Charleston Rescheduled???: The Merged Superthread!

[Doug C]

It's called "making the best of a bad situation".

 

Or, what I probably would have done - I would have made the trip to Nashville anyway and had a good time without going to the show.

 

Shit happens. You can either piss and moan about it or you can power on and make the best of the situation. So you paid for air fare, took time off, booked hotels, etc? Go on to Charleston! It's a great city with a rich history, beautiful buildings and parks, the beach (which is gorgeous in the winter), good shopping, and some of the most mind-blowing food in the country. I think that would be a lot more fun and rewarding than maintaining a level of raised blood pressure over a postponed show.

Of course that's what it is called.

 

Makes sense.

 

Yes it does. But I am a person of principle. I find the principle involved here to go against my moral compass. I am not talking life or death morals but simple right or wrong. I am not 'pissing and moaning' or 'raising my blodd pressure'. I feel aggrieved. I never would have expectedthis from this band. Something I felt secure about has been shown to be false. Does that mean that I am done with wilco? Certainly not. I am desperately trying to work out going to Nashville from Tampa instead of Charleston. But I do feel as though I have been emotionally kicked in the teeth by an, in my view, unprincipled decision.

[Good Old Neon]

Jeezus, dude, it's a fucking concert. It got rescheduled. Your ticket is still good for the makeup date. No one burned your house down or shot your grandmother or even kicked your dog. Get over it.

 

Are you honestly going to tell me that if you had a chance to appear as the musical guest on SNL, you wouldn't rearrange your schedule a bit? The show may not be what it once was, but it's still an honor to play it.

 

The rescheduling of shows sucks for those who hold tickets, but it's not the end of the world. Just adjust your plans. If you incurred travel and hotel expenses leading up to the original date, let's be honest: that was a risk you willingly took. It was a reasonably safe risk, but in this one case, it didn't happen to work out. Deal with it and move on.

 

So you're saying ... You're better at Wilco?

 

Wow, you make one hell of an enabler.

 

You

[Mrs. Peel]

Radiohead is about the only band with no ego etc in caring about $$$. They make enough I believe is what Thom said about giving their album away free..... Talk about good PR...

 

 

You're right, Wilco has never done anything like that for us. I must have been dreaming when YHF and SBS were made available online for free, or by the honor system, which is essentially what Radiohead did too. They did ask for money, you know, they just didn't demand it. Radiohead asked for "donations". Wilco asked that when the albums were officially released we would go out and buy a copy if we liked the album. And how about allowing taping at every show they play for free trading? Or how about playing shows in people's freaking living rooms for charity? Selfish pricks, I tell ya.

 

By the way, this isn't the first time they've generated buzz. I think they got more attention for the circumstances surrounding the YHF release, and their ticket prices didn't go up back then. So to say "It wont be long before the ticket price is up to 75+ as this is the sign we are headed for the big time" as if you know their intentions is ridiculous.

 

If you have enough of a problem with they way they handle themselves to post such vitriolic statements then maybe you should move on to someone else. Seriously, I've paid attention to a lot of bands over the years and I have never seen anyone bend over backwards for their fans more than Wilco does. Yes, canceling the Charleston show is unfortunate, and a decision I may not have made if I were them. But to call them "sell outs", which doesn't even accurately describe the situation, doesn't make any sense to me.

[ponch1028]

If I was Jeff or anyone else in the band and I read some of the posts regarding the Charleston rescheduling, I might cancel the August show altogether.

 

Get a life people. I'm sorry, but Wilco owes the people of Charleston absolutely nothing (or those that were coming from out of town). "Half of it's you, half is me" ... so exactly how have all of these pissy fans contributed one-half? I'm interested in hearing how one rescheduling of one concert constitutes such absurd levels of backlash and cries of sellout.

 

All Wilco does is stream many concerts for free, do charity concerts and then allows them to be taped and distributed for free, do residency shows which they allow two of them to be webcast, officially stream their albums for free months in advance, give free bonus material on the web for those who purchase the CD's and generally make themselves available for photos with fans after the show.

 

Does purchasing one concert ticket for a show that had to be rescheduled discredit all of the above?

 

What has happened to this board? I really didn't expect this type of backlash. I know it's not everyone, and I appreciate all those who are defending the band, but c'mon, this site usually demonstrates the best you could expect from a fansite.

