Wilco 4-27-2010 Auckland, NZ

[californiastar]

Come-on, anybody get to the Auckland gig last night? Still working off your hang-overs? Let me kick-start the conversation:

 

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10641395

[Wise Enough]

Come-on, anybody get to the Auckland gig last night? Still working off your hang-overs? Let me kick-start the conversation:

 

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10641395

 

I didn't go, and I'm waiting to hear from my friends that did. But what I do know is that there was no Finn jam, though they were backstage...

[monster]

I didn't go, and I'm waiting to hear from my friends that did. But what I do know is that there was no Finn jam, though they were backstage...

 

We got a generous helping of Finn/Wilco live collaboration at the excellent 7Worlds Collide shows last year, with various Finns as stand-in Wilco band members, and we don’t get to see Wilco down here very often. So as much as I’m a really big fan of the various Finns and their work, I’m actually kind of pleased this stayed as a Wilco show.

 

JT did say plenty of nice things about the time they spent here last summer with the Finns for 7WC, and bantered a bit with Elroy who was sitting in one of the front rows.

[Scott Gyrrr]

Yeah some of the Finns were in the front row. Jeff said 'I stayed at that guys house' pointing. He was pretty chatty actually.

 

I haven't been paying that much attention to what wilco have been doing live lately so for me it was enjoyable and amusing to hear the robot/computer voice intro for the band in Wilco the song. Singalong in for jesus etc...= woe full. I wonder if New Zealand fandom in general has spiked since 7wc? So maybe they don't know past Sky Blue Sky. (not like me of course. Im cool and got Being There when it came out) I love the way they do reservations these days probably my favorite song of the night.

[monster]

Yeah some of the Finns were in the front row. Jeff said 'I stayed at that guys house' pointing. He was pretty chatty actually.

 

I haven't been paying that much attention to what wilco have been doing live lately so for me it was enjoyable and amusing to hear the robot/computer voice intro for the band in Wilco the song. Singalong in for jesus etc...= woe full. I wonder if New Zealand fandom in general has spiked since 7wc? So maybe they don't know past Sky Blue Sky. (not like me of course. Im cool and got Being There when it came out) I love the way they do reservations these days probably my favorite song of the night.

 

I think you are right that many NZ music fans have only come to Wilco in the last few years so might be a bit unfamilar with some of the back catalogue. Other than a Big Day Out Festival performance in 2002, they didn't tour here until 2008, when all the shows got great reviews. The 7WC shows last year (which had a reasonably high profile here in NZ)certainly raised awarenes of the band and it's music (having NZ music royalty like Neil Finn declare you as one his favorite bands certainly helps)

I think the bands following will continue to grow here now on, word of mouth is a great thing and the Wilco "virgins" i know that went to last nights show were all absolutely blown away by the experience. So there will be more seeking out the old albums like Summerteeth and Being There. Was a bit surprised that the Jesus etc singalong tanked so badly. Kiwis crowds usually love a singalong and I would have thought YHF would be the album that casual fans would most likely have been exposed to.

[Sonic]

Gotta say, it is kind of shaming to have such a feeble response from Aucklanders, especially when the show was so fantastic! But at least the general apathy has forced me to finally sign up here and post, rather than just lurk

 

Thanks for posting the set list, Monster - I never have complete recall, and the show was two and a half hours of bliss for me. just to add to your comments about the show, my only wish was that the audience had been a bit more animated - I got the feeling it was a bit of a disappointment to the band (even though in the words of Jeff "we feel like we live here!") that we weren't up dancing. I love, love, love the Civic, but maybe it was the wrong venue for this show? Those comfy airline seats seemed to make everyone a little sleepy, and it was almost like people felt they were in their own living rooms, with a beer, watching tv, rather than being at an interactive show.

 

Still, it was a visual spectacle, so hey, maybe sitting down was appropriate, I dunno.

 

As for the singalong, if Wilco keep coming back regularly, I'm sure we'll get enough practice in to make more of a noise! (I know I was shout-singing!).

 

My favourite bits? California Stars under the twinkling stars of the Civic; "Three cheers for Wilco!"; and Jeff's banter, of course.

