Jeff Tweedy solo benefit show at the Vic - 3-14-2013

[H.Stone]

 I'm really grateful that he opted for "Nothing Up My Sleeve" over a more familiar second choice last night. (Sorry for going obscure!) For the record, I don't think any verses were left out.

 

I think the only thing he "missed" (or rather, that was different from the one recording I have of the song) is whistling a verse and then picking up the vocals with "it's not that I don't care at all" a final time. But "missed" is relative--it was a treat hearing that live. I'd only heard it live once before! And I haven't listened to that recording in awhile, so my memory may be faulty. But thanks for the great request; it was memorable.

[linclink]

http://www.thebarnpresents.com/setlist-jeff-tweedy-vic-theater-chicago-il-31413-12945.html
 

 

"Night two is in the books.  Audience requests, dedications and covers all made their way back into the song list on Thursday for Jeff’s set at the Vic.

There’s a six song video playlist below… the version of Casino Queen and the hilarious Q&A beforehand are must hears.

Jeff Tweedy
March 14, 2013
Vic Theater, Chicago, IL

Via Chicago, Hummingbird, Poor Places, Please Tell My Brother, I Wanna Be Your Dog, She’s A Jar, Henry & The H-Bombs, Art Of Almost, One By One, Sky Blue Sky, Satan Your Kingdom Must Come Down (dedicated to the Pope), Nothing Up My Sleeve, Listening To The Wind That Blows (Woody Guthrie), When The Roses Bloom Again, Hotel Arizona, Country Disappeared, Can’t Stand It, Someday Soon (started/restarted 3x), We’ve Been Had, Passenger Side, Monday, Gun, The Late Greats, Airline To Heaven, I’m The Man Who Loves You (dedicated to Susie)

Encore
The Community Song, Casino Queen (country version “LouFest” arranagement), Acuff Rose (no amplification)"

[jsarnerphoto]

On a side note, I had a great time at both shows, from meeting everyone in line, to nearly getting hit by a car as I fetched a box out of the Tweedy's trunk, to passing out during the first night and rebounding for the 2nd...

 

Haha- I tried to warn you that you were going to black out and miss part of the show...right about when you busted out those pictures of your dog. The best part was watching you listening to the recording the next day and saying "oh my god, he played that? Awesome!"

[Gewee]

I was up front and aside from the truly annoying flash photography, I was surpirsed by the amount video being taken. In the past Jeff disarmed the videographers with a well chosen, direct line or two. I did tell the gal next to me that Wilco asks its fans not to video performances, but she just looked at me like I was speaking Klingon. Oh well, I tired.

[hinko]

I think preferred B was right on saying that Jeff let some of the photo and video action go. I can't imagine him not at least mentioning it in a normal show. I can understand why he didn't want to make an issue of it at a benefit show, it would have been very awkward and probably would have been worse than the photography itself although that was terribly annoying. Especially when they aren't even smart enough to turn off the shutter sound!  I'm sure I would have been much more upset if I would have had to see all of the lighted screens in front of me. That makes me crazy!  I remember being at the Metro show in the balcony and it was a sea of phones on the floor, pretty ridiculous. I get it, as I said before, I've taken a quick video myself but I cover the screen as to not irritate others. I think they need to make an official policy about this at some point. In fact, if I'm not wrong they don't allow cameras any longer? Or is that by venue? Anyway, it's is as bad or worse than talking during the show IMO. It just gets worse too. Someone sees everyone else doing it and they feel it's okay and do it also. End rant.

[Rodion]

Haha- I tried to warn you that you were going to black out and miss part of the show...right about when you busted out those pictures of your dog. The best part was watching you listening to the recording the next day and saying "oh my god, he played that? Awesome!"

 

Yes, all of these things you say are facts.  

 

For me, I think that from the moment Amber and I got in line til the end of the 2nd night, it was just like being in this clip:

 

 

For anyone who hasn't done on of these shows before, I have to say that it was one of the most amazing experiences I've had (awake or asleep).  I had been in line early at a couple Wilco shows before this, but this was the first show where I got to meet some real fans of Jeff Tweedy and the band, and it was a ton of fun just exchanging stories and getting to know you people.  I'm a pretty social person (I'm discovering), and it was nice that everyone was equally as welcoming.  On top of that, just getting to exchange a few words with Jeff after The Long Cut was great.

 

Am I crazy?  Amber thinks I am this super obsessed fan sometimes, and I do feel like a bit of a fool.  When I got home, the first thing I wanted to do was play a bit of the show for my wife (thanks, Josh and Kevin!).  On the flight home, I was listening to the shows from last year, and when I closed my eyes, I could picture myself sitting in the front row with a Coors Light + lime, next to Deb, Dianne, and the other rabid fans as if I were there myself.  Okay, maybe I am a little crazy about this whole thing, but I guess that of all the things to be crazy about, this isn't that bad.

 

On a final note, Jeff told me to find a new project, and I have one.  Hopefully he'll be as accommodating next year as he was this one.  Highlights for me were (besides my requests of course), Henry & The H-Bombs, Pot Kettle Black, I'm Only Sleeping, and We've Been Had.  Actually, there were very few sounds that I wasn't too enamored with.  To sum it up, if you're reading this and didn't come this year, come next March, and it'd be great to meet you.

[bsleeman]

Great show - this was my second benefit show (saw Night 2 last year as well) and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  The relaxed atmosphere and fun performance make it a real treat and very unique among the many dozens of shows I've seen from a wide variety of artists.

 

I, too, was on the floor - in fact you can see the view that I had in the YouTube videos embedded up above this post, as they were recorded by me.  

