Wilco — 07/11/11, Basel, Switzerland

[bböp]

Just posted a brief recap and setlist here.

[50footqueenie]

Always beware French truck stops! Just when I thought Paul was bailing out of intense touring, I congratulate him in his determination to get from the north of Germany to Switzerland to report for us. See you in Berlin sir!

[ElScorcho]

Thanks for posting the setlist, confirms my notes, too. I'm reposting the list here just to add song numbers and start/finish times.

 

(the band takes the stage at 9:19)

1. Dawned On Me

2. I Might

3. I am trying to break your heart>

4. One Wing

5. Bull Black Nova

6. Radio Cure

7. Born Alone

8. Hummingbird

9. The Whole Love

10. Handshake Drugs

11. Jesus, etc

12. Capitol City>

13. I'm the man who loves you

14. Standing O

15. Country Disappeared

16. Impossible Germany

17. One Sunday Morning

18. Poor Places>

19. Art of Almost

----------

(encore starts at 11:00)

20. Via Chicago

21. Forget the Flowers

22. Theologians

23. War on War

24. A Shot in the Arm

25. Heavy Metal Drummer

(band leaves the stage at 11:25)

 

Despite having followed the band for more than a few years now, this was my first live show. I'd agree with Mr. Cheeztastic that the sound was slightly subpar, I thought the vocals were a bit low at times and the big, noisy endings lost a lot of clarity in the space. I also think this was probably a "safe" setlist for an unknown audience. The songs came from:

 

The Whole Love (8)

YHF (7)

WTA (3)

AGIB (3)

Summerteeth (2)

SBS (1)

Being There (1)

 

That being said, the crowd was really into it and very appreciative. Though I would've liked to have heard a few more tracks from further back in the catalogue, the crowd energy was pretty infectious and really came through on new tracks like Born Alone and big songs like Impossible Germany and A Shot in the Arm. I guess that's a bit old hat for Wilco veterans, but it was effective and hard not to enjoy. This produced some really great moments: IATTBYH was the first number that lots of the crowd sang and really built up the show's momentum. Nels' IG solo was a bit extended and strayed further from the recorded version; he did some excellent finger-picked runs that had the crowd going wild. Other sections felt a bit extended (though I may have been lost in the moment), like the end of Born Alone and of A Shot in the Arm. Via Chicago was, as usual, a rewarding encore opener, particularly when the band comes in big and loud after the second noisier bit.

 

All in all, I thought it was a good introduction to actually being at all a live show instead of just listening to various recordings.

[bböp]

Always beware French truck stops! Just when I thought Paul was bailing out of intense touring, I congratulate him in his determination to get from the north of Germany to Switzerland to report for us. See you in Berlin sir!

 

What, did you think I'd retired? And for that matter, can't I?

 

Well, someday it'll happen and it'll be left to you to pick up the slack. I'm happy to report that I'm still kicking, though, and God willing, will make it to Berlin in a few days' time to properly hoist a stein with you and your better half (and others).

 

There wasn't much banter at the show last night, but the French truck stop bit was gold. Poor Jeff, though. He really didn't look well for the first half of the show. Then maybe his performers' stubbornness to persevere kicked in. Wilco band and crew have had some pretty rotten luck at French truck stops over the years, though, haven't they? First, Stan getting left behind a few years ago and now this lentil incident...

 

(Waited for years to use that emoticon!)

[Albert Tatlock]

 

Thanks SetListGuy!

[virtualreason]

Holy crap! Way to completely redesign the set! Love it