Day of show memories

[Sir Stewart]

Sure the shows are great, but the events surrounding them are nearly just as memorable, no?

 

After my first Wilco show, we went to IHOP in Kenmore Square, where I ordered the soup of the day (stoned much?) - the waitress, a cutie, replied: "You don't order soup at IHOP."

[Guest Speed Racer]

My first two shows (Wilco and a solo show) each took place during deer hunting season, and involved considerable drives through rural areas. I still associate the memory of hearing The Ruling Class for the first time with bloody bucks.

[choo-choo-charlie]

Back in 2006, Wilco was playing the Uptown Theatre in Kansas City, MO. My wife (girlfriend at the time) and I were going that evening, but had to run some errands during the day. While heading back to her parents' house to drop some stuff off and get ready for the show, we saw Glenn Kotche standing on a street corner on the edge of the Plaza in Kansas City. This was a few hours before the show, so I imagine he was getting ready to head to the venue for soundcheck or something. I also thought it was weird that he was by himself trying to hail a cab - not in a van w/the other members. Most venues usually have some sort of shuttle service for their artists...

 

Anyway, I yelled "HEY THAT'S GLENN KOTCHE!!!!!" and my wife says, "Hey, let's stop and say hi! Maybe he needs a ride? Let's give him a lift to the Uptown!" The venue itself is only about 10 minutes (max) from that location. I decided not to, thinking that he might think we're either a) creepy weirdo kidnappers or creepy weirdo fans and not want anything to do with us. So we kept driving.

 

And ever since, to this day, I have been kicking myself for not at least stopping and saying hi. What a wasted opportunity.

[Sir Stewart]

After a show at the 4th & B in San Diego, as my (now) wife and I got in our car, a third party opened up the back door and jumped in, too. For a split second I was terrified but the guy was instantly shocked with embarrassment, and we all laughed and he said 'sorry sorry' a hundred times as he exited and got into the car full of people behind us. I'll never know if that was the right car, either.

[JAK2112]

Obviously, there are many stories to tell about seeing Wilco for the first time at Bonnaroo of all places, so we'll skip that one. When i was going to see Wilco the first night at the Wellmont, i found out the night before that i didn't have a car for my friend and i to get from manhattan to Montclair. I remember trolling craigslist for hours until i found a second pair of tickets the day of for $60 each so that i could take another friend who did have a car to drive us, i didn't even make him pay i was so grateful. One of the best decisions i've ever made.

[Preferred B]

I was almost late to a show once - we got to our seats about two minutes before the main set - because of an intense living room Rock Band session.

 

In 2008 I was on sabbatical in New Zealand and saw Wilco on Easter Sunday. Spent the morning and afternoon on the Coromandel Peninsula hiking to Cathedral Cove and exploring the hot water beach, then drove to Auckland for the show. That was a memorable day.

[bjorn_skurj]

Just before the Hartford show last month, I impressed the hell out of my friends by ordering a Maker's Mark, neat, and drinking it all in one gulp.

[moxiebean]

Nov. 2002 we had tickets to see Wilco for the first time in Gainesville, FL. Our vehicle blew a fuel pump on I-95 on the drive down on the day of the show, about 45 miles from home. It was a Sunday afternoon so no auto repair shops were open. Called AAA, had the car towed home to our local auto garage, then walked home and watched football instead.

[Excitable Boy]

While my girlfriend and I were waiting in line last summer at Redrocks it started pouring down rain. I mean like a downpour. The sky just opened up and unleashed it. Everybody's stuff started to get washed away and everyone crowded under these guys' tent thing for cover. There were like twenty something people stuffed under this tent, and everyone was just drunk, dancing, and holding onto the edges of the tent to keep it from blowing away. It was ridiculous. And suddenly it all stopped and the sun came out. It turned out to be one of the most beautiful nights and one of the most memorable experiences of my life. The weather, the scenery, and the band were all perfect, especially from the 5th row.

That's weather in the mountains for you.

