TWEEDY 04/11/14 The Palladium, London, UK

[Albert Tatlock]

Setlist and braindump. A bit all over the place. Apologies. May edit later.

 

1. Nobody Dies Anymore

2. Flowering

3. Summer Noon

4. World Away

5. New Moon

6. Honey Combed

7. Desert Bell

8. Why Why Why

9. High As Hello

10. Fake Fur Coat

11. Diamond Light Pt. 1

12. Wait For Love

13. Love Like A Wire

14. Low Key

====== JT solo ======

15. IATTBYH

16. One Wing

17. New Madrid

18. Hummingbird

19. You And I

20. Passenger Side

21. Ruling Class

22. Please Tell My Brother

23. Born Alone

24. Jesus Etc.

25. ITMWLY

26. Shot In The Arm

======= TWEEDY Encore =======

27. Please Don't Let Me Be So Understood

28. Only The Lord Knows

29. You're Not Alone

30. Give Back The Key To My Heart

31. California Stars

 

Got to the gold-dripped and scarlet opulence of The Palladium a bit behind schedule at 7:40 for various reasons, and Arc Iris were already half way through their set. I had managed to see The Low Anthem once a while back so was quite keen to give them a listen. Male drummer, female cello player, male keyboards and Jocie Adams the lead singer also on keyboards and occasional other stuff e.g. clarinet. My back of a fag packet summary would be St. Vincent from her first album sans guitar and vearing into prog - the male keyboard player certainly had the appropriate hair. Jocie Adams herself was sporting a gold lycra one piece straight out of King Midas's luge team. They were different and I enjoyed what I saw. They got a decent reception though their sound wasn't the most immediately catchy for a half attentive audience and the atmosphere of the large semi-empty theatre worked against them.

 

I hoped that the fact they were on early was a good omen for a long TWEEDY/JT set. Proceedings began at 8:30 and finished at 10:30. I would imagine that's a firm curfew at this place, but it felt like a very long solid 2 hours - in a good way.

 

JT was still clean shaven (presumably to match his passport photo to avoid security problems) and without a hat - which I much prefer in terms of making an audience connection with a visible face rather then being an anonymous shadowy figure. The TWEEDY set up was a bit further back from the edge of the large stage than seemed necessary or completely conducive, but the up side was that the Arc Iris kit was simply in front of that and quickly removed for a short turn around between acts. I was in the stalls at about eye level with Spencer (nipple level with JT if you're interested in that sort of thing) and just under the lip of circle, so could not tell how full that was or how impressive the whole view might have looked from the stage.

 

On the 'Audience of Jeffs' scale we probably scored a 7.5. No one standing, but plenty of vocal appreciation and the band seemed happy to be here. I hope they did indeed feel the love. It was nice to see young Spencer of course, remarkably composed and producing a variety of sound somehow inconsistent with the apparent lack of obvious activity - a very light touch like Charlie Watts perhaps. I did smile when I saw a couple of comparatively 'extravagant' head flicks during World Away. I really like what Jim brings to the party - his guitar tone and restrained yet effective solos. I don't know what caused him to up sticks to the Colonies, but I hope he enjoyed being back. They seem to be doing more backing vocals to try to cover for the lack of Jess and Holly than I remember hearing initially - which I think makes a big difference.

 

Diamond Light was a powerful behemoth, with the ending of Darin and Spencer alone continuing for some time as the rest of the band stood and watched. I was wondering how they could coordinate finishing with Darin facing away from the drums. Perhaps a secret buttock clench signal suffices.

 

Given this might be a very rare chance for me to see these songs live, I was pretty happy with the selection. Could have subbed Why Why Why for Slow Love for my perfect selection given that I'll Sing It is not played, but can't complain. Very pleased to get Love Like A Wire - what a great ear to pick out that song from nowhere. Possibly World Away was my fave on the night from the TWEEDY group. All the big hitters seemed to have been wheeled out in the initial segment, so I was intrigued as to what the encore would contain.

 

I was a bit miffed that the solo section didn't contain any of my requests, but the songs kept coming - more than I was expecting, so I was happy. Perhaps JT didn't trust a foreign audience to be familiar enough for some deep cuts. A full bloodied Shot In The Arm was a highlight. I felt JT might have been half encouraging the audience to join in. The last Wilco show I was at this happened to glorious effect, but I sense that at this kind of show we all want the chance to truly hear JTs unique voice clearly, so we abstain. I hope he does not take it personally. You And I solo was much much better than on record, and the rendition of Please Tell My Brother seemed quite emotional to me.

 

Very happy to hear Only The Lord Knows with some old school screamy Jeff. Worth the admission alone.