 

And just because someone might catch them on SNL and come to Wilco now doesn't mean they're dumb or stupid or will like Wilco for all the wrong reasons. Talk about tooting your own horn. I didn't get into the National until Boxer kept getting all the press coverage it did. I didn't know they had already released 3 proper albums prior. Know what I did? I purchased their back catalog and love their albums.

 

I am bummed about Charleston. I took time off, and reserved a nice hotel. I made arrangements for people to take care of a number of personal and professional obligations I have in order to be freed up and enjoy the weekend. Make no mistake, I am disappointed. We can't reschedule the full weekend experience my wife and I were planning in August, the timing is just not right.

 

Well, we're still going to go to Charleston, enjoy the town, enjoy the food, watch SNL, probably listen to a lot of Wilco to and from the city, and make the best of it. And when August rolls around, it looks like I'll go the concert without the wifey. It won't be a long weekend, just the concert. And I will enjoy every minute of it. And whenever Wilco or Jeff plays anywhere near Charlotte, I'll be in front of my computer trying to order the best seats the minute the tickets go on sale.

 

And I will try to forget some of the more disappointing reactions that some "fans" had and be reminded that the core group of Wilco fans are the most generous and levelheaded people you could ask for in terms of fanbase. It's not just the band that shares music freely, the VC community has been incredibly gracious in recording and sharing concerts and DVD's and Demos.

 

my $0.02.

[phish907]

SO I love this band and have followed themfor years buying albums etc. I just wonder if we are seeing the end of the norm. Has Jeff decided to not look back. VW commercials and now SNL and crashing the plans of 1200 fans most of them that would travel to charleston. this isnt like NYC where everyone rides a subway to show and home. I was going over 200 miles each way.

 

But when you walk away from your paying customers to get paid by the big TV folks I just get to thinking we might be seeing the end or a good thing. Waiting til august to see the band play a year old album will be a let down. I know they will try to make it up to us but just not sure how you go out in front of 1200 folks and say hey sorry we F*** you in February but hell we are back now....

 

Hope time will heal but this is a cheap shot. Why not say hey we can do it before we head to austraila in a couple of weeks.

 

Jeff you owe us big for this one. And Lorne you suck......

 

 

While I understand your pain, I believe Wilco gives more than enough to the fans as is. What else can they do to be more fan friendly?

Its not as if the show was cancelled, and do you just go to a show to hear the songs off the latest cd? A Wilco concert is a celebration of their music , allow time to pass on this one, it will be just as good in the summer.

[So Long]

I'm really surprised there were no laughs for my Amtrack comment...

 

hmm

[Doug C]

ponch1028, you epitomize what I meant by 'kool-aid drinker' and 'VC jonestown'. The idea that any band, or anything for that matter, is above reproach and fair criticism, is frightening when extrapolated. 'What happened to this board'? Wow1!

 

Here is a quote from Greg Kot's 'Learning How To Die': "We're not U2," Tweedy says. "We're not the biggest rock band in the world. But we are part of the fabric of certain people's lives who have tickets and are waiting to see us. And there is no doubt in my mind that for some people out there, we are one of the threads they are hanging on to. And I think what we have to do as a band is to make those people aware of how we need them as much as they need us."

[Good Old Neon]

What has happened to this board? I really didn't expect this type of backlash. I know it's not everyone, and I appreciate all those who are defending the band, but c'mon, this site usually demonstrates the best you could expect from a fansite.

 

If by

[Guest Muncle Douchey]

Thank you. I admire your ability to recognize sarcasm and appreciate blatant stupidity. I have an appreciation for the same, and I really like what I'm seeing in your posts.

 

I'd say my post is the second dumbest in this dumb thread. Then again, I don't think it's a dumb thread, which probably makes me the dumbest thing in this dumb thread.

 

I must finally be an official VCer, because I've finally used the "ignore user" option. I feel like such a part of the community.

 

oops. i guess i was a little harsh. and i thought you were being serious. but it doesn't matter, because you've ignored me.

 

i just don't like "selling out" talk. it's annoying.

[ponch1028]

The inability that some of you have to criticize, shows a lack of insight at best and is somewhat frightening at worst.

