jakobnicholas Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 Late chiming in, but a really fantastic show....Nick Lowe and Wilco both. Lowe's set was greater than I expected..."Lately I've Let Things Slide" and "Allison" were the highlights for me. Just about a perfect mix in the setlist from Wilco. They understandably stayed heavy on The Whole Love and all those songs sounded great, especially Dawned On Me and Standing O (those songs should be staples here on out). And the sampling distribution from the other records was nice If I had to pick 3 highlights, I couldn't. So I'll try to pick 4: - Less Than You Think (surprising opening song and sounded lovely).- Someday Soon (unexpected and a fun, rollicking version).- Impossible Germany (This song always DESTROYS live...hard not to get goosebumps during the jam.)- You And I (Surprised at myself for liking this so much. This simple, beautiful song sounded so nice in the middle of a mostly-rocking setlist). Of course, the "Cruel To Be Kind" closer with Lowe is beyond words...just so cool for me to see one of my favorite "oldies" to be played live with one of my favorite bands as backup. Nels short mid-song guitar jam was perfect. Wilco, thanks for the really awesome night! You guys really are best live American band right now. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nodep5 Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 A couple thoughts: seen wilco on every tour except the last one (wilco the album tour). They will likely never match the emotional intensity of the Being There and Summer Teeth tours, but on a positive: I was flat out entertained. The setlist was really nice and diverse and the sound was great, the lighting and all that jazz was great. Bottom line, these guys have become true entertaining professionals and for that they deserve credit for putting on a great show. The down side for me is, I feel in all of those chops and professionalism something has been lost. (or maybe it is me). Especially Jeff seems kind of passive or going throught the motions a tad, especially on Someday Soon New Madrid, Box ( kind of like, this will make some folks happy but I'm not feeling it really) I don't know, maybe it is just because I'm no longer up front and getting sweated upon, but I feel it has all become a tad too professional. At worse an indie rock DMB situation. Hell Neil Young understood the benefit of rolling out the old crazy horse to bring him back down to the planet. This is weird for me, because I had a great time, but feel like I'm complaining. Probably just nostalgic about the BT tours and having Jeff threatening to throw guitars at me (i know this was at every show during Kingpin, but he appeared to really want to throw the guitar). It was a good time and the opener of Less Than you think/art of almost was freaking awesome, like pink floyd playing metal music Quote Link to post Share on other sites
choo-choo-charlie Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 I went in really wanting a rocking opener. Then they played Less Than You Think, and I actually couldn't have been happier about it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jakobnicholas Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 A couple thoughts: seen wilco on every tour except the last one (wilco the album tour). They will likely never match the emotional intensity of the Being There and Summer Teeth tours, but on a positive: I was flat out entertained. /> I agree with a lot of your post, but I kind of understand or accept the reality of the situation.I also loved the early Wilco shows, but at the same time appreciate what they can do now. The shows with Bennett will be forever un-matched to me...there was a mystery about the guys on the stage and Jeff always looked on edge back then. It really made for an intense show. And one my favorite all-time shows was in St. Louis, shortly after Bennett was announced to be gone, and it was just Jeff, John, Glenn and Leroy. I wasn't sure how they were gonna play the songs, but loved how they did.But I give HUGE credit to Jeff and the current band for putting on fun, entertaining shows that show off the amazing skill of its members....and yet still make great attempts at pushing themselves artistically. The guys aren't in their late 20's and 30's anymore...I think most of the "problem" is something they can't change. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
REH Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 I also think a show -- not only Wilco, but with most bands -- feels differently when you're seated vs. when you're "upfront & being sweated on." (Not necessarily where YOU choose to sit, more that the overall energy -- of those onstage, even -- is different at seated venues vs. GA.) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ghost of Electricity Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 holy crap new madrid! i haven't been paying any attention to the setlists recently- was this the "first" time? Does anyone know when the last time (prior to this tour) that any UT material has seen the light of day? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