 

Banter Corner

A bumper crop in the banter garden, probably the most interaction I have witnessed. Plenty of odd bits and pieces in addition to the longer comments I've tried to recall.

 

During the brief band intro - Darin: "I've known him since the Blitz" ... "Sorry', not funny ...too soon". Half way through - something about feeling like they should do a musical number at this theatre e.g. the Lion King. "I know all the parts". Sang a line "I will lift you up", then a little bit of mock pantomine as there were calls for JT to actually try something.

 

After Passenger Side a woman called out that she wanted to take JT home, followed by the same call from a guy. "You can fight over me", "I have my son with me", "Not appropriate - Spencer cover your ears". Possibly the same woman then called out "For a guitar lesson". "Is that what they're calling it these days?" "You would not want a guitar lesson from me" "A guitar lesson would be worse than having sex with me" At that point some wag called out "And take a bit longer". JT appreciatled that wisecrack and paused, admitted to not being able to remember any songs, provoking a few calls for different tracks. "Stop yelling" "I've got lots of songs". He came back to the subject after Ruling Class with the June Carter Cash 'take home for a bath story'. Random audience member "Is that what they're calling it these days?" JT: "I think you would have read about that" "Didn't happen".

 

"I can't remember Remember The Mountain Bed", "11 verses ... Do you feel cheated?"

There was a pregnant pause at the start of the encore. JT said "5 dudes" as they kind of hung around there like a street gang on a corner or something, and even did a few stretching and touching toes exercises (had no guitar for the first song). He pointed out that a few seats very near the front had been empty all night, asking if he was that scary close up, then self-deprecatingly described a review that once said you had to get up close to JT to appreciate how ugly he is, but swiftly followed that with a reminder that someone in the audience did want to take him home.

 

Most of the above of course funnier if you were there as opposed to my random ramblings, and as with the best comics, JT's timing is everything.

[pivoboy]

Thank you for the excellent recap - you caught the general vibe of the night very well.  I was struck by the excellent sound, at least from where I was sat in the stalls. It was loud without being overly so and soft when it needed to be. 

There was some apparent mix up with tickets at the box office and a lot had to be reprinted to much grumbling by the staff. 

Inspirational sign downstairs: ``Tonight - Tweedy. Next Event: Cats''
 

[Albert Tatlock]

Some photos here

 

http://www.thelineofbestfit.com/photos/live-photo-gallery/jeff-tweedy-at-the-london-palladium

[tblair]

The "5 dudes" comment was after he'd pointed out that there were 5 seats in the front row that had been empty all night. He then asked if anyone was going to sit there, and then when it was 5 guys, he sort of sighed, and said "5 dudes..."

 

The sound was unbelievable, but then it usually is for Wilco too. I was in the balcony, and there were small speakers hanging from the ceiling that seemed to help make for a fantastically clear vocal sound. A lovely evening

[keeprighton2]

Agree about being a fraction too far back on the stage.

 

Not helped by this being a proper musical theatre so there was an empty orchestra pit space betwen front row of audience and the stage apron. Sound was excellent.

 

Holds about 3K plus I think and it was pretty full in there though couldnt really see how busy it was in the top section.

 

Lovely theatre of course though it seemed a bit un'rock' having the red blazered ushers all over the place in the concourse etc. Spoke to couple of well travelled music security blokes who reckoned it wa the first ever 'rock' gig at Palladium. Nice.

I certainly cant recall one there before.

 

Funny how it takes JT a while to warm up these days re audience interaction. But his shows are so much better when he's at it in this respect. Top night.

 

 

 

 

[theashtraysays]

Delightful reports, all. Thank you.

[Albert Tatlock]

From a Wilco Tweet

 

 

Entering though the bar I overheard someone say that the place exuded a spirit of Tarby.

[Magnetized]

From a Wilco Tweet

 

That's Stan Doty, the sound man.

[tblair]

I saw Humble Pie at the London Palladium in the 70's. I also saw Liza Minnelli and Shirley Maclaine there too (took my mum), but they're not exactly rock concerts. 

 

oh, just remembered, I saw Paul Simon there too on his first solo shows after after the break up of Simon & Garfunkel. I think there have been quite a few 'rock' concerts there in the past

 

oh, and (my memory..!?!) I saw Marvin Gaye there. How could I forget that!?

That's Stan Doty, the sound man.

does he do Wilco's sound too? if so, he's amazing.

[Albert Tatlock]

does he do Wilco's sound too? if so, he's amazing.

Yes, Stan's the man.

[Yaz Rock]

That was one of the best show reviews ever. LOL @  " *sigh*... Five dudes..."

