bböp Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 A pretty loose, fun show to wrap up the year (one which Jeff jokingly said Wilco dominated, or something to that effect). Of course it was a special show for several reasons, including the 30th birthday of a certain VC moderator, which Jeff acknowledged at the start of the first encore as he led a happy birthday singalong to Brianne and noted that she "didn't look a day over 12," before dedicating "Via Chicago" to her. It was also the 15th anniversary of Wilco's first live show, which I think had pretty much zero effect on tonight's set but which Jeff also mentioned. I think even Jeff, though, would have to acknowledge that they've come a pretty long way from the band that debuted at Cicero's in St. Louis on November 17, 1994. There was also the requisite crazy dancing guy, which definitely attracted Jeff's attention -- and not in a good way. And a couple of lyric flubs. And some banter about how the Germans were pretty bad singers and how the band was melancholy about it being the last show of the year. You know, pretty much all the ingredients for an entertaining evening. So anyway, the setlist as played: Ashes of American FlagsBull Black NovaYou Are My FaceIATTBYH>One WingA Shot in the ArmCars Can't Escape>Wishful ThinkingImpossible GermanyHow To Fight LonelinessI'll FightWar on WarJesus, etc. (crowd singalong)Handshake DrugsSonny FeelingHate It HereWalkenI'm The Man Who Loves YouHummingbird------------------happy birthday sung to Brianne--Via Chicago>Spiders (Kidsmoke)----------------You Never KnowKingpin ("livin' in...Eindhoven")Heavy Metal DrummerCasino Queen>Outtasite (Outta Mind) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
H.Stone Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 including the 30th birthday of a certain VC moderator, which Jeff acknowledged at the start of the first encore as he led a happy birthday singalong to Brianne and noted that she "didn't look a day over 12," before dedicating "Via Chicago" to her. So I've heard! I think that trumps "Dreamer..." Even though you're missing seven hours of your birthday, I think you made the most of the 17 you had, B. Hope you can get some rest on the flight! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
H.Stone Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 The setlist: Cars-->Wishful Thinking. Nice! I don't think I've ever heard that before. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SarahC Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 dream setlist! what a cool way to celebrate your birthday Brianne! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
popquiz kid Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 Man, the last two nights were a dream... 2 of the best gigs I ever saw.I knew I was in for a surprise (always am, with Wilco), but this was NUTS! They even played my request: Cars Can't Escape... I mean... They hardly ever play that song!I heard pretty much all the songs I wanted to hear from this band.How many times does a band give you that!? Complete satisfaction. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
popquiz kid Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 BTW! Did anyone notice there were microphones pointed at the audience?... Any chance of a new live-CD being in the pipeline? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Marijn Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 I'll post some photo's when I return from work tonight. In the meantime, here's a movie my friend Sjoerd made: MODERATOR EDIT: Link removed. http://forums.viachicago.org/topic/38190-via-chicago-rules-and-regulations/ Wilco has a long-standing policy against the videotaping of their shows, and out of respect for this policy, the posting of such videos on Via Chicago is not allowed. This also applies to solo Jeff Tweedy shows. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pnêyu Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 --happy birthday sung to Brianne--Screw the one-week moratorium. I'll ask: WAS THERE A TAPER? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Backstage Pass Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 I was really surprised, like in London and Amsterdam, Wilco started with Ashes again. I first thought, it’s Amsterdam all over again. And at first it looked that way!Standing in the back in the Effenaar (besides the PA) it looked like Jeff had a hard time. For me it was almost confirmed during IATTBYH when he pointed a disapproving finger to (someone in?) the crowd.But then came Cars Can’t Escape and for me the night was more than OK. How To Fight Loneliness also was a big YES and I have to confess, what a gorgeous ending of that song! Even the crowd around me caught the magic of that moment although it seemed only a few people knew this song. I saw people having a great time, but I also saw (in the beginning) a resigned crowd. I had a hard time hearing them singing along with Jesus (only in the front and surely not from behind me at the bar). I thought the turning point in the show was Handshake Drugs. From there the audience caught on. For me the end was just perfect, solid rock from AM and Being There. Beautiful.After visiting the shows London, Brussels and Amsterdam I remain with a feeling that maybe Wilco should have had ended their tour in Amsterdam and not in Eindhoven. Because for Eindhoven it was just another show. For Wilco it was a end of their European tour and (i.m.h.o.) the audience in Eindhoven was not (like) “conscious” of this fact, didn’t sympathize with Jeff's comments that much (of course the hard core fans in the front did!).I also agree with the “loose, fun show-idea”.Dutch newspaper and comments on the internet are nothing but enthusiastic and sometimes more and so am I (if somebody should doubt).What an experience “travelling with Wilco”! I have to say that I liked the London show very, very much (Jeff solo is unforgettable, what am I saying, everything is ...) and I would like to add that Amsterdam was superb too.So now it’s my time to be, to put in Jeff’s words, melancholic. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Preferred B Posted November 18, 2009 Share Posted November 18, 2009 Whew, finally made it home (via Chicago, in fact). I thought that Eindhoven had a great complementary setlist to Amsterdam, and I've realized that there are some songs - "Sonny Feeling" and "You Never Know" come to mind right now - that make me goofily happy throughout. No special reason, they just do. Of course, I loved "Via Chicago" last night ... I was certainly not expecting any sort of birthday shout out! Visiting a new country and seeing some fun shows was my 30th birthday present to myself. But extra special thanks to Wilco for giving me a memory that made me smile intermittently on the flight back home, for seemingly no reason, likely creeping out my fellow passengers. (Incidentally, it's safe to say that being a VC moderator had no bearing on this matter.) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
