one I hadn't seen him play before that had buttons that he was using almost like an autoharp. I think they were all really pleased with how it turned out, given that it was the

The funny thing about the Big Ears set, though, was that they basically didn't do any of the songs off the new record. Glenn said they weren't able to get their Brazilian collaborators there, but they will apparently be joining OF at Eaux Claires and Solid Sound.

Hey man, kudos to you for standing (and for saying hi)! I'm glad no one tried to shout you down. It takes some cojones to stand when you're right front and center like that and very few others are (and you're very close to the band). Glad you enjoyed the show. You're definitely one of the people I was thinking of while writing that recap late last night.

Figured you would enjoy that one, Herr Tatlock...

While I'm flattered and humbled that anyone would look forward to and/or be interested in what I have to say after a given show, it occurred to me tonight that it's also a bit inexplicable. It goes without saying, perhaps, but any recap I could write would never be able to fully capture even the perspectives of the few people I observed around me, much less any number of other audience members. How to convey what was going through the mind of the woman in the front row who literally sat motionless with her arms folded for the entire show? Or the VCer (lurker? regular poster? make yourself kn

Yes, definitely an admirable post. Kudos!

You guys are cute... Thanks for the speedy post! I knew there'd be a Monday! And dang, that first encore must've been super fun.