[Kudzu]

Ah, I've been meaning to post something! It was a great show -- I was in the fourth row so had a fantastic view and I love the Civic, it's a fantastic venue. Nels was on fire -- I saw them last time they were here in 2008 and it's really hard to decide which was the better show, they were both so good. I did get a bit annoyed by the OVER enthusiasm of some fo the crowd, Auckland punters love to yell out "stupid shit" (as Jeff himself put it!) in between songs and frankly, I'm here to hear the band do their thing, y'know? That gripe aside it was a great night that only got better as the night went along -- the last hour or so was sheer bliss, Jeff warmed up after being a bit stoic at the start and was chatty, and "Kidsmoke," "I'm A Wheel," "California Stars" and much more were all fab. I agree with the last poster, something about "California Stars" under the Civic stardome was magic!

[Kudzu]

Oh and here's another nice show review from Real Groove's Marty Duda:

 

http://www.realgroove.co.nz/Blog.aspx?id=359

 

REVIEW: Wilco - Tuesday 27 April - Civic Theatre, Auckland

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 by Marty Duda

Comments [0]

We’ve had Wilco (the album) and 'Wilco' (the song), now it’s time for Wilco (the show). Before Jeff Tweedy and company took the stage Tuesday night a pre-recorded voice announced in a robotic tone what was and wasn’t allowed during the concert (OK to record audio, not OK to take photos). The six musicians then manned their instruments and kicked into, what else, 'Wilco (the song)', first track from last year’s Wilco (the album). As a good portion of the album was recorded in Auckland at Neil Finn’s Roundhead studios, this was something of a homecoming for the band. At one point Jeff Tweedy claimed, “we feel like we live here”. And so there was a celebratory feel in the air as the band ripped through 27 songs in just under two and a half hours, with Neil Finn cheering them on.

 

The band has been through multiple personnel changes over its 15 year career, but this lineup, featuring bass player John Stirratt (the only original member other than Tweedy), drummer Glenn Kotche, keyboard player Mikael Jorgensen, guitarist/keyboard player Pat Sansone and guitar whiz Nels Cline has remained constant since 2007’s Sky Blue Sky album. The stability has turned them into a rock & roll machine able to handle Tweedy’s gentle ballads ('Deeper Down', 'One Wing') with the sensitivity they need while taking some of the more upbeat material on wild, feedback drenched journeys. Sometimes, as with 'Poor Places', this happened during the same song, Tweedy’s quiet folky strumming would be interrupted by violent, explosive guitar work from Cline. The result was breathtaking.

 

While the most recent album was given a good airing (six songs), the band spent plenty of time shuffling through their back catalogue with 2002’s Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (arguable Wilco’s finest album) getting seven plays, Sky Blue Sky and A Ghost Is Born , four, and Summerteeth, three. Summerteeth’s 'A Shot In The Arm' was the first tune to bring the audience to its feet thanks to a truly transcendent ending. Often the songs ebbed and flowed into one another taking the audience on a wild musical ride. At one point they segued from 'Poor Places' to 'Reservations' to 'Spiders (Kidsmoke)', creating a twenty-minute sound collage that could rival side two of The Beatles’ Abbey Road album for sonic creativity. The appreciative crowd actually gave out a spontaneous “three cheers for Wilco” at one point.

 

Front man Jeff Tweedy proved to be an affable host. He deftly handled the usual knuckleheads who feel it’s their God-given right to shout out unintelligible inanities during a concert. He urged one group to sit down, or at least squat, to avoid blocking the view of others. After the “three cheers” he was almost speechless, responding with a simple “Gee whiz”.

 

The band kicked into overdrive for the final song of their regular set, 'Monday', from 1996’s Being There, proving what a great rock'n'roll band they really are. The encore reinforced that message. After a jangly 'California Stars' (from Mermaid Ave.), they played 'You Never Know', a song written here in Auckland for their latest album, then reached back to Mermaid Ave. for a stomping 'Hoodoo Voodoo' before closing the night with 'Im A Wheel'.

