TWEEDY — 9/28/14, Portland, ME (State Theatre)

[bböp]

Guess I gotta start one of these threads! Kind of a weirdly subdued "crowd" (well, what crowd there was), but a fun show nonetheless. More later if no one else chimes in.

But for now, here was the complete setlist as played:

Nobody Dies Anymore
Honey Combed
Flowering
Summer Noon
World Away
New Moon
High As Hello
Desert Bell
new song-Why Why Why
Love Like A Wire [Diane Izzo]
Hazel
Low Key
Fake Fur Coat
Diamond Light, Pt. 1
I Am Trying To Break Your Heart*
Forget The Flowers*
Passenger Side*
Gun*
Please Tell My Brother*
Hesitating Beauty*
Kicking Television* ("hotel lobby" version)
Theologians*
A Shot In The Arm*
Jesus, etc.*
I'm The Man Who Loves You*
----------------------------------
Please Don't Let Me Be So Understood
Only The Lord Knows
You Are Not Alone
Give Back The Key To My Heart [Doug Sahm]
California Stars

* — Jeff solo acoustic

[Cam Jones]

I did find it strange that they came back to Maine so soon after playing a couple months ago. Wasnt packed. There were 4 drunk dudes right near me in the front row who were pretty annoying but got Jeff to banter a little bit. I could tell he was kind of getting flustered. A lot of people taking pictures on their phone too. I noticed him waving at people to stop during the first song. 

pretty bold to play 14+ (pretty much) new songs. I've grown to like them the more I've listened. Jeffs voice was on point during the solo set. I really miss hearing him sing high! 
Big thing that bugged me- the bassist. I'm sure he's a great dude, seems like he would be. But his stage moves really put me off. Almost laughable in an embarrassing way. 

Over all a great show! 2 hours! Looking forward to the inevitable Tweedy reunion at Solid Sound next year! 

[Cam Jones]

 also - Hospitality (the opener) was so boring. No engaging the crowd and nobody looked like they were having any fun what so ever. They had a couple decent numbers. The lead singer had this disgusted look on her face at times and then I noticed she was pregnant after she took her guitar off. She must have some serious morning sickness. Over all I was kind of bummed they were so disengaged. Thats a great opportunity to open for someone like Jeff and it seemed kind of wasted to me. 

[Magnetized]

Small random thought--I saw a picture of the printed setlist from this show on Twitter and Jesus Wept was on it, but it looks like it was swapped out for You Are Not Alone. Same thing happened at the Philadelphia show last Sunday. I wonder if there's something about that song that keeps causing game time decisions to swap it out?

[Magnetized]

Big thing that bugged me- the bassist. I'm sure he's a great dude, seems like he would be. But his stage moves really put me off. Almost laughable in an embarrassing way. 

 

Wow, I completely disagree, but I've heard at least one other person say the same thing as you. I think Darin's joy at being onstage shines through in his performance, and I find his exuberance really refreshing. There seems to be a lot of communication going on between him and Spencer onstage, too. 

 

There was a funny moment at Newport Folk Fest when Mavis was onstage with the band singing Only the Lord Knows. She was looking to her right and at some point Darin did a big rock star jump just as Mavis was turning in his direction. She kind of jumped back in surprise but very quickly got right in time with him and was grinning and pumping a fist. 

 

It also doesn't hurt that he seems to be the sweetest guy in the world, so all in all I think he makes a very positive contribution. To each his own, I guess.

[bböp]

I did find it strange that they came back to Maine so soon after playing a couple months ago. Wasnt packed.

Jeff even acknowledged as much as one point, saying that the free show "might have taken a bite out of the paid one" and joking that "I do all our booking, so that might have been an oversight on my part."

[notary]

Wow, I completely disagree, but I've heard at least one other person say the same thing as you. I think Darin's joy at being onstage shines through in his performance, and I find his exuberance really refreshing. There seems to be a lot of communication going on between him and Spencer onstage, too. 

