Wilco — 7/14/15, Morrison, CO (Red Rocks Amphitheatre)

[bböp]

For some time now, I've viewed shows in iconic venues with a certain degree of skepticism. On one hand, who wouldn't want to attend a show at such venues as the Hollywood Bowl, Sydney Opera House, Ryman Auditorium or Red Rocks Amphitheatre? These are places people travel from far and wide to experience and go out of their way to knock off their proverbial bucket lists.

 

On the other hand, a concert can't be great just because of the venue and not every concert in an iconic venue can be great. More often than not, in my experience, these iconic venue shows don't measure up to shows in less heralded spaces. At least for dedicated fans of a band, like people on this forum. There can be a number of reasons for this, which I won't really go into here. But this has been my experience.

 

All of which I bring up to try and put tonight's show at Red Rocks into some perspective. Of course, one never gets tired of the beauty and magnitude of a place like Red Rocks and when a favorite band performs there, it's of course an event that is elevated in one's mind.

 

But if I'm being honest, I can't say this show was in the upper echelon of Wilco shows I've ever seen. And that's OK. It was a perfectly fine show, and very typical in the context of the 20th anniversary tour the band is finishing up this summer. I guess I'm just trying to look at it objectively.

 

So on the plus side, I will say that the show sounded terrific — as good as I can remember from just a pure sound standpoint (at least from my reserved seat just to the left of the sound tent/bunker). The Red Rocks PA, combined with Stan's mixing, really made the band sing. The light show also added a different dimension, with sheets of colored lights dipping and dancing behind the band at various points.

 

On the down side, I think the setlist is starting to get a bit predictable. I sometimes talk about how it's good to be off balance a bit, but this show was pretty much the opposite of that. Jeff seems to have chosen the songs that will play well to summer audiences in bigger venue or festival settings and is largely sticking with them. Even the same rarities are turning up night after night (Camera, Panthers, Secret of the Sea), which is not a complaint on my part as much as an observation.

 

I just wonder why they wouldn't substitute something like Monday>Outtasite in place of Red-Eyed>I Got You sometimes or especially on a night when Jeff made several references to Woody Guthrie's 103rd birthday, the band wouldn't close out the hootenanny portion of the show with something like Hoodoo Voodoo, which seemed perfectly set up after Hesitating Beauty and California Stars.

 

All of these are minor quibbles, of course, and I realize that they are largely irrelevant to the majority of people who attended the show last night. This is just one schmo's $.02, after all.

 

To me, though, the band didn't quite transcend the magnificence of the venue this time around. Or maybe the venue didn't quite transcend the magnificence of the band. Or maybe I'm just operating in the enveloping haze of the powerful "weed pizza" scent to which Jeff referred...

 

Anyway, here was the complete setlist as played (it looks like just one song — I'm A Wheel — got cut from the printed list; it was supposed to close out the first encore):

 

Handshake Drugs

Camera

I Am Trying To Break Your Heart>

Art Of Almost

At Least That's What You Said

Panthers

Hummingbird

Secret of the Sea

Heavy Metal Drummer>

I'm The Man Who Loves You

Dawned On Me

Sunken Treasure (acoustic arrangement; Jeff on acoustic guitar, no harmonica; Pat on keyboard)

Forget The Flowers

Via Chicago

Jesus, etc.

Born Alone>

Laminated Cat (aka Not for the Season)

Passenger Side

Box Full Of Letters

Impossible Germany

Red-Eyed and Blue>

I Got You (At The End of the Century)

--------------------------------------

The Late Greats

I'm Always In Love>

A Shot in the Arm

---------------------------------------

War On War*

New Madrid*

Hesitating Beauty*

California Stars*

Misunderstood*

 

* — performed hootenanny style with Jeff and John on acoustic guitars, Nels on dobro/mandolin, Glenn on percussion, Mikael on melodica/acoustic guitar and Pat on banjo

[worldrecordplayer]