choo-choo-charlie Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 Here's another review: http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_content.php?article_id=23332&full=yes&pbr=1. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bböp Posted December 5, 2011 Author Share Posted December 5, 2011 holy crap new madrid! i haven't been paying any attention to the setlists recently- was this the "first" time? Does anyone know when the last time (prior to this tour) that any UT material has seen the light of day? They play New Madrid from time to time, usually in Missouri or the general area. That's pretty much the only UT material that gets played these days, at least at full-band Wilco gigs. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bböp Posted December 5, 2011 Author Share Posted December 5, 2011 This digresses from the actual topic of how was the SHOW, but as the #1 (little redhead) in line, a few notes regarding the logistics: The guy who made the decision to let the bar-crowd in early is actually the OWNER of the Uptown, which surprised me. Earlier, the decision had NOT been to handle it that way, which is why I originally stayed in line after having been there since 1pm. Once he decided to pull a switch, he came & pulled me inside, I think because he knew I was about to get screwed otherwise. It was a VERY strange deal. Typically, the artist chooses -- or not -- to sell early-entry-lounge passes at the Uptown (like Bon Iver did), so probably not cool for management to supersede that. I know I got lucky, but I will say at least I recognized many of the faces upfront at being people who waited outside with me (& stayed), so that was a relief. I do feel badly for those who weren't as fortunate. Thanks for the further clarifications on the line shenanigans. It would have to be the owner (or a manager) who could have made the decision to let the bar crowd in first. People were yelling at security, but of course they were only doing what they were told (though clearly security had been lied to as well because they were saying the bar crowd were VIPs). Bottom line, though, it was handled in a bush-league way and it was cool of Jeff to at least say something about it. I do realize that some of the people up front were people who had waited in the rain as well and I felt badly that some took Jeff's comments as singling them out for not deserving to be there or something (check out the comments in the KC Star review), but the fault clearly rested with the apparent owner of the Uptown, who made the decision to let bar folks in first despite informing the rest of the line that that wouldn't happen. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DrNo Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 I'm wondering if Jeff is getting tired of the douchebag factor (the whooping out at inappropriate in the song).I told my son that there would be some DB cheering out when when the 'it's you God I don't believe in..." and I was correct. TheDB Factor is killing us all. Why would cheering out for that line in particular make you a douchebag? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 I have a few black holes in my personal music history, so our conversation about Lowe and Stiff records precipitated some internet excavation. Nick Lowe, Ian Dury, Dave Edmunds and Elvis Costello were all familiar names to me. Yet except for Costello, occupied only peripheral awareness.I hope you found this during your research - an excellent BBC doc from a while back. All parts are on YouTube if you look at the 'More From' list http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iSzS9lGBbo The clip you posted takes me back - one of the alternate shows to the 'trad' Top of the Pops at the time, and the clothes in the crowd were a more accurate reflection of actual punk fashion. In similar vein I would also recommend 'Oil City Confidential' as another great film about music around those times - and Dr. Feelgood in particular. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 ... Continued This is not from that film, but some footage features, and it's a nice long segment of Feelgood action (after the first 1:30 of Southend Pier!) 6:40-ish Watch Wilko go! And still often confused with the one and only over here ... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Plumplechook Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CZMLs8Ke40 Top man Flashheart! The best rock documentary I've ever seen. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
choo-choo-charlie Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 Thanks for the further clarifications on the line shenanigans. It would have to be the owner (or a manager) who could have made the decision to let the bar crowd in first. People were yelling at security, but of course they were only doing what they were told (though clearly security had been lied to as well because they were saying the bar crowd were VIPs). Bottom line, though, it was handled in a bush-league way and it was cool of Jeff to at least say something about it. I do realize that some of the people up front were people who had waited in the rain as well and I felt badly that some took Jeff's comments as singling them out for not deserving to be there or something (check out the comments in the KC Star review), but the fault clearly rested with the apparent owner of the Uptown, who made the decision to let bar folks in first despite informing the rest of the line that that wouldn't happen. Beware the comments on KC Star. It doesn't matter what review it is -- some of the most infuriating, laughable, idiotic, and insane internet trolls hang out there like it's a full-time job. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bböp Posted December 5, 2011 Author Share Posted December 5, 2011 Beware the comments on KC Star. It doesn't matter what review it is -- some of the most infuriating, laughable, idiotic, and insane internet trolls hang out there like it's a full-time job. Yeah, I'm sure. I was mainly thinking of the Facebook message that the critic apparently got from someone and then posted in the comments section. I'm sure there's plenty of cranks on KC Star, just as there are on Brooklyn Vegan or any other Internet forum. It's an unfortunate byproduct of the anonymity the Internet offers... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
choo-choo-charlie Posted December 5, 2011 Share Posted December 5, 2011 Yeah, I'm sure. I was mainly thinking of the Facebook message that the critic apparently got from someone and then posted in the comments section. I'm sure there's plenty of cranks on KC Star, just as there are on Brooklyn Vegan or any other Internet forum. It's an unfortunate byproduct of the anonymity the Internet offers... Finn rarely gets involved in the comments. 99% of the time when his name appears in the comments it's because someone just identified themselves that way since one can enter a different name every time they comment... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bböp Posted December 5, 2011 Author Share Posted December 5, 2011 Finn rarely gets involved in the comments. 99% of the time when his name appears in the comments it's because someone just identified themselves that way since one can enter a different name every time they comment... Brilliant. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sweet Papa Crimbo Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 Why would cheering out for that line in particular make you a douchebag? It the cheering period in the middle of a quiet reflective song. It's akin to somebody screaming out during Remember the Mountain Bed. If you need to have your existence validated by shouting out in the middle of a quiet song, then, I'm sorry, I call it a douchebag move. Happens in every concert situation where there is a quiet intimate moment. Noah, You've heard it a million times as have I. Don't try to tell you me you haven't thought "what a douchebag" when it happens. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
M. (hristine Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 Also, the guy who fell down in front, has a bad hip & slipped on the metal grate in front of the barrier, just FYI.That is unfortunate. I hope he was ok.His crumpling upon my feet was completely unexpected as he did not appear to be intoxicated. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
M. (hristine Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 I hope you found this during your research - an excellent BBC doc from a while back. All parts are on YouTube if you look at the 'More From' list I did in fact run across If It Ain't Stiff, and wondered whether it would be a good doc.The subject seems dense with possibility. I will make a point to watch both of those films, Andrew. Thanks! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
taint misbehavin Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 I had a damn good time at the show. Here is one of my favorite shots that I took that night: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DrNo Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 Noah, You've heard it a million times as have I. Don't try to tell you me you haven't thought "what a douchebag" when it happens. I dunno, I think it can be quite cathartic at times. Besides, atheists/agnostics don't have a lot of lines to cheer about in popular song--I imagine that line means a lot to many people. It certainly does for me. When I saw Son Volt on the Trace tour everybody cheered during the "Could be Tennessee or Texas/on and on the mad road winds" line in "Too Early," and it was one of those concert moments I'll never forget. I see your point, but I think it depends on the context. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sweet Papa Crimbo Posted December 6, 2011 Share Posted December 6, 2011 I dunno, I think it can be quite cathartic at times. Besides, atheists/agnostics don't have a lot of lines to cheer about in popular song--I imagine that line means a lot to many people. It certainly does for me. When I saw Son Volt on the Trace tour everybody cheered during the "Could be Tennessee or Texas/on and on the mad road winds" line in "Too Early," and it was one of those concert moments I'll never forget. I see your point, but I think it depends on the context. It's not about the God, no God thing. It's one guy saying 'look at me' in the middle of a quiet, contemplative song. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
-seven Posted December 7, 2011 Share Posted December 7, 2011 I had a damn good time at the show. Here is one of my favorite shots that I took that night: Nice pic. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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