 

The inability that some of you have to get over it shows a lack of perspective at best and a neurotic and narcissistic tendency at worst. Some of you certainly view yourselves more highly than perhaps the band does, and I got to side with them. Get over yourselves. I don't get to go see Wilco this weekend. That sucks. I took time off of work, I made personal and professional arrangements to get away for a long weekend. I made reservations at a nice hotel in the middle of the historical district. The August date is actually a very hectic and busy time for me in terms of my job. You know what? I'm disappointed and inconvenienced and wish things were different. That's life, and it certainly is expected from family or friends (or a band) that you love. What good can possibly come from me pouting and whining? Nothing is going to change, and whether you agree or not, they choose SNL over Charleston. By the way, Charleston was also one of the last shows to sellout, when all the others seemed to sellout the first day they went on sale, so I have absolutely no problem if they didn't postpone the Residency shows but did with the Charleston shows. Chicago is their hometown, where their families are, and where a large portion of their fanbase is that has supported them through many of their charitable auctions and concerts. Why would anyone suggest that Charleston should be on the same level as Chicago.

 

If anything, this incident demonstrates to me how we in the states have been spoiled by the expectation that Wilco will make their way to our region once or twice a year. I really admire those Wilco fans in Europe, Canada, or Australia where they don't get to see the band in concert as frequently as we do, but they still persevere.

 

Anyone who allows this rescheduling to be merits to turn against the band, good riddance. Be disappointed, maybe a little mad for a little while, blow some steam off, but c'mon people, some of the reaction has been pretty ridiculous!

[noyes]

their progression as a band' date=' their overall musicality, their range, their willingness to experiment, tweedy's intelligent lyricism - the reasons i love wilco - will go unnoticed by this new group of fans.[/quote']

 

i understand what you mean, but

many in the new group of fans will, if they truly love the music, eventually realize their evolution as a band.

just because you get into a band X# of years into their career doesn't mean you can't be just as big a fan than someone that's been there all along.

 

really really sucks for the Charleston ticket holders. the frustration is understandable.

but if it makes any of you guys feels better, i've only seen Wilco once...

that didn't help, did it? haha.

 

i just don't like "selling out" talk. it's annoying.

that it is.

[JUDE]

If anything, this incident demonstrates to me how we in the states have been spoiled by the expectation that Wilco will make their way to our region once or twice a year. I really admire those Wilco fans in Europe, Canada, or Australia where they don't get to see the band in concert as frequently as we do, but they still persevere.

 

This argument would work if the thread was about the band not going to certain cities rather than scheduling a tour stop and then changing it.

[ction]

I bet Tweedy has been dreaming about playing on SNL since he was a kid. Sometimes in life, opportunities arise and you have to be willing to make sacrifices for them to happen. Once, I had to miss my son's first birthday because I had the chance to fly to Russia and drink vodka for a week while waiting to shoot a bear that just woke up from hibernation. I love my son and I didn't want to miss his birthday, but I'd like to think that when he gets older he'll be proud of me for living my dream.

[Doug C]

ponch1028, Did you read my explanation for my feelings? It is not 'blood pressure' etc. I presented rational reasons for my feelings.

I say this to you, Mr.-Could-have-been-at-People's-Temple:

Here is a quote from Greg Kot's 'Learning How To Die': "We're not U2," Tweedy says. "We're not the biggest rock band in the world. But we are part of the fabric of certain people's lives who have tickets and are waiting to see us. And there is no doubt in my mind that for some people out there, we are one of the threads they are hanging on to. And I think what we have to do as a band is to make those people aware of how we need them as much as they need us."

[watch me fall]

So Chicago fans are better than other fans. I knew it!

[ponch1028]

ponch1028, you epitomize what I meant by 'kool-aid drinker' and 'VC jonestown'. The idea that any band, or anything for that matter, is above reproach and fair criticism, is frightening when extrapolated. 'What happened to this board'? Wow1!

 

Here is a quote from Greg Kot's 'Learning How To Die': "We're not U2," Tweedy says. "We're not the biggest rock band in the world. But we are part of the fabric of certain people's lives who have tickets and are waiting to see us. And there is no doubt in my mind that for some people out there, we are one of the threads they are hanging on to. And I think what we have to do as a band is to make those people aware of how we need them as much as they need us."