Reading the comment about the set list getting stale reminds me of the GD touring days. My usual response would be to suggest seeing fewer shows once folks hit burnout on another Not Fade Away. the vast majority in attendance last night were seeing their only Wilco show of the year. As maniacal Wilco fans, we want to see organic change every night. Which the band is able to do on a multi night run in a single city. I'm not criticizing your criticism (if there were any), it just reminded me how the road warrior fan can get lost in the weeds from the big picture of the experience of most fans who don't get to see entire tours.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[bböp]

Reading the comment about the set list getting stale reminds me of the GD touring days. My usual response would be to suggest seeing fewer shows once folks hit burnout on another Not Fade Away. the vast majority in attendance last night were seeing their only Wilco show of the year. As maniacal Wilco fans, we want to see organic change every night. Which the band is able to do on a multi night run in a single city. I'm not criticizing your criticism (if there were any), it just reminded me how the road warrior fan can get lost in the weeds from the big picture of the experience of most fans who don't get to see entire tours.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Oh, I fully understand what you're getting at here. And I totally get that for the vast majority of people, that's the one show they'll see this year (or for a couple of years).

 

Just to make it clear, I've always been perfectly fine with whatever Jeff and the band feel like presenting on any given night. I'm not overtly criticizing any choices that have been made, just observing that for this run anyway, he/they seem to have more or less decided what songs will work in these venues and settings they're playing and are staying the course with them. Which is fine, and certainly his/their prerogative (though they did soundcheck Ashes and In the Street last night...just sayin').

 

A bigger issue for me last night is that a lot of times when you get into these big iconic venues, that connection or whatever it is that can make for a truly transcendent experience is more easily lost IMHO. I kept going back in my mind to the Hollywood Bowl show from a few years ago and how obviously it's great for Wilco that they got to play there but I feel like there just wasn't nearly as much of a connection with the audience, simply because it was so vast (not to mention it's LA, but that's a different story). Personally, I know I had a way better time the previous night at a show in the middle of nowhere in San Luis Obispo because that connection was just much more present somehow.

 

I don't know...maybe I'm just being unrealistic. Or maybe it had at least a little something to do with the fact that Red Rocks flipped around its usual GA-versus-reserved-seating setup this time (so that the general admission folks were at the way back — like rows 48 and higher — while everything else was reserved). Like I mentioned, I had a very good seat in row 13 in the middle, so I was fine. But the vibe around me was just kinda weird and I do wonder if anyone else just felt kind of distant somehow, like being part of this huge black abyss (to borrow an old term)...

[thejokeexplained]

I unfortunately did not get to go to this show, but i had a few friends that went and their report was much different. One group were super fans, seeing Wilco multiple time's and even seeing and playing with Jeff in living room shows. The other were a newly UARK graduates enjoying the mountains before real life set's in for them, seeing the band for the first time.  Up to the time i had a pair of 47th row tickets sent to them Monday as a gift , they had not even heard a song ever from the band. 

 

This morning i had emails from both gushing about what they witnessed last evening. The beauty of Red Rock goes without saying! From the funny banter of Jeff seeming to be in a outstanding mood to the great weather, and the play of the band.  Who my "super fan" friend said they massed up on Jesus. But that made it all the more special. I'm not quite in the same boat you are when it comes to the sheer amount of times you have been lucky enough to see the band; for Gods sake Jeff has been known to call you out at gigs! Which BTW is pretty fucken cool to have the lead singer of your favorite band recognize you at a gig and make mention of it.

It may not have been your favorite show. Hell that Austin stubs show during AGIB tour that we shared the rail on back a few years ago when they did play Monday and you went ballistic was a pretty hard show to top.  Sometimes it's the mood and the expectations of the concert goer that has more to do with how great a show is then even the bands performance. 

[bböp]

It may not have been your favorite show. Hell that Austin stubs show during AGIB tour that we shared the rail on back a few years ago when they did play Monday and you went ballistic was a pretty hard show to top. Sometimes it's the mood and the expectations of the concert goer that has more to do with how great a show is then even the bands performance.

Glad your friends had a good time. Like I said, from my vantage point, it was an OK show. Professional, perfectly fine. They can't all be truly transcendent. And I think you're right that at least part of it has to do with the concertgoer as well. Not gonna quote Muzzle of Bees here, but hopefully you catch my drift...