 

 

Went to two shows this weekend.  In the first, from the mezzanine, his movements were...amusing.  I might have caught a little of the robot in there.  Night two, from up close, it was much less obvious.  And one thing was clear, he's a heck of a player, and really enjoys playing these songs.   Hard to complain about that. 

[Bosco]

Went to two shows this weekend.  In the first, from the mezzanine, his movements were...amusing.  I might have caught a little of the robot in there.  Night two, from up close, it was much less obvious.  And one thing was clear, he's a heck of a player, and really enjoys playing these songs.   Hard to complain about that. 

 

 

He's clearly having fun and there is no question he's a great bass player however it appears to me as though he's a little out of his element and perhaps going though a what am I suppose to do here syndrome.  It would be funny to see him in a band with Pat, who else could be in my imaginary band The Rock n Roll Posers?

[worldrecordplayer]

Big thing that bugged me- the bassist. I'm sure he's a great dude, seems like he would be. But his stage moves really put me off. Almost laughable in an embarrassing way. 

 

 

One of my friends felt the same way, but I'm in the opposite camp.  I love his enthusiasm for the music and playing.  To me he looks like someone who is having so much fun. Totally into the music. I'm actually jealous!  And I enjoy his bass playing.

[Cam Jones]

I suppose it's a fine line. Pat has stage moves that suit him and he does them when it's "appropriate" (song songs like Monday where he does a windmill) and it comes off pretty naturally. Pat looks like he walked out of 1974. This guys moves looked totally ridiculous from third row center and kind of took me out of the show a little. 
I'm a musician as well and find a lot of joy in playing on stage. No fault in anybody enjoying themselves. I just understand where the "focus" should be I suppose. ie - Not walking to the front of the stage and raising his bass up with a rock face while the band is playing a quiet folk number. 

[twoshedsjackson]

Big thing that bugged me- the bassist. I'm sure he's a great dude, seems like he would be. But his stage moves really put me off. Almost laughable in an embarrassing way.

It's like watching the Tin Man audition for Devo.

But as you said, he seems like a nice guy and he's a very good player. If that's how he expresses himself, so be it.

[smells like flowers]

I suppose it's a fine line. Pat has stage moves that suit him and he does them when it's "appropriate" (song songs like Monday where he does a windmill) and it comes off pretty naturally. Pat looks like he walked out of 1974.

 

Pat's moves add to the show, for sure. Also, he doesn't do them every time, which makes it more entertaining when he's really "on."

[radiowilco]

It was such a beautiful day in northen New England yesterday - I got up early and after a short run - decided to drive over to Portland for the show from Burlington.  I really dig Portland and it was nice to be able to enjoy their downtown, buy some records at Bull Moose, and eat some oysters down on the waterfront.  This was my first time at The State and I thought it was great.  Higher Ground books all the acts at The State and manages the venue as well.  As a Burlingtonian, we are starting to see some of cool back-to-back booking between The State and The Flynn - like the two Ryan Adams shows earlier this summer.  As bbop noted, Jeff did take notice that LL Bean free show earlier in the summer may have put a crimp in ticket sales for last nights show.  I think Burlington will turn out tonight and represent our small, little city well... 

 

I am still wading through the new record which I didn't receive from Kung Fu until a couple of days after the release.  I watched the webcast from BAM (which I thought was great) and listened to the CD a few time through on my drive over to Portland yesterday.  I am really, I mean really, liking this record a lot.  I know that some find it to long, a bit unfocused etc... but it is totally working for me.  I do think the ladies of Lucius add greatly to the record on the tunes they contribute to (particularly High as Hello), and I thought they were a real value add at the BAM show.  I found myself wanting their voices on those songs and not the voices of Jim, Spencer and Liam.  This, however, did not get in the way of what I thought was an excellent show all the way around.