 

I’ve seen Wilco four times now, and they just keep getting better and better. Glenn Kotche is very likely the best rock drummer working today and Nels Cline is a force unto himself… seemingly in a world of his own, lurching about, coaxing amazing sounds out of his guitar. The rest of the band holds things together while Tweedy’s songs speak for themselves.

 

With 2010 not even half over, this may be the best show of the year.

[monster]

OK, have had time to gather thoughts and actually sit down and write a bit about the show. Wasn’t going to this late in the piece but, given the lack of other reports forthcoming (with exception of excellent comments from Sonic & Kudzu), thought I should do the decent thing.

 

My third proper Wilco show (not including a 2002 festival) and they seem to get better every time. Fantastic show; as usual the playing was spot on from all the band and Jeff was in fine voice and humour. My only very small complaints were the lack of a “bolter” in the set-list (lucky old Welly getting “Magazine”) and, where I was sitting, Nels was way too low in the mix early in the show - though was his usual unbelieveable self.

 

I thought the crowd was pretty good , if a bit subdued early on. No obvious talking during the quieter songs, and once everyone had got to their feet during Spiders (toward the end of the main set) virtually everyone in the stalls (and some of the circle) was on their feet for the rest of the show. Kiwi crowds might take a bit of winning over sometimes, but at least they really do “listen” to a performance.

 

Inevitably there was a lower quotient of hardcore fans in the crowd compared to their shows back in the US and, as noted elsewhere, that resulted in a rather piss-poor Jesus etc crowd sing-along.

 

When Jeff introduced the song he said that previously the worst singing they had experienced had been somewhere in Eastern Germany (then, after reflecting on that for a moment, said “Yeah, we’ve been a band so long we were playing when there WAS an East Germany”)

After they played Jesus etc someone yelled out “So, were we worse than Germany?”

JT – “I’ll have to be honest with you – there is definitely room for improvement” which was a lovely, diplomatic understatement.

 

Despite the reviewers and previous posters comments about knuckleheads yelling things, the few comments called out between songs were (with one exception) at least intelligible (if not always intelligent), and seeing Jeff deal with the “shouters” is part of the fun of the Wilco experience. I thought he seemed really at ease and in great humor and seemed to enjoy the banter and to me it didn’t detract from the show at all. After one exchange he even said something like “Hey, I think this is going really well….see, we really feel like we belong here”

 

I don’t think the band could quite believe it when someone early on made the “Three Cheers for Wilco” call, enthusiastically answered by the crowd. Jeff almost cracked up I think at something so “quaint” happening at a rock-show, and did the old fashioned, hands clasped, fist shake over each shoulder.

 

Some of the other exchanges - as best as I can recall;

 

(Following a quite long and amiable conversation with the lone guy who had been standing and dancing from the very start and quite early in show was trying to cajole everyone else to get to their feet – the conversation including a suggestion by Jeff that, as a compromise, “maybe everyone could squat”).

 

JT – “You’ve run an admirable campaign sir” ….

 

“Good luck standing to this one though …” before launching into Deeper Down

 

 

There was really only one instance, towards the end of the show, of somebody yelling something completely unintelligible

 

Random in crowd: “AFFFFVSSSSMMMAAAHGGYPSY!!”

 

JT – “Whaaaat? I can’t understand you. Why is there always one person that yells out stupid shit? It sounded like you said 'A few of us mounted a gypsy'......This is a family show sir!”

 

 

And finally, the guitar report – an SG that looked very much like a lollipop made an appearance for Hoodoo Voodoo, JT even licked it before strapping it on (the guitar that is).

 

Hope everyone in Oz enjoys the shows over there. From what we saw here in Auckland on Tuesday night you’re in for a real treat.

[Scott Gyrrr]

Nicely said.

[Plumplechook]

OK, have had time to gather thoughts and actually sit down and write a bit about the show...

JT – “Whaaaat? I can’t understand you. Why is there always one person that yells out stupid shit? It sounded like you said 'A few of us mounted a gypsy'......This is a family show sir!”

 

Great reportage Monster! I take back everything negative I ever said about Aucklanders.