[Pecan_Pie]

This report makes me super happy.  I wish I could have gone, but I'm glad others had such a great time!!!

 

I unfortunately did not get to go to this show, but i had a few friends that went and their report was much different. One group were super fans, seeing Wilco multiple time's and even seeing and playing with Jeff in living room shows. The other were a newly UARK graduates enjoying the mountains before real life set's in for them, seeing the band for the first time.  Up to the time i had a pair of 47th row tickets sent to them Monday as a gift , they had not even heard a song ever from the band. 

 

This morning i had emails from both gushing about what they witnessed last evening. The beauty of Red Rock goes without saying! From the funny banter of Jeff seeming to be in a outstanding mood to the great weather, and the play of the band.  Who my "super fan" friend said they massed up on Jesus. But that made it all the more special. I'm not quite in the same boat you are when it comes to the sheer amount of times you have been lucky enough to see the band; for Gods sake Jeff has been known to call you out at gigs! Which BTW is pretty fucken cool to have the lead singer of your favorite band recognize you at a gig and make mention of it.

It may not have been your favorite show. Hell that Austin stubs show during AGIB tour that we shared the rail on back a few years ago when they did play Monday and you went ballistic was a pretty hard show to top.  Sometimes it's the mood and the expectations of the concert goer that has more to do with how great a show is then even the bands performance. 

[Sandy in SFCA]

My experience was probably somewhere between bbop's and timewasajoke's friend's. I definitely relate to what bbop is saying about bands playing in iconic venues. There is a certain level of expectation (not that we have any right to those) that it will be iconic. There is also the reality of being surrounded by people who are there for the venue rather than the band. The hardcore fans get diluted in a sea of musical tourists. There was definitely a higher than average  proportion of talkers, texters and selfie aficionados than you see at your average venue. One random dude asked me during ALTWYS if I worked for the NSA or the National Park Service. I suspect chemicals played a role in his questioning. And the setlist contained no surprises. I, too, would have loved to hear a hootenanny Hoodoo Voodoo.

 

However, I think the played really well and the sound was perfect. ALTWYS and Sunken Treasure had me near tears they were so beautiful. I think the band really played their heart out. It was not the best show I've ever seen the band play, but it certainly wasn't the worst. I also think coming off of SSF played a factor in how I felt about the show. After that weekend of pure musical bliss it's hard for anything else to measure up (yes, even Red Rocks). I didn't sense a lack of connection from where I was (I was a few rows in front of bbop). The people in the first few rows were dancing so hard I considered calling for medical help for one guy as it appeared he was having some sort of vertical seizure. I was really pleasantly surprised by that since I was concerned that Reserved seating was in the front and GA was in the back. I feel like that configuration doesn't result in your most motivated, hardcore fans being up front. Last night the people up front gave the band a lot of love.

 

One funny bit of banter from last night. As was already mentioned Jeff messed up Jesus, Etc so badly that they needed to stop and start the verse over. After finishing the song Jeff says to the crowd, "I feel like I owe you an explanation. I f*cked up." The crowd got a good laugh out of that. It turns out he accidentally stepped on one of his pedals and turned the guitar volume off. Oops

[bböp]

My experience was probably somewhere between bbop's and timewasajoke's friend's. I definitely relate to what bbop is saying about bands playing in iconic venues. There is a certain level of expectation (not that we have any right to those) that it will be iconic. There is also the reality of being surrounded by people who are there for the venue rather than the band. The hardcore fans get diluted in a sea of musical tourists. There was definitely a higher than average proportion of talkers, texters and selfie aficionados than you see at your average venue.

 

I didn't sense a lack of connection from where I was (I was a few rows in front of bbop). The people in the first few rows were dancing so hard I considered calling for medical help for one guy as it appeared he was having some sort of vertical seizure. I was really pleasantly surprised by that since I was concerned that Reserved seating was in the front and GA was in the back. I feel like that configuration doesn't result in your most motivated, hardcore fans being up front. Last night the people up front gave the band a lot of love.