 

Highlights for me included Nobody Dies Anymore, World Away, New Moon, Low Key, Fake Fur Coat (that song kicks ass) and Diamond Light, Pt. 1.  Loved the Diane Izzo cover!  Great to see to Jeff play Gun
(it's been a while), and I loved the Please Tell My Brother > Hesitating Beauty sequence of the solo set.  Also, the entire five song set to close the show was terrific.  It looked they might do another one - but Jeff waved off his guitar tech..

 

Lots of talk about Darin in this thread - whatever - he can totally play.  Spencer too!  I thought both of them were locked in all night.  Frankly, I think this band is really serving this new group of songs extremely well.

 

I am stoked for a hometown show tonight.  If anyone of you are in Burly looking for suggestions on good eats, good drinks, good walks - ping me here.

[makeshift]

Is there an opener tonite? 

[Cold as Gasoline]

Is there an opener tonite? 

 

I believe Hospitality is the opener tonight.

[The Inside of Outside]

Darin can definitely play. I did not have a problem with his grooving during the upbeat numbers - added some good visual energy that matched the songs. Rock star poses on the mellower songs? A bit distracting at best, seemed silly at worst. But hey, if I was playing bass in Jeff Tweedy's band for several months, I'd probably be so pumped I'd toss in a few flashy moves, too. And maybe even in the waltzes and dirges.

[Lukestar]

Small random thought--I saw a picture of the printed setlist from this show on Twitter and Jesus Wept was on it, but it looks like it was swapped out for You Are Not Alone. Same thing happened at the Philadelphia show last Sunday. I wonder if there's something about that song that keeps causing game time decisions to swap it out?

 

Saw them in Ithaca where they played JESUS WEPT (which was great). When they finished, Jeff said "That's the most worn out song there is", while chuckling. So, I'd agree he's probably game timing it. He's right, btw. It is a beautiful, but worn out song, indeed. 

 

Also, the criticism of Darin the bass player's stage presence is ridiculous. The dude plays great and is feeling it, reacting unaffected, but genuine, as I perceived it. Watch somebody else while you listen and lay off. 

[lost highway]

Yeah, sometimes it takes a hundred shows or two to make that stuff settle into something that looks natural. That's the thing, if you don't choreograph the moves (thank God these guys don't) it's a slow evolution of nightly interaction. When Pat was new I thought his presence was awkward, but the group vibe eases in. Now it's a fun, hammy part of the show.

[knotgreen]

Big thing that bugged me- the bassist. I'm sure he's a great dude, seems like he would be. But his stage moves really put me off. Almost laughable in an embarrassing way. 

 

 

 also - Hospitality (the opener) was so boring. No engaging the crowd and nobody looked like they were having any fun what so ever.

 

Too much fun, not enough fun. Can't win.

[dmhphoto]

Oh Portland, how I love you. My goals were to see Tweedy, to eat local food and have a fancy cocktail. And I must say I was wildly successful on all counts. Even stayed an extra day to explore more restaurants. Just a solid farm-to-table mentalitly at almost every place we went. Highlights were Empire, Boda, Local 188, Eventide, Vinland, 555, Holy Donuts and Hot Suppa. Looking forward to another visit soon to continue the food tour with Duck fat, Hugo's, Nosh and Central Provisions. Butternut squash ravioli with brown butter and pecans, pastrami egg roll, sweet potato glazed donut, oysters and salted butter semi-fredo, some amazing cocktails made with homemade tinctures and a red wine that tasted a bit like dried salami.

 

oh yeah the Tweedy...

I'm always a bit anxious before GA shows because the standing in line factor interferes with exploring a new city (though you do meet some lovely people in line). Definitely wasn't a problem for this show. Basically walked in about 630ish and sat in the second row next to a super cool person. Met 3 Canandians (lovely people as well) who were friends with the loud intoxicated Portland man who decided to talk to Jeff through the entire show. At first it was fine because it was Jeff banter, (who doesn't love Jeff banter) but things escalated and by the end of the show someone from the 3rd row left their seat to yell at him. Despite the drunken behavior I really enjoyed the show. It was my 4th time seeing Tweedy and the third time being at The State Theater.

