Jump to content

Wilco venues: small or large?


Recommended Posts

What do you guys think about Wilco's live performances, are they better in smaller venues or just as good in larger?

 

I only ask because I know some bands are miles better in smaller venues, though i assume Wilco is great in both. When the Chicago residency tickets sold out so fast, i really wished they would have played at the united center or something, but maybe that sacrifices a lot?

Link to post
Share on other sites

I've only seen 1 or 2 arena shows in the past 15 years. I really got put off by them when I saw Neil Young & Crazy Horse back in '91 or '92 at the Target Center in the Twin Cities. I was so far away that the sound and the sight was out of sync. When I moved closer, it didn't help much. I don't know if Wilco would even sell out an arena in Chicago just because a lot of their fans wouldn't like the arena experience.

Link to post
Share on other sites

One thing I love about Wilco is the smaller venues. In Tulsa this past winter I was standing almost on stage with JT. We could not help but make eye contact.The stage was not elevated much at all. And with Nells last week I was actually talking to him..as was everyone else.Good times!

 

Austin City Limits Festival...not so fun. Wilco way to far away and full. I had to watch them on a screen. Just like my last U2 concert. Luckily I paid a worker some cash to get down on the floor. Even then I had to watch them on a screen.I can do that @ home. That's why I will never pay 100's of dollars to go see U2 again.

 

I'm saving my $ for Wilco instead.Just hope they stay with the smaller venues most of the time.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Last June I saw Wilco at Pines Theater (small ampitheatre) in Northampton MA and then the Bank of America Pavilion (much larger arena) in Boston a few days later.

 

The one thing I found myself most often saying when comparing the two shows is that...Wilco played TO THE VENUE that they were in. Pines was much quieter and more of a folky experience, with the exception of the standout performance of Spiders (Kidsmoke). While the BofA Pavilion felt much more like a rock show.

 

Personally, I prefer the small venue all for selfish reasons. Imho, however, I think the guys do a bang-up job no matter WHERE they are :thumbup

Link to post
Share on other sites

A lot of it has to do with the sound quality. Most of the venue's they play are smaller theaters, and they were intentionally built for music/acoustics. When I saw Wilco at Ovens in Charlotte, the sound quality was the best I have ever heard at any concert and it had to do with the theater design. I'm sure they sounded amazing at the Ryman in Nashville. I've never seen them at an arena, but I've seen plenty of other arena shows and the sound was always very echoey and distorted.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I have to say the Millenium Park gig las summer had a bit of a weird vibe. Playing to 10,000 people outdoors in their hometown had to be a bit of a trip even for a seasoned band like Wilco.

 

LouieB

Link to post
Share on other sites
  • 6 months later...
One thing I love about Wilco is the smaller venues. In Tulsa this past winter I was standing almost on stage with JT. We could not help but make eye contact.The stage was not elevated much at all. And with Nells last week I was actually talking to him..as was everyone else.Good times!

 

I must have been right next to you...I was smashed against the railing, of my own doing of course, staring Jeff and Pat in the face. So me, I vote for small venues. I've been to plenty of large venue shows, and when Pearl Jam tours again, undoubtedly, I'll suck it up and go see them at Ford center or whatever enormous arena they play, but it's not my preference. There's just some bands that you have to see and that might be the only way. A Pearl Jam show in Cain's would be pretty cool though...

Link to post
Share on other sites

i prefer Wilco in smaller venues such as auditoriums. there's something really intimate about that setting not only regarding the band and music, but fellow concert goers as well. it feels like being stuck in one big ball of love for a couple of hours. and i do not mean this in a dirty way, lol. that feeling easily dissipates during outdoor gigs.

Link to post
Share on other sites
Man, you stole my line.

I'd settle for solo Tweedy at the local college auditorium, especially if the drummer tags along.

You can actually see "the drummer " if you are refering to Glenn Kotche the current drummer (or are you speaking of Ken Coomer the former drummer..not sure), in small venues fairly often. I was practically sitting inside his drum kit the other day at a loft show.

 

LouieB

Link to post
Share on other sites
You can actually see "the drummer " if you are refering to Glenn Kotche the current drummer (or are you speaking of Ken Coomer the former drummer..not sure), in small venues fairly often. I was practically sitting inside his drum kit the other day at a loft show.

 

LouieB

I'm not one for bringing back former members. Coomer, a great rock drummer, would not be a better compliment to accoustic Tweedy than Kotche, a great musician. I know Kotche does small venue tours. I wanted to go a couple years back when he came to Chapel Hill with Bang-a-Can, but I couldn't work out the logistics of getting off work, driving two hours and making the show on time; so I didn't go. It's hard to get anything but country bands to come to eastern NC.

Link to post
Share on other sites

As anyone will tell you size does matter. For Wilco's show at Mccarren Pool in Brooklyn (6,000 person venue) I was in the first 3 rows...I remember I had to go to the bathroom which was a mile away. Coming back from the bathroom I realize all you heard was crowds talking, people not paying attention and a weak sound(more so the venues fault). My view is the larger the venue the more casual fans you have. What seems to be the case when the show is in NYC people go to the show just to be seen and don't care about the shows as much as the general expiernce. To expierence Wilco in a larger venue it really, really helps being close. I definatley enjoy Wilco in smaller venues but will still see them every chance I can get larger or small. I just will try and get as close as possible in the larger venues.

Link to post
Share on other sites
  • 2 weeks later...

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...