 

Does providing a little perspective amount to 'kool-aid drinker and VC jonestown?' What is the fair criticism here? I don't get that. They are a band, they are a business. You quote Kot's book. Does this one event really say to you that they are intentionally sticking it to you? Is that what you believe? Does every decision by the band have to be a gesture to you that they need YOU? Or is the problem that you need them more than they need you? I can understand people being disappointed. I am partially understand people being hurt. But a lot of things being posted here seems to be spurred by anger, which I don't understand. Tweedy's statement sounds nice and sincere and probably epitomizes some of the best qualities of the band, but c'mon, let's not put them on a pedestal just so we can knock them off when they don't live up to "our" standards that we've placed on them. I have no problem with criticism or fair criticism, but my own perspective is that the band has done so much and demonstrated such a level of generosity that those who do not take that into account are the ones who epitomize 'kool-aid drinkers' and 'vc jonestown' because in the grand scheme of things and perspective they are allowing one facet, their anger and disappointment, motivate them.

 

 

If by

[moxiebean]

Any speculation/suggestions what Wilco will do to make it up? I'd like to see a second show added for Friday 8/8, gratis for 2/29 ticketholders. Kind of a mini-residency thing (I'm sure they can cover the additional booking fee in merch revenue & post-SNL bump in cd sales). It's probably too much to hope for, but hey, a boy can dream.

[Good Old Neon]

I bet Tweedy has been dreaming about playing on SNL since he was a kid. Sometimes in life, opportunities arise and you have to be willing to make sacrifices for them to happen. Once, I had to miss my son's first birthday because I had the chance to fly to Russia and drink vodka for a week while waiting to shoot a bear that just woke up from hibernation. I love my son and I didn't want to miss his birthday, but I'd like to think that when he gets older he'll be proud of me for living my dream.

 

 

You, sir, owe me the cash equivalent of the mouth full of coffee that just left my body by way of my nose

[lamradio]

Plain and simple... I'm pissed because they rescheduled and to be honest, the day I found out, all I did was drink bourbon and mope around the house all day.. I was depressed.. My life has been revolving around this concert since December.... BUT, again, they made a decision that was best for business.. The simple fact that Wilco is one of the most giving, fan friendly bands that has ever been, I support them on their decision.. And I'm sure they will find a way to make it up to us Southerners or anyone else that is traveling down in August.. Even though they really don't even owe us that.. They rescheduled.. That's a lot more than most bands would do. I still love Wilco, and everyone else bitching and moaning should to!!!

[Sir Stewart]

[Doug C]

ponch, I have already stated that I do not think that they are 'sticking it to me'. How absurd. I fell that aprinciple is at stake. Yes it is one concert but many fans. You could also say that 'it is one SNL appearance. What will it really add to us to justify this action?'. As stated, I have had the wind knocked out of me. Something that I never expected has occured. Remember, I said that I am trying to workout Tampa to Nashville now but logistics and ticket prices could prove prohibitive. I love this band. They are the soundtrack of the majority of my life, though i do like other bands, too. Which is why I am so taken aback by the decision.

[ction]

 

Is that The Specials logo using an oversized nutcracker?

[Good Old Neon]

Maybe it's me, but I just don't get those who are really getting riled up by all of this. My perspective is that it's not blind devotion regardless of the circumstances. I just don't think the circumstances are all that monumental. It's a little blip on the radar. One concert!!! One concert people!!!! ONE CONCERT!!!!! It's not blind devotion, it's called stepping back and recognizing the small nature of this all in the grand scheme of not just life but in the long run of how the band has treated and will continue to treat its fanbase. IT'S ONLY ONE CONCERT!!!

 

I would understand if someone within the band fell ill or had to attend to an ailing family member, etc

[groovingdan]

Yeah, geez, I can't believe how shitty Wilco always is to their fans, man they are just so consumer driven and really only tour for the bank that they'll make. It's amazing how they never give anything away for free, they always play super short shows and even then, they seem like they aren't really even into it. I really wish they were a "fans band."

[Beltmann]

If I had Charleston tickets, I'd definitely be peeved about this.

 

But speaking as a Wilco fan living far from Charleston--in other words, speaking on behalf of the vast majority of Wilco fans--I'm glad Wilco chose SNL, because that's a gig I'll actually get to see; it's a move that shows appreciation for Wilco fans everywhere, not just the ones in Charleston.