50footqueenie Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 Back home now after seeing these last three shows - Amsterdam was definitely a high after the hassle we had in Milan when my wife got her wallet stolen, anyway good times and very nice to meet Brianne and Paul and compare some notes! However after this show was when things got really interesting... Firstly I met Stan as he made his way backstage and had a quick natter - he was very complimentary about the band and said they were good to work for. I then went into a bar for a relaxing drink before heading back to the hotel. Ten minutes later in walked John and Pat with the Latebirds!! - they must have been taking them for a 'thank you' drink. After another ten minutes I finally picked up courage to say hello. John was really nice and we talked for a few minutes about all kinds of stuff - the Beck session, touring plans for next year, his new hat he's bought for the Canadian tour and the real origin of the name 'Tweedy'... I only managed a quick hello with Pat and as the bar was closing for the night but went back to the hotel (via another bar to get over the shock!) feeling like I was 17 again!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
popquiz kid Posted November 19, 2009 Share Posted November 19, 2009 Ten minutes later in walked John and Pat with the Latebirds!! - they must have been taking them for a 'thank you' drink. After another ten minutes I finally picked up courage to say hello. John was really nice and we talked for a few minutes about all kinds of stuff - the Beck session, touring plans for next year, his new hat he's bought for the Canadian tour and the real origin of the name 'Tweedy'... I only managed a quick hello with Pat and as the bar was closing for the night but went back to the hotel (via another bar to get over the shock!) feeling like I was 17 again!! Now thát's cool So... Now tell us all about the origin of Jeff's last name Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Marijn Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 Haven't found time yet to edit my batch of photos in Lightroom, but here's a quick snapshot: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
50footqueenie Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 During the show Jeff had joked about how the Germans were not good at clapping (or something), then qualified it by saying that he didn't want to cause an international incident and anyway half his family were of German origin. When I met John, I said I was surprised as I always thought the Tweedy name was from the north of England, perhaps even related to the River Tweed which staddles the Scottish - English border (near to where I stay), but he said that Jeff's family definitely had German roots. The only other thing I'm going to spill from our conversation was that when it was mooted for Wilco to do the Beck session, that the other choice for record to cover was Brian Eno's 'Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy'!!!! And John was glad they'd taken the Skip Spence album instead. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Preferred B Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 During the show Jeff had joked about how the Germans were not good at clapping (or something), then qualified it by saying that he didn't want to cause an international incident and anyway half his family were of German origin. When I met John, I said I was surprised as I always thought the Tweedy name was from the north of England, perhaps even related to the River Tweed which staddles the Scottish - English border (near to where I stay), but he said that Jeff's family definitely had German roots.Well, you know, there must be another half, right? Great capper for your trip, Iain! It was really nice to meet you. Scotland is on my ever-expanding list of places to visit ... and now maybe the Shetland Islands, too. (I just looked at a map - there's actually one called Deception? Desolation? Elephant?) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
50footqueenie Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 Great to meet you too - yes come to the land of the mountain and the flood - but mostly flood since I got home... You've completely got me on that Shetland island - most of them have norse derived names, so it may just sound similar to that word. I'll consult the wife oracle on that one. Having seen those Japan and Oz dates yesterday I'd love to go to both those countries but that may prove too expensive. John did also say that they would return to Europe in the spring again, presumably now after those dates. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
samuel70 Posted November 20, 2009 Share Posted November 20, 2009 Some pictures from the show. Some more (original size) on my Flickr page. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chinese Apple Posted November 26, 2009 Share Posted November 26, 2009 During the show Jeff had joked about how the Germans were not good at clapping (or something), then qualified it by saying that he didn't want to cause an international incident and anyway half his family were of German origin. When I met John, I said I was surprised as I always thought the Tweedy name was from the north of England, perhaps even related to the River Tweed which staddles the Scottish - English border (near to where I stay), but he said that Jeff's family definitely had German roots. I read somewhere that his mother's maiden name was Werkmeister. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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