 

I realize I have more details on the food I ate then of the show but I kind of zone out and go to my happy place when I'm watching Tweedy, (with or without Wilco) and try to stay present. So I'll leave it to others with better memories to comment on the show's details.

 

Looking forward to seeing Wilco at the Ryman in a few weeks. It will be my first time in Nashville so I'm glad I know where I'll be seating so I can go out and explore. And of course find some delicious local dishes (but not friend boloney on white bread, no won't do it)

[tinnitus photography]

Local 188

that place is so good. i love everything about it.

[radiowilco]

Oh Portland, how I love you. My goals were to see Tweedy, to eat local food and have a fancy cocktail. And I must say I was wildly successful on all counts. Even stayed an extra day to explore more restaurants. Just a solid farm-to-table mentalitly at almost every place we went. Highlights were Empire, Boda, Local 188, Eventide, Vinland, 555, Holy Donuts and Hot Suppa. Looking forward to another visit soon to continue the food tour with Duck fat, Hugo's, Nosh and Central Provisions. Butternut squash ravioli with brown butter and pecans, pastrami egg roll, sweet potato glazed donut, oysters and salted butter semi-fredo, some amazing cocktails made with homemade tinctures and a red wine that tasted a bit like dried salami.

 

oh yeah the Tweedy...

I'm always a bit anxious before GA shows because the standing in line factor interferes with exploring a new city (though you do meet some lovely people in line). Definitely wasn't a problem for this show. Basically walked in about 630ish and sat in the second row next to a super cool person. Met 3 Canandians (lovely people as well) who were friends with the loud intoxicated Portland man who decided to talk to Jeff through the entire show. At first it was fine because it was Jeff banter, (who doesn't love Jeff banter) but things escalated and by the end of the show someone from the 3rd row left their seat to yell at him. Despite the drunken behavior I really enjoyed the show. It was my 4th time seeing Tweedy and the third time being at The State Theater.

 

I realize I have more details on the food I ate then of the show but I kind of zone out and go to my happy place when I'm watching Tweedy, (with or without Wilco) and try to stay present. So I'll leave it to others with better memories to comment on the show's details.

 

Looking forward to seeing Wilco at the Ryman in a few weeks. It will be my first time in Nashville so I'm glad I know where I'll be seating so I can go out and explore. And of course find some delicious local dishes (but not friend boloney on white bread, no won't do it)

If you can - go online and try to book a reservation at The Catbird Seat - this is one of the very best restaurants I have ever visited - anywhere.  Spectacularly terrific and inventive.  It's a prefix menu with optional drink and wine pairings.  You can ONLY reserve a seat (or seats) through Open Table.  If they are booked (which is likely, I think) get on the waiting list.  That has worked for me twice in the past.  Also, Etch and The Southern are quite good too - and both are close to The Ryman.

[dmhphoto]

If you can - go online and try to book a reservation at The Catbird Seat - this is one of the very best restaurants I have ever visited - anywhere.  Spectacularly terrific and inventive.  It's a prefix menu with optional drink and wine pairings.  You can ONLY reserve a seat (or seats) through Open Table.  If they are booked (which is likely, I think) get on the waiting list.  That has worked for me twice in the past.  Also, Etch and The Southern are quite good too - and both are close to The Ryman.

Sounds great. Thanks for the recommendations

[Clayton Carter]

Does anyone know if this show was recorded?  I think every Wilco/JT show I've seen in ME has been posted somewhere and I'm hoping this one is no different.  We had to duck out just after the Diana Izzo cover to get my kid in bed before it was too too late (this was his first concert) and we missed a lot, from the sound of it!