[Atticus]

glad you finally got around to writing about an April show.

[Mr. Heartbreak]

Perhaps a secret buttock clench signal suffices.

 

If I were not already an Anglophile, this would probably be enough to make me one.

glad you finally got around to writing about an April show.

[bböp]

oh, and (my memory..!?!) I saw Marvin Gaye there. How could I forget that!?

 

Oh man, so I guess this was the same Palladium where the live album was recorded? Hope one of those was the Marvin Gaye show you were lucky enough to be at...

 

 

 

Banter Corner

A bumper crop in the banter garden, probably the most interaction I have witnessed. Plenty of odd bits and pieces in addition to the longer comments I've tried to recall.

 

During the brief band intro - Darin: "I've known him since the Blitz" ... "Sorry', not funny ...too soon". Half way through - something about feeling like they should do a musical number at this theatre e.g. the Lion King. "I know all the parts". Sang a line "I will lift you up", then a little bit of mock pantomine as there were calls for JT to actually try something.

 

After Passenger Side a woman called out that she wanted to take JT home, followed by the same call from a guy. "You can fight over me", "I have my son with me", "Not appropriate - Spencer cover your ears". Possibly the same woman then called out "For a guitar lesson". "Is that what they're calling it these days?" "You would not want a guitar lesson from me" "A guitar lesson would be worse than having sex with me" At that point some wag called out "And take a bit longer". JT appreciatled that wisecrack and paused, admitted to not being able to remember any songs, provoking a few calls for different tracks. "Stop yelling" "I've got lots of songs". He came back to the subject after Ruling Class with the June Carter Cash 'take home for a bath story'. Random audience member "Is that what they're calling it these days?" JT: "I think you would have read about that" "Didn't happen".

 

"I can't remember Remember The Mountain Bed", "11 verses ... Do you feel cheated?"

There was a pregnant pause at the start of the encore. JT said "5 dudes" as they kind of hung around there like a street gang on a corner or something, and even did a few stretching and touching toes exercises (had no guitar for the first song). He pointed out that a few seats very near the front had been empty all night, asking if he was that scary close up, then self-deprecatingly described a review that once said you had to get up close to JT to appreciate how ugly he is, but swiftly followed that with a reminder that someone in the audience did want to take him home.

 

Most of the above of course funnier if you were there as opposed to my random ramblings, and as with the best comics, JT's timing is everything.

 

Excellent recap, sir! Thanks for the details...a fine job, I might say. Glad you got to the show and enjoyed it. It is always a bit tough to report from Banter Corner, because so much of it is generated in the moment and, as you say, Mr. T's comic timing is usually quite stellar. It must have been a little bit of a weird venue to see them in, by the sounds of it, but then again, some of the venues for the Tweedy band here in the Colonies have been somewhat unusual and a little more restrained as well. But at least you had the good fortune to have Stan, who always does fine work.

[Preferred B]

Top-notch recap, Mr. Klinger! I was lucky to tack this show onto the end of a last-minute business trip to England, and am so glad I was able to make it. It was my second time seeing this band, and the first time I knew any of the songs from the album, making it a very different experience. I'll echo that the theater sounded wonderful. I personally didn't think it was an odd setting for Tweedy - for Wilco it would have been, maybe, but I thought it worked well. The banter was indeed great, and cheers to the Londoners for being such a witty crowd! It's extremely rare in the USA for audience-shouted comments to be anything but drunken and cringeworthy. I also appreciated Spencer miming the big lift from Lion King when Jeff mentioned the musical, giving us the amusing visual of Jeff lifting his taller-than-he-is son into the air. On the heels of that, Jeff also mentioned trying to find a giant Babybjörn in which to carry Spencer onstage. "Maybe in Sweden."

 

Songs: "Diamond Light" is such a monster live. I was happy to hear "Please Don't Let Me Be So Understood" for the first time, and I adore the Diane Izzo cover. Plus two Mavis songs in a row!

[Albert Tatlock]

Nice review in The Times. I don't have an online subscription so no links possible, but I grabbed the office foyer copy.

A bit of extra missing banter too.

 

The Guardian has traditionally liked Wilco/JT, so maybe they'll have a review up tomorrow.

[lost highway]

Glad to see he's gotten past the sour relationship with the English.

[Pennyghael]

Must be the first London show when he hasn't mentioned Shepherd's Bush 97...

[tblair]

I think the 'angst' over the English went years ago

 

he did mention the Blitz again though

[Albert Tatlock]

The Independent

 

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/tweedy-review-the-frontman-of-uncle-tupelo-and-wilco-goes-solo-with-aplomb-9847037.html