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Wilco as an arena act


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I know the conventional wisdom is that Wilco, or any band for that matter, is best seen at some small, intimate venue. And I agree, to an extent. But i am awfully excited to see Wilco at the Air Canada Centre next week, because I think they will sound better in a big arena than many other bands.

 

This thought occurred to me last year when I saw them at 2,000-seat Massey Hall. It was during Spiders, I think, when it felt like the sound would blow the roof off the place. I just think that Wilco's live sound is so deep and rich and textured -- and, at times, so big -- that they will end up sounding great in the big arenas. I think they will fill those places with their sound.

 

As a sidebar, how many times have they played the big arenas up to now? I know about the MSG New Years thing, how did that go for them, how did they sound?

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I've seen them in various sized venues ranging from club-size (Capital in Ottawa) to college Aud (U of V in Burlington, which was really just an old gym) to outdoors (Albright-Knox Gallery in Buffalo) with the largest being Radio City (which they sonically filled pretty dam well). I'll be able to make a close comparison next month as I'll be seeing them play hometown Rochester, NY(I still can't freaking believe it) and then in NYC for the 12/15 NY show (imagine my surprise after getting tickets for that one, thinking it would be the last time to see them for awhile, when all of a sudden....headline show scheduled downfuckingtown!). I agree, my bet is that they do just fine in the arena setting. It's the company you keep, and they'll be in good company both in front of the stage and behind.

 

 

 

 

As a sidebar, how many times have they played the big arenas up to now? I know about the MSG New Years thing, how did that go for them, how did they sound?

 

They opened for the Stones in Atlanta in '05 and if I remember reading correctly, they were well received.

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I know the conventional wisdom is that Wilco, or any band for that matter, is best seen at some small, intimate venue. And I agree, to an extent. But i am awfully excited to see Wilco at the Air Canada Centre next week, because I think they will sound better in a big arena than many other bands.

 

This thought occurred to me last year when I saw them at 2,000-seat Massey Hall. It was during Spiders, I think, when it felt like the sound would blow the roof off the place. I just think that Wilco's live sound is so deep and rich and textured -- and, at times, so big -- that they will end up sounding great in the big arenas. I think they will fill those places with their sound.

 

I'm seeing them at ACC next week too & was thinking the same thing.

As for the ACC, I've been there twice for concerts this year (dare I say Spice Girls & NKOTB) & am conviced there's really not a bad seat & the sound was amazing for both shows (despite what the sound actually was of).

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I think that things like HS Drugs or Spiders would translate real well in a big setting. We shall see. Kalle, I'll look forward to your take on these shows. :thumbup

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I saw them at the Agganis Arena in Boston and I actually thought it was one of the better shows I've seen them do. I think their music translates really well in Arenas.

That's funny - I was just about to post that I saw them at the Agganis Arena in Boston and it was probably my least favorite of all of the Wilco shows I have seen. It had more to do with the venue than the band, but it (the venue) was big and sterile and security was really strict about people staying in their seats.

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They opened for REM in 1998 which was pretty much all 15,000 seat outdoor amphitheaters. They are best in the GA 1-3K setting I think based on seeing them at festivals, sheds, reserved seating theaters, GA theaters and clubs.

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They opened for the Stones in Atlanta in '05 and if I remember reading correctly, they were well received.

I wasn't actually there but from reports here, one of my favorite Wilco stories comes from that show. As they are leaving the stage, Jeff says "The Rolling Stones are coming up next. Stick around".

 

I saw them play Bluesfest here. Not an arena but there were probably 30,000+ and they blew the roof off that - pretty remarkable considering it was outdoors.

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I wasn't actually there but from reports here, one of my favorite Wilco stories comes from that show. As they are leaving the stage, Jeff says "The Rolling Stones are coming up next. Stick around".

 

I saw them play Bluesfest here. Not an arena but there were probably 30,000+ and they blew the roof off that - pretty remarkable considering it was outdoors.

 

 

True story. I thought they played great and sounded great that day. The only shitty thing was that quite a few folks weren't in their seats and those that were were trying to talk over them. I heard many, many folks saying stuff like "who the hell are these guys", etc, etc. In all they played around 10 tunes and as I stated before they sounded great. Pretty good PA system there at Phillips arena. Sadly most of the folks were there only to see the Stones and seemed to not give a damn. Personally I thought I'd died and gone to heaven, Wilco and The Stones on the same bill, pretty friggin' great!

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Guest wrinkleintherug

conventional wisdom? whose? whether they play the stone pony or in the middle of the dessert, they are brilliant and plan/mix accordingly. the MSG show was as good as i have ever heard them, whilst poor slater-kinney just couldn't put out the beef, so to speak...you will love a big venue.

 

I can't think of a single Wilco song they play live which would suffer in an arena setting.

exactly.

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I'm seeing them headline next Saturday in Rochester, then open for Neil Young the following Friday in Philadelphia. Of course I'm excited about seeing Wilco twice in one week, but I'm also really curious to see how different the two performances will be, if at all. I can't wait to hear some of the big guitar songs like "Impossible Germany" in an arena, even though it's going to be strange being so far back.

 

I'm so glad they're opening for Neil--I've wanted to see him again for quite awhile but needed an added incentive to make the four-hour trip down to Philly in the middle of December. But I'm definitely looking forward to a VC reunion with poppydawn and Mr. B n B :thumbup

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wilco did well at msg. it was a pretty lighthearted show... even for them, with lots of loose covers. it was still when they were touring with the screen... which helped a lot.

 

i'm not sure what to expect from them in the opening slot... but i'm hoping for the arena rock version of box full of letters.

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That's funny - I was just about to post that I saw them at the Agganis Arena in Boston and it was probably my least favorite of all of the Wilco shows I have seen. It had more to do with the venue than the band, but it (the venue) was big and sterile and security was really strict about people staying in their seats.

 

Well that might be true. I had like 2nd row seats so I guess I didn't really notice any of that. I just thought the show was great, one of the better sets I've seen them do. Jeff was in the best mood i've ever seen him in. He was messing with the people up front. BU gave him a BU Hockey Jersey with his name on the back and they ended with I Shall Be Released not to mention MMJ opened. It actually probably goes down as my favorite Wilco show and I've seen them a bunch. I've also seen a bunch of other shows there (White Stripes, Pixies) and I liked it as a venue.

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I know about the MSG New Years thing, how did that go for them, how did they sound?

 

the sound wasn't so great at the MSG show. upstairs wasn't sold at all so there was a lot of sound bouncing around in there. didn't stop the enjoyment, though. that was a very fun show with S-K and the Lips to boot!

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