Thanks for sharing your insights, Sandy. I'm glad to know the way upfront folks were into it (in spite of the reverse GA-reserved seating thing). In retrospect, I think maybe that's partly what was bumming me out about the vibe around me was that people really seemed to be insular in their enjoyment of the show, if they were enjoying it. Of course I know that different people experience things in different ways (not gonna quote Low Key here, but hopefully you catch my drift...) but I guess I'm used to being around people who are more demonstrative or something. And then there was the row of VIPs in front of me who were just sort of socializing during the show and rubbing me the wrong way.

 

In terms of the setlist variation, etc., this happens with every band from time to time. It's certainly happened with Wilco before. We are definitely more fortunate than fans of a lot of bands, I think, who don't revisit their catalogs nearly as much. I certainly realize I could always go to fewer shows to alleviate this issue, as was suggested, but I guess I just hope that it will work itself out eventually. I'm pretty sure it will...

 

One last thing from last night's banter that I enjoyed was during one of Jeff's mini-Woody Guthrie interludes and his saying he "embraced wholeheartedly" Guthrie's comment that a folk singer's job is to disturb the comfortable and comfort the disturbed. I'm paraphrasing, surely, but I don't think I'd heard that line before.

[Sandy in SFCA]

 

One last thing from last night's banter that I enjoyed was during one of Jeff's mini-Woody Guthrie interludes and his saying he "embraced wholeheartedly" Guthrie's comment that a folk singer's job is to disturb the comfortable and comfort the disturbed. I'm paraphrasing, surely, but I don't think I'd heard that line before.

 

I loved that quote! As a disturbed soul who often takes comfort in music I could completely relate.

[bozos72]

This is my first post here although I seem to have had a login since 2009.  Cool.

 

I moved to Denver from Chicago about two years ago.  I've seen Wilco about a dozen times or so.  I thought the show last night at Red Rocks was truly special.  The last time I saw them was in April at The Riv in Chicago.

 

I sort of wish I had the mild cynicism that comes from seeing this band what I would imagine hundreds of times.  For me, this was so memorable and so amazing that I will never forget it.  For me, it was as cool as the NYE show from MSG in 2004, for far different reasons.

 

I was with a friend who was seeing Wilco for the first time.  He may never not see them again whenever they're in the area.  He was in absolute awe and hasn't stopped emailing me about the show.  The band, as always, was tight.  Although I've seen Nels play a lot, I'm not sure I ever appreciated him as much as I did yesterday, especially on the older songs when he wasn't yet in the band when they were recorded.  Something clicked last night for me, even though I have always appreciated him.

 

Maybe it was the venue.  I spent the weekend watching The Avett Brothers there and they were quite good.  But, Wilco...wow.  It was truly special and amazing and I'm out of adjectives.

[trrish]

I was a hard-core traveling fan of The Who for many, many years.  I consider myself a huge Wilco fan, though not what I would call hard-core or traveling much. I'm quite familiar with how many hard-core fans expectations are generally impossible to meet.  At some point with The Who, I backed out of the hard-core thing. It's a trap.  

 

I thought last night's RR show was outstanding for me for many, many reasons.  RR is my local venue.  To the poster commenting about stale set lists and venue tourists, I think your issues are legitimate but, they give you a skewed reality. Which you acknowledge.  Something about your expectations and thoughts are creating a 'less than' experience for you.  You are likely going to too many shows :-)  When I find myself complaining about set lists - especially a list that has 10 more songs than the average set list, that's on me, not the band. (Hey, my little opinion wasn't popular with Who fans, either. :-)  There's a quality that is akin to addiction - if we don't get the 'hit' we expected, we feel disappointed.  Again, that's not on the band, according to me.  And yeah, I'm *always* secretly hoping for Hoodoo Voodoo but I can't quite feel disappointed when they played a hilarious version of Via Chicago that I don't think I've seen before, or when they gathered around the front of the stage to do a half-acoustic, pseudo-unplugged Misunderstood, that I loved or when Jeff is talking about weed pizza and how he's getting vicariously high and we're causing him to fuck up.  That acoustic bit showed off John's vocal chops, I thought.  And all that is because, I 'only' see them a few times per tour.  (I saw them in New Orleans for that abbreviated set earlier in this tour - you can imagine why this show felt spectacular!)  Not to mention - it didn't rain!  It's rained every day for the past month here in the Denver area in the evenings.  Maybe that was my karma for sitting through the NO Jazz Mudfest for both Wilco and The Who...a relatively dry 2.5 hours with Wilco.  