[H.Stone]

And finally, the guitar report – an SG that looked very much like a lollipop made an appearance for Hoodoo Voodoo, JT even licked it before strapping it on (the guitar that is).

 

I love that lollipop guitar!

 

Thanks for the nice report, Monster.

[BeShakey]

I got a copy of the setlist:

 

Wilco (the song)

I Am Trying to Break Your Heart

Bull Black Nova

I Am Your Face

One Wing

A Shot in the Arm

At Least Thats What You Said

Deeper Down

Handshake Drugs

Impossible Germany

I'll Fight

Poor Places

Reservations

Spiders (Kidsmoke)

Hummingbird

Nothingsevergonnastandinmyway

Via Chicago

Jesus etc

Heavy Metal Drummer

Hate it Here

Walken

I'm the Man...

Monday

Outtasite

 

California Stars

You Never Know

Hoodoo Voodoo

I'm a Wheel

 

Went to both shows, and while they were both good, the Wellington crowd was much better. They certainly knew the words to Jesus etc. Was lucky and got to meet the band (plus JTE) on the plane to Wellington, and made a request (which got played!). The whole band were really nice which was awesome. I think the fact that the Wellington show was GA also helped - in Auckland the ushers were always rushing to get people into their seats if they stood up (which i can understand as it blocked peoples views, but I can also understand wanting to stand and move round to some of those songs).

[brrrrodie]

Hi all

 

That 'lone guy' was me! Yeah... I was VERY excited to be at another WILCO show (first at BDO AKL way back, then at Bluesfest at Whitianga and the Bruce Mason the next night... then the three 7 worlds shows.. sadly without Nels and Mikael of course).... and at my fav venue... possibly in the world....

 

So yeah... to those there who I pissed off.... sorry. I reckon at rock shows, one should be able to stand if the music takes them there...

 

Righto.. yeah... the show was fabulous. I regret that I didn't travel to Wellington or Oz to see some more of these shows. I think this line-up is at a peak right now... I just hope that they can stay together long enough to make some more great records and tour this way again... I will make the effort to see more shows next time!

 

I'll type up some more of recollections from the show shortly.

 

Oh.. anyone have an audio recording of it?

[monster]

That 'lone guy' was me! Yeah... I was VERY excited to be at another WILCO show (first at BDO AKL way back, then at Bluesfest at Whitianga and the Bruce Mason the next night... then the three 7 worlds shows.. sadly without Nels and Mikael of course).... and at my fav venue... possibly in the world....

 

So yeah... to those there who I pissed off.... sorry. I reckon at rock shows, one should be able to stand if the music takes them there...

 

 

 

When I referred to you as the “lone guy”, I didn’t mean you were the only one in the whole theatre up dancing early on, just something of a lone ranger in your area (that was a mint spot you had by the way…we were a couple of rows further back and off to the right)

I don’t think you need to apologise. As you point out, it was a rock show after all - and I think JT was (very subtly) on your side (after all, you were dancing out of respect for the bands feelings as I recall ). He didn't disagree with your "campaign", I think he just said something like "they look like comfortable seats" (which they are - perhaps that was part of the problem?)

I agree with you about the Civic, I love that old theatre. I wish they’d sort out the St James and reopen that as well.

 

I posted this last year when the tour was announced, but for anyone interested the link below is a virtual tour of the Civic in all it's glory (including domed ceiling of stars - which as mentioned was perfect for Cali Stars)

 

Civic Tour

[brrrrodie]

Hey there

 

Thanks for your vote of support for my campaign!

 

No... I certainly wasn't the only person standing... but it's a little sad we couldn't get to a critical mass a little earlier.... nevermind... the band were fantastic, as expected.

 

It sure was a mint spot I had... GREAT view of Nels noodling...

 

I thought JT was on my side too... but others told me that they thought he was subtly saying 'sit down'.... weird how we interpret things to suit ourselves!

 

Yeah... let's hope the St James is open for next time so we can have standing downstairs and seats on the upper levels for those who want to simulate watching a DVD as closely as possible!

 

Cheers all and Melbournians enjoy! The Forum is a cracker venue too.