[The High Heat]

Downtown Raleigh, September 2004, my first Wilco show, went with my friend, Ryan. Had more than an hour to kill before the concert, went strolling around looking for a place to grab dinner. Nothing open and no one around we became concerned when a young homeless person approached asking for money. Ryan told him we can't give him money, but we'd buy him dinner if he'd show us where to go. He led us away from the venue toward an apparently desolate area. I began to hang back a couple steps to create a little space between the three of us just in case something was happening. I especially got nervous when he led us around a corner onto a narrow street. I thought it was going to be an alley, but it turned out to be the City Market area, which showcases artisan shops, galleries and restaurants. We enjoy a very large and fabulous pizza at Vic's Italian Restaurant. While eating we were entertained by an elderly Italian man, who played soft, traditional music from Italy on his accoustic guitar. Not all the staff seemed to appreciate us bringing in a homeless man into their establishment, but if it weren't fir Kenneth, Ryan and I would have probably had to eat at McDonald's; so we slipped him a few bucks and went on to see what turned out to be a fantastic Wilco show.

[theashtraysays]

On the plus side, I played golf with my 67YO mom before the Indy show a couple years ago on my mini-palooza birthday trek to Radiohead and Wilco.

 

On the minus side, I got a speeding ticket on my way back from the Iroquois show in Louisville when I was ALMOST all the way home.

[choo-choo-charlie]

While my girlfriend and I were waiting in line last summer at Redrocks it started pouring down rain. I mean like a downpour. The sky just opened up and unleashed it. Everybody's stuff started to get washed away and everyone crowded under these guys' tent thing for cover. There were like twenty something people stuffed under this tent, and everyone was just drunk, dancing, and holding onto the edges of the tent to keep it from blowing away. It was ridiculous. And suddenly it all stopped and the sun came out. It turned out to be one of the most beautiful nights and one of the most memorable experiences of my life. The weather, the scenery, and the band were all perfect, especially from the 5th row.

That's weather in the mountains for you.

 

My wife and I were at that show. We were driving in the rain and thought "oh sh*t" to ourselves, considering we were in from Kansas City to see the show (and hang out at the family cabin) and didn't want it to get canceled. But like you said - it turned out to be an incredible night!!!

[The Inside of Outside]

Sure the shows are great, but the events surrounding them are nearly just as memorable, no?

 

After my first Wilco show, we went to IHOP in Kenmore Square, where I ordered the soup of the day (stoned much?) - the waitress, a cutie, replied: "You don't order soup at IHOP."

Hilarious....

 

Just before the Hartford show last month, I impressed the hell out of my friends by ordering a Maker's Mark, neat, and drinking it all in one gulp.

Impressive!

 

After the show at The Town Hall in NYC in 1999, went to the ESPN restaurant for food and drink (after much drink before the show). One of our group, a Wilco newbie, couldn't stop yelling, "That was the best concert ever!" to the consternation of others around us. He then mistakenly ordered the Buffalo Chicken Salad (he had wanted the Buffalo Wings). Never seen someone so depressed by a salad. He made it home in the back of the car, but the Buffalo Chicken Salad ended up on the pavement somewhere between NYC and Greenwich.

[barbkm]

In 2007, I drove from NJ to MA to see them at the Pines Theater.. traffic was so bad that a 3 hour drive took 5. I pretty much put the pedal to the medal for most of the drive. I arrived at the hotel, and went to leave for the show and my car made a sound that could only be described as a dragon sighing. Turned out, I blew a belt on the air conditioner. The mechanic said I had a 70% chance of getting home. Luckily, I got to the show and home okay.. and it was a kick as show.

 

On a happy note, 2006, Starland Ballroom ..my first Wilco show. I hung out by the buses for about 2 hours after the show .. and had a great time with the small group of die hards who were standing by the buses -- in the rain-- with me. Met everyone but Mikel and Jeff, but Jason T gave us pizza and John actually hung for awhile with us. That was a great night!