 

I agree that the blue cell phone squares get annoying and ridiculous.  And so in an attempt to avoid contributing to the electric light pollution, I set the light on the phone down to the dimmest level and hold it at chest level so as not to block the view of the folks behind me.  I doubt the people sitting three feet behind me had any idea I was recording a handful of songs.  Could I have gotten a better angle holding it up over my head?  Of course, but then who wants to be that jerk?  I didn't come to the show to view it through your shaky camera in front of my face, and neither did you mine.  I hope my recordings prove that you don't have to be an ignorant idiot to get a little document without having any sort of negative impact on your concert-going neighbors.

I'm fortunate enough to be able to attend and enjoy these shows thanks to Jeff, and my little videos are meant only to share that fortune with people who could not be there and provide a rough little souvenir for those of us who were.  What's the general consensus on that type of behavior?

 

And of course, if Jeff would prefer me not to record at all, or to take my handful of YouTube videos down, I would happily oblige.

[dagwave]

Prince just played a show at SXSW, sponsored by Samsung Galaxy no less: NO CAMERA PHONES, enforced.

 

So if Prince can make it happen....why not Jeff (and the boys)?

[Yaz Rock]

They did, on the 2010 "Evening With" tour for sure. Then the ban seemed to slowly erode.

[Pennyghael]

Prince just played a show at SXSW, sponsored by Samsung Galaxy no less: NO CAMERA PHONES, enforced.

 

So if Prince can make it happen....why not Jeff (and the boys)?

 

All well and good but could you imagine the change in atmosphere at Wilco/JT shows if security were regularly wading through the crowds and disposing of phones etc. An announcement over the PA just before the band goes on maybe the way to go, or maybe allow photos for the first song as they do for professionals. As annoying as the camera phones are, I'm sure it's preferable to security all over everyone.

 

If the band were to go down the same road as Prince then I think as fans we should demand at least three costume changes per show from Jeff...... 

[MKHstudios]

The best handling of the 'camera / phone annoyance' situation is in Dallas at the Granada Theater.  Here it is taken care of by the venue - not the artist.  First off, the security force has a different attitude than your normal thug-like security guards and always opts for the less confrontational solution.  A closer look reveals the back of their shirts say "serenity" not "security".  

 

Upon entering the venue there are all sorts of signs stating the "no camera" policy - it is made very clear.  But the cool thing is they offer an option for the concert goer to get high quality photos.  In the lobby near where the merch is sold there is a signup sheet.  All you have to do is give an email address and you will receive a message a day or so after the show with a link to professionally taken photos that are un-watermarked and downloadable.  

 

There is not a video option, but a majority of performers are not cool with video being taken at live shows.  With this being a pretty much known fact it is too bad so many people opt to shoot video with their cell phones (crappy shaky video at that).  They do it because they can get away with it.  Before cell phone videos were these same people sneaking in camcorders?  The answer is no.  Claiming you take video to share with the people that could not attend a certain show is a total cop out.  How about respecting and honoring the wishes of the artist you are there to see....?.....

 

Wilco/Tweedy video policy taken from the Wilco website.... (read last line)

 

Photo and Taping Policies

1. NO CAMERAS PERMITTED: Still or Video. Professional photographers MUST obtain a photo pass via Wilco's management or publicist. No exceptions. Please be considerate of others.
2. We ask that you refrain from using your cell phones, updating Facebook, checking your e-mail, texting your friends, etc. both while driving and during concerts.
3. Wilco does permit audio taping and trading of live performances wherever it does not conflict with venue or other restrictions beyond our control. We do not allow direct soundboard patches. Wilco supports the free trading of live recordings for non-commercial purposes. We do not allow filming or video of any type without prior written permission.

 

 

[bsleeman]

My apologies - I didn't take a look at the Wilco site for that notice before filming those, although that would have been a very easy thing to do.  My bad.

[Magnetized]

I think if you do a little searching on youtube you'll notice that those rules are more honored in the breach than the observance.

 

I'm torn about this issue. I almost never record anything because I suck at it and because I'm usually up front and don't want to be THAT obvious. I guess if forced to weigh in one way or another, I would say one shouldn't do it. However, if I really thought it was horrible I wouldn't be out there on youtube checking out those videos that other people recorded. So I can't be too judgmental. I think it's a line drawing thing--be respectful of the artist and your fellow concertgoers and be reasonable.

[winterland121072]

any audio tapers detected / observed for either night?

[hinko]

any audio tapers detected / observed for either night?

There were at least 2 each night.

[TheSunCaughtFire]

First time in Chicago and first time at these shows at the Vic and I have completely fallen in love with both!  The genie is out of the bottle and there is no turning back... so this just became an annual road trip for me!  I met some great people in line (the time passed much faster than I ever expected!) - and it was nice to find like minded fans to share the experience with.  Looking forward  to Solid Sound...I'll bring the "double doubles" and ketchup chips ;-)

[Magnetized]

 Looking forward  to Solid Sound...I'll bring the "double doubles" and ketchup chips ;-)

I believe you forgot the Log Cabin whiskey to go with those double doubles. Or was that an intentional omission?

[TheSunCaughtFire]

I believe you forgot the Log Cabin whiskey to go with those double doubles. Or was that an intentional omission?

ahh yes, what was I thinking!  Well Cabin Fever isn't sold here, but there is a substitute!

[Rodion]

ahh yes, what was I thinking!  Well Cabin Fever isn't sold here, but there is a substitute!

 

I would like to believe that Cabin Fever is not the standard by which we pick our in-line whiskies.

[TheSunCaughtFire]

I would like to believe that Cabin Fever is not the standard by which we pick our in-line whiskies.

Apparently I have no standards...I'm not (normally) even a whisky drinker!

[betweenfloors]

I'm dying to get a recording of this show. Anyone know where I might find it?