[yalnikim]

Went to both shows

 

Thanks for the setlist!

 

I went to both shows too. I did wonder if anyone else had... it's good to know that someone did. I couldn't really pick one as a better show than the other... I was amazed at how different the set lists were (not that I should be given their catalogue) and I'm really really glad I went to both shows.

 

The sound in AKL was better and I was in a perfect seat (in the middle - great sound, and I could see Brodie dancing!)... I loved the way the intensity built up there, and it was great to hear a few more Being There tracks (especially "Oattasite" and "Monday", two of my favourites) and Via Chicago.

 

However, Wellington will be forever etched in my memory... I managed to drop off some of my beer ("Pot Kettle Black") to the band in Wellington and then my girlfriend (mother of our three children and another huge Wilco fan) proposed to me a few hours before the show... she'd planned it all out for months... magic! Then the guys went on to play a few songs that they hadn't played in AKL and we'd really wanted to hear: Theologians (her favourite) and Sonny Feelin' (we coincidentally have a son called Sonny).

 

That's the fourth time I've seen them and the fourth time I've been blown away. Top band.

[Scott Gyrrr]

 

 

The sound in AKL was better and I was in a perfect seat (in the middle - great sound, and I could see Brodie dancing!)... I loved the way the intensity built up there, and it was great to hear a few more Being There tracks (especially "Oattasite" and "Monday", two of my favourites) and Via Chicago.

 

However, Wellington will be forever etched in my memory... I managed to drop off some of my beer ("Pot Kettle Black") to the band in Wellington and then my girlfriend (mother of our three children and another huge Wilco fan) proposed to me a few hours before the show... she'd planned it all out for months... magic!

 

What the? you have a beer called Pot Kettle Black! Thats awesome. Congrats on the engagement too.

[yalnikim]

What the? you have a beer called Pot Kettle Black! Thats awesome. Congrats on the engagement too.

 

Yep - Yeastie Boys 'Pot Kettle Black'.

Cheers - Still buzzing about the gigs and the girl!

[Plumplechook]

Yep - Yeastie Boys 'Pot Kettle Black'.

Cheers - Still buzzing about the gigs and the girl!

 

Hey Yalnikim - just found your website.

 

http://www.yeastieboys.co.nz/pot-kettle-black/

 

Sounds delicious. Will have to check this out next time I'm back in NZ. Anywhere you can get it in Aus?

[English St]

Stuff.co.uk realise they made a mistake not covering Wilco's Auckland gig. Pretty ordinary really, especially with the weak-as-piss excuses at the bottom of the article. So are some of the comments at the bottom.

 

Basically:

We should have had someone reviewing the bound-to-be-awesome show, plain and simple. A reviewer went to John Mayer. We had someone at Vampire Weekend. And a workmate thankfully covered Tears for Fears and Spandau Ballet for me. Whew.

 

Heck, we even had a team of journalists, photographers and a video producer trailing Justin Bieber all day on Thursday. But we didn't have anyone at Wilco. And for that, I'm sorry.

 

I know it pissed at least one Stuff reader off, because Jack posted this on my John Mayer review: "Well done on covering this mildly talented Women's Weekly shrub instead of Wilco at the Civic, stay classy Stuff readers."

 

And they couldn't find a slightly more recent photo?

 

I though some of the Australian press were a bit slow off the mark, describing YHF as post-9/11? Research folks, research.

[yalnikim]

Hey Yalnikim - just found your website.

 

http://www.yeastieboys.co.nz/pot-kettle-black/

 

Sounds delicious. Will have to check this out next time I'm back in NZ. Anywhere you can get it in Aus?

 

As a matter of fact we're heading to Melbourne in a few weeks to check out a few options... There will be a few kegs at Young and Jackson's in mid-late May. Hopefully fairly regular bottle runs after that but we are tiny. More XXXX would evaporate each year than what we make all up!

 

Cheers

Stu

[monster]

 

 

That 'lone guy' was me!

 

Not sure if you saw last weeks Groove Guide, but there's a great photo of you showing off your mad dance stylings in the photos accompanying the Wilco show review...