 

And talk about stale set lists - it's pretty hard to beat The Who on that topic. Something I've observed over the years is, my own mindset is the biggest factor of all determining my experience at a show.  VIP's and all that shit are a factor now at most bands shows.  The biggest downfall of the hard-core fan = entitlement.  We really aren't entitled to anything, other than the little bit of real estate we purchased with our tickets, and maybe a shoutout from the band now and then.  The rest is frosting for me. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[bböp]

Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)

 

ThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanything

 

Fin.

[Albert Tatlock]

 

I still love you SetListGuy

[ditty]

Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)

 

ThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanything

 

Fin.

 

bböp

 

Please don't stop being honest, if you do, I have no reason to even lurk as a guest anymore.  We can all get the set lists from Wilcoworld.net or setlis.fm

 

Singed,

 

Tired of the repetition, predictability and songs cut from the encores

[bböp]

 

I still love you SetListGuy

 

Thank you, Herr Tatlock! The feeling is mutual...

 

bböp

 

Please don't stop being honest, if you do, I have no reason to even lurk as a guest anymore.  We can all get the set lists from Wilcoworld.net or setlis.fm

 

Singed,

 

Tired of the repetition, predictability and songs cut from the encores

 

I appreciate the sentiment, and I'll try to keep calling 'em as I see 'em...so to speak. Also I realize most people who are interested in setlists nowadays probably get them from the Wilcoworld site (or more likely, via the Wilco Facebook account) or setlist.fm and usually those sources give you what you want to know, more or less. But be aware that there are often minor errors and/or a lack of detail with the info posted on those sites as well. Just sayin'.

[billydee]

bbop, thanks for all you do, it's very much appreciated!

 

And for the record, if I saw as many shows now as I did in years past I'd be complaining too.

 

But now that I'm lucky just to see a show every couple years or so I'll be more than thankful for whatever I get. Which was Scottsdale this time around...which for that barely two hours it still took me to the promised land!

[Magnetized]

I remember having a conversation with you somewhere (Raleigh maybe?) and being really impressed with the care you put into accurately documenting the details of setlists, as well as rounding out some of the more interesting collateral specifics. (Not to mention your good strong voice that helps me stay focused on the melody even when Jeff's singing harmony!) Anyone who sees as many shows as you do is bound to view them through a little different perspective than the average fan, but you always acknowledge that upfront. I think everybody sincerely appreciates the service you provide, and we miss it when you're not at a show.

[smells like flowers]

FWIW, I agree with you, Paul, about the setlist at Red Rocks and often wonder why the same songs (even one recently re-introduced, like Secret of the Sea) get played again and again. I suppose that keeps it easy for the band, but there are so many good ones that they hold out on! I've been to quite a few shows myself in recent years and it's hard when one seems kind of ho-hum, as they occasionally do, for the superfan, anyway. But I always enjoy reading your After the Show posts, and especially love the banter corner tidbits you take the time to recap.

[Beltmann]

I appreciate the sentiment, and I'll try to keep calling 'em as I see 'em...so to speak. 

 

I always appreciate your personal, thoughtful take.  I can't disagree with your thoughts about the setlist--halfway through the show, I mentioned to the fan next to me that it felt like a greatest hits record.  Still, I was entirely in the mood for a greatest hits show, and the young fan next to me, who had previously never seen Wilco live, had the time of his life.  Gobsmacked, he was.  He was deeply familiar with Summerteeth forward, but he left saying that he had to buy Being There straight away.

 

And it was great seeing you again, Paul.  I'm glad I spotted you near the merch table!

