bböp Posted September 29, 2015 Share Posted September 29, 2015 A momentous night in New Orleans for Wilco, which christened the newly restored — and pretty gorgeous, I must say — Orpheum Theater with its first (rock) concert in a decade. And quite a concert it was, with a pretty boisterous crowd for a Monday night. Beyond the reopening of the Orpheum, this was — if I'm not mistaken (and somewhat amazingly) — the band's first indoor headlining show in New Orleans since a memorable two-night run at Tipitina's in 2008. So after stormy weather had cut short its Jazz Fest set earlier this year and with the energy of a new album in the air, a sell-out crowd was excited and ready to finally see a tried-and-true Wilco show again. Though John and Pat's area ties were never explicitly acknowledged (except by support act William Tyler, who called the show as close to a hometown gig as there has been on this tour, while also noting that most of his own family had roots in southern Mississippi), it was clear that there would be a proverbial tip of the cap to them. So of course, John got a chance to shine vocally on It's Just That Simple and Pat played showman while adding his guitar stylings on such songs as Camera, Box Full Of Letters and Born Alone. As for Banter Corner, Jeff mostly stuck to music and not chatter as has been his bent on this tour. But he did take a moment to dedicate Heavy Metal Drummer to his dad, who wasn't in attendance but was celebrating his 82nd birthday and had told his son to "give him a shoutout." Jeff said his dad didn't even like the song, but nevertheless, we, the audience, would have to let it be known out in the atmosphere that a shoutout had indeed been given. Personally speaking, it was cool to see the Airline To Heaven collaboration with Tyler that had been debuted in Bloomington a couple of shows prior. The end of the song really turned into a cool psychedelic build with Tyler adding some of his distinctive electric guitar playing. Elsewhere, We've Been Had is always a great hootenanny deep cut (though it was somewhat noticeable to me how much the singing-along dropped off for that one; I guess the kids just aren't as familiar with Uncle Tupelo) and the electric Spiders seemed to have some extra juice with the pumped-up crowd. Jeff definitely seemed to be playing to the crowd a bit more than usual, turning the mike toward the audience and letting it take the vocals on more than a few occasions. In IATTBYH, that even led to an amusing moment when he neglected to turn his mike back toward himself before playing the coda and then realizing while playing the chords that he didn't have a mike to sing into for the "Disposable Dixie cup drinker" line. Fortunately venerable guitar tech Matrix proved Johnny-on-the-spot and quickly darted out to turn the mike back around just in time. Hopefully other folks will chip in with some more details later, but for now, here was the complete setlist as played (there were no changes from the printed list): More... Random Name Generator The Joke Explained You Satellite Taste The Ceiling Pickled Ginger Where Do I Begin Cold Slope> King Of You Magnetized Handshake Drugs Camera I Am Trying To Break Your Heart> Art Of Almost Via Chicago Hummingbird Box Full Of Letters Heavy Metal Drummer> I'm The Man Who Loves You Jesus, etc. Born Alone Impossible Germany Airline To Heaven (with William Tyler on electric guitar) The Late Greats ---------------------------------- Spiders (Kidsmoke) (electric arrangement) ---------------------------------- Misunderstood* It's Just That Simple* War On War* We've Been Had* California Stars* A Shot in the Arm* * — performed hootenanny style with Jeff and John on acoustic guitars, Nels on dobro, Glenn on percussion, Mikael on melodica/acoustic guitar and Pat on banjo/glockenspiel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bböp Posted September 29, 2015 Author Share Posted September 29, 2015 Forgot to add that it seemed like the crowd really came alive after Art Of Almost, giving the band an extended, loud ovation. Often you see that after Impossible Germany, but as with that song, Jeff pointed toward Nels to receive the bulk of the applause. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ViaNewOrleans Posted September 29, 2015 Share Posted September 29, 2015 Great write-up. I would add that it was definately a family affair. The first two rows in the entire balcony were reserved for family (according to the signs and red stickers worn by a bunch of people). My wife also met John's dad in the beer line and turned him onto a can of Hopitoulas.Super nice guy according to her. The crowd was great, the vibe was great, and the band seemed to really feed off the energy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sidewithouttheseeds Posted September 29, 2015 Share Posted September 29, 2015 Thank you for the strong review, Mr. Cheeztastic. My memory corroborates yours regarding indoors New Orleans shows. It seems Wilco played New Orleans at least once a year until Katrina came along and temporarily reduced the number of viable venues. Their last theater gig in the city was at the State Palace Theater (just around the corner from the Orpheum) just a few months before the big flood. Since the storm they’ve played only Jazz Fest, with the single exception of the two nights at Tipitina’s in 2008, which I assume they booked in order to include New Orleans in the Ashes of American Flags film. Those shows were fabulous, but it seemed like Wilco had outgrown clubs of that size. They couldn’t even fit all the musicians on the stage. Remember the horns in the balcony? I’m not certain, but I have a memory of Tweedy’s father actually being at this show. Can anyone confirm or correct this? I’m hoping that now that The Orpheum, The Saenger, and The Joy are all up and running—and considering that this show sold out well in advance—Wilco will make New Orleans a regular stop again. Aside from those already mentioned, Wilco has other ties to the city. Last winter I saw Nels Cline and local avant hero Rob Cambre in a one-time improvisational performance in a deconsecrated church in the 9th Ward. Cambre does a great job bringing experimental music to the city and he seemed to have a good relationship with Nels. (I wonder if William Tyler knows Cambre. I’d like to see more of Tyler as well and Cambre is connected to the audience perhaps most open to Tyler’s music.) One additional note on last night’s show. Tweedy was wearing a Big Bill Broonzy t-shirt. I know Broonzy was a big influence on Pops Staples. I wonder if producing Staples’ recent posthumous album inspired Tweedy to revisit Broonzy. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Boss_Tweedy Posted September 29, 2015 Share Posted September 29, 2015 I believe John's family attended the Tipitina's shows (or at least one of them), as I recall a nod to them (they were seated on the balcony) during one of the shows. I, too, noticed the Big Bill Broonzy shirt Jeff was wearing. I don't know whether Broonzy influenced Pops Staples (though it wouldn't be surprising given that they were both based in Chcago). I do know Broonzy was a popular musician who played often in and around Chicago, including the Old Town School of Folk Music. Last night was absolutely amazing. The Orpheum is a beautiful venue, and the band (as always) sounded great. So glad we finally got another proper show in NOLA after several years of doing without. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The Inside of Outside Posted September 29, 2015 Share Posted September 29, 2015 I am thrilled to see the electric Spiders in the recent set lists. Now to just keep it around until the band hits New England again........ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Boss_Tweedy Posted September 29, 2015 Share Posted September 29, 2015 I am thrilled to see the electric Spiders in the recent set lists. Now to just keep it around until the band hits New England again........ That by itself was worth the price of admission. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cold as Gasoline Posted September 30, 2015 Share Posted September 30, 2015 I, too, noticed the Big Bill Broonzy shirt Jeff was wearing. I don't know whether Broonzy influenced Pops Staples (though it wouldn't be surprising given that they were both based in Chcago). I do know Broonzy was a popular musician who played often in and around Chicago, including the Old Town School of Folk Music. I noticed that Big Bill Broonzy shirt at the show last week in Montreal. If you are ever on the North Side of Chicago, the Old Town School has Big Bill Broonzy's guitar along with an old acoustic of John Lennon's in a case right near the door in the lobby of the new building on the east side of Lincoln. Worth taking a peek. Thanks everyone for the observations! I love living vicariously through your eyes. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted September 30, 2015 Share Posted September 30, 2015 Obviously JT is trying to get into Tom Jones' good books ready for a duet invite in Australia next year. Big Bill Broonzy was a great early influence of Jones The Voice. Also ... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bourbon Gangster Posted September 30, 2015 Share Posted September 30, 2015 I've been reading up about the Orpheum, and it has such an amazing history. It was built with non-amplified instruments in mind, which makes the hootenanny style encore extra appropriate for the venue. Too cool. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bböp Posted September 30, 2015 Author Share Posted September 30, 2015 Obviously JT is trying to get into Tom Jones' good books ready for a duet invite in Australia next year. Big Bill Broonzy was a great early influence of Jones The Voice. Also ... Oh, good lord. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ViaNewOrleans Posted September 30, 2015 Share Posted September 30, 2015 Forgot to mention. Jeff was tearing up some solos, like Nels is rubbing off on him. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bigbrutus Posted September 30, 2015 Share Posted September 30, 2015 Anybody know of any leads for a recording of this show? I was in the balcony for it, and it just seemed so special, even when placed up against the other Wilco shows I have seen, which including this one, brings me up to seven! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ScottWWilliams Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 Hey guys. I'm new to Via Chicago but wanted to post about this New Orleans show and a Wilco poster I did that was commissioned by The Orpheum. It was displayed on the digital monitors in the lobby that night. It is NOT the alligator biting after the bird that was being sold at merch. It's a very special poster and I wanted those that are interested to be able to acquire it. It depicts the Louisiana State symbol, the pelican, rising from the waters that flooded The Orpheum. I've asked Via Chicago how to handle this and they asked me to say "If you're interested in my poster, please send me a private message and I'll provide the Etsy link". Thank you for your support and thank you to Via Chicago. Sincerely, Scott =W= Williams Quote Link to post Share on other sites
calvino Posted October 1, 2015 Share Posted October 1, 2015 Cool poster. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Boss_Tweedy Posted October 2, 2015 Share Posted October 2, 2015 Anybody know of any leads for a recording of this show? I was in the balcony for it, and it just seemed so special, even when placed up against the other Wilco shows I have seen, which including this one, brings me up to seven! Maybe the band will release it as a Roadcase show. It's certainly worthy of consideration. I prefer their first three albums, but even I was blown away by Monday's night performance. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bigbrutus Posted October 2, 2015 Share Posted October 2, 2015 I could of swore I saw someone taping in the auditorium. Techs from Wilco or just fans? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ViaNewOrleans Posted February 3, 2016 Share Posted February 3, 2016 Any recordings of this show ever surface anywhere? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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