 

One more note: I owe my dry poster to the friendly fans from Chicago sitting behind us who offered to share their poster tube when the rain started.  We were surrounded by great Wilco people, which only enhanced the experience.

[nalafej]

Finally time to chime in. 60th Wilco show. 1st Red Ricks experience.

 

I thought it was a fantastic night! Steve gunn was a great opener. The venue is a gem and must do for all music fans.

 

Wilco played great. I agree with the comments that they didn't really go beyond a typical performance but they are great even on nights where they don't over achieve.

 

I don't understand how people can have issues with a setlist containing obscure tracks like Panthers, Camera, New Madrid and Hesitating Beauty and the best of Wilco. That is the entire point of a 20th anniversary tour supporting the boxed set and greatest hits!

 

I'm going to ID & MT shows and hope those nights are even somewhat as good as this night. We are beyond lucky to be fans of a band that delivers every show.

[calvino]

Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)Iwiilnotcomplainaboutthesetlist(evenifIdidnt)

 

ThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanythingThebanddoesntowemeanything

 

Fin.

 

Way to get Wilco to release a new record, bbop! Bravo!

[bböp]

Way to get Wilco to release a new record, bbop! Bravo!

 

Oh, I take full credit! Haha...

 

And thanks again to those who offered supportive words in this thread. I think most people got what was I was trying to convey in my initial post and put it better than I did. I, in turn, definitely got some perspectives that I'll keep in mind moving forward. Now let's go have another listen to Star Wars!

 

And it was great seeing you again, Paul.  I'm glad I spotted you near the merch table!

 

Yeah, thanks for flagging me down! Great to see you and chat for a few minutes as well!

[kavorka]

It was solid a show. The acoustic ending, venue and traveling to meet some good friends made it... different and a lot fun. However, it lacked some ummpph or extra energy. Good show, good times, but not extraordinary. I thought Nels shined the most.

 

Wow, what's going on with Tweedy? He's looking really large. I don't think I've seen him that large since quitting cigarettes during that Kicking Television run at the VIc. He did not look healthy.

[Rstone]

Wilco, Red Rocks, 15.07.14. It was the beginning of something. Starting routine, handshake drugs and camera, even via Chicago something perfunctory seemed at play, four outstanding guitarists standing front stage with keyboards and drums astern. Evening was beautiful, crowd was unusually high in the oxygen-depleted pungent air of a thousand legal herbs, but otherwise it was a rock concert, loud and rambunctious, but just a rock concert. Then something happened. In the blaring lights and clanging chords of the song that transcends ordinary, the crowd started screaming in sync with the cacophony, not singing, but joining in the clash. The band awoke beyond their talent, and something special happened. We were one organism, symbiotic. We flowed down the rows and through the aisles, walking to the beer vendors and heads, all of us were one. We were one gigantic beast, beautiful and angry, with Wilco as our head. Aimee Mann in her best album, sings that love and anger come as a pair. Her words are true.

In some time, in five years or perhaps ten, we will talk of this experience. Wilco, and its body, at Red Rocks, 15.07.14. With the stones and the lights and the cool dry night sky, the city lights before us we sang. We were one. Angst and loneliness and delight and cool buzz and drunken numbers for the road. All of our experience expressed together in song and dance and hands in the air. All things trite were abandoned, eventually, into the night and the volume of sound.

By the end, they were a small band, sitting at the front of the stage, intimately playing, almost holding our hands. We sang along until they won the war of words, and we drifted into the somnolent night. We cried for them to return, and once or twice or (by some counts) three times they returned, but eventually the night darkened, the stars brightened, and we collapsed into what might be next.

Wilco. Tweedy leader. Locust singer, come back again. Be our friend.

[The Inside of Outside]

Just talked with a good friend who was in the 9th row for this show. Of the 40-odd times he has seen Wilco, he thought only two shows were better (Terminal 5 a few years ago, and Irving Plaza in 97). He thought this was better than Night 2 of the recent Solid Sound, and better than the 3 nights at the Cap in Port Chester.

 

He did provide a disclaimer that he was pretty "activated" for this show. Seems the liberal marijuana laws in CO went to his head.