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Wilco — 2/13/16, Roanoke, VA (Berglund Performing Arts Theatre)


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[NB: I was still writing/editing this while the subsequent "rave" was posted, but as Buddy Holly said, rave on!]

 

When the list of tour dates for this run of winter shows came out, you'd have been forgiven for scratching your head at the final headlining performance being in a theater in Roanoke, Virginia. It was the only tour stop that the band hadn't ever played before, and I hate to use the t word but you'd have to say this place fit the term "tertiary market" to a T.

 

So, naturally, the 'Oke helped produce what I would say was probably one of the best all-around shows of the tour that I saw in terms of crowd dynamics, sound quality and band performance.

 

One thing there wasn't a lot of was chitchat from Jeff. Just about the only tidbit from Banter Corner came after Hummingbird when Jeff asked, "When's the last time we were in Roanoke? It's been a long time." When he was informed that Wilco had never played here, he quipped, "It's good to be back." Then, by way of introducing Box Full Of Letters as being off the band's first album, Jeff said, "If A.M. had done better, we probably would've come here then."

 

Pretty much the only other comment Jeff offered was at the conclusion of Star Wars, thanking the crowd for listening to the whole album: "That is our Star Wars. It belongs to us." (Jeff also called attention to Nels' gaudy double-neck guitar prior to Dawned On Me.)

 

Other than that, the audience was simply left to enjoy the music. And that was pretty easy to do given how great the room sounded. Star Wars live is even more enjoyable, IMHO, when heard through a nice sound system that lets you appreciate some of the lyrical complexities and the crowd is receptive and respectful enough to let you hear things like Glenn's ring percussion on Magnetized.

 

Jeff, for his part, seemed about as relaxed as could be throughout the set. He shrugged off and/or smiled at any minor flubs, like singing "I check the phone" instead of "I check the mail" in the high falsetto part of Hate It Here or missing a line or two in Spiders. The crowd, on its feet from the get-go and polite yet energetic, could hardly have cared less. It all made for a nice vibe in the room, which seemed remarkably devoid of drunken shenanigans for a Saturday night.

 

About the only other thing I can think to add is that it's a testament to the band's talent and professionalism that it can come together and turn in such a solid performance given, for example, that Glenn had traveled to New York City on Friday's off day and performed another show with So Percussion at Carnegie Hall and then made his way to Roanoke to rejoin Wilco only a few hours before last night's gig. Along similar lines, one could forgive Nels if his mind was looking ahead to his imminent European tour with Julian Lage — in 72 hours from tonight's show, the pair will be performing in (oh, you know) Ljubljana, Slovenia — and he didn't turn in his best effort on, say, Impossible Germany. But the guys in Wilco have an uncanny ability to be in the moment with one another and that's always a pleasure to watch. Tonight, those of us in Roanoke fortunately got to be the beneficiaries of that.

 

Here was the complete setlist, as played (Space Oddity was once again not on the printed list, but played; otherwise, there were no changes):

 

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

Dawned On Me

Impossible Germany

The Late Greats

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

Spiders (Kidsmoke) (electric arrangement)

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

Misunderstood*

It's Just That Simple*

Hate It Here*

I'm Always In Love*

Jesus, etc.*

California Stars*

A Shot in the Arm*

Space Oddity* [David Bowie]

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I hope I'm not stepping on your toes by sharing my thoughts first, but I just got home and have to rave about what I just witnessed.  This was my seventh time seeing them and I never thought I'd get to see them in Roanoke (45 minutes from where I live).  I was worried that the crowd would act up but Roanoke BROUGHT IT!  No noticeable shout-outs or anything that warranted a Jeff rant.  It was so good.  Easily the best show I've seen of theirs as they are truly on top of their game.  I snagged a setlist from Stan so here it is:

 

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

IATTBYH

Art of Almost

Via Chicago

Hummingbird

Box Full of Letters

Heavy Metal Drummer

ITMWLY

Dawned on Me

Impossible Germany

The Late Greats

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

Spiders

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

Misunderstood

Just That Simple

Hate it Here

I'm Always in Love

Jesus, etc

California Stars

A Shot in the Arm

Space Oddity (not on the setlist but played)

 

They went on right after 8:30 and played straight to curfew at 11:00.  I couldn't believe we got 8 "hootenanny" songs.  Again, an amazing show and I know everyone says this about the show they go to, but for real guys... ROAD CASE!!!!!

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Again, an amazing show and I know everyone says this about the show they go to, but for real guys... ROAD CASE!!!!!

 

Omg, I'm thrilled for you and the other fans who got to witness this firsthand but am absolutely kicking myself for not making the trip. I hope your wish comes true. ROAD CASE!!

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all around great experience. I traveled from Richmond and it was definitely worth it. Between Roanoke and Norfolk, this show was just light years better. I think Wilco is just at this point better in seated theater type venues than standing room only venues which seem to encourage heavier drinking, talking and general "revelry." I don't think I could have predicted how good the crowd would be. I came down to see Jason Isbell in the same venue in November and the entire crowd sat for all but the last few minutes. I had pit tickets for that show and my wife & I got asked to sit down so many times we left the pit to go stand back on the side so we could could enjoy it. I had prepared my crew for the same thing but as soon as the EKG recording hit the entire crowd stood and kept standing, cheering for the entire show. There was one crazy off beat clapper and aggressive "woo hoo"er that was loud during the encore but otherwise a solid showing form a place that's more used to getting state fair and country acts.

 

My crew taped the show and the torrent is here: http://bt.etree.org/details.php?id=585049

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also the poster was phenomenal. It was a deep rich burgundy red background with a cardinal (state bird of Va) on a snowy limb. It sold out. In fact I got the "demo" model hanging on the rack.

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Along similar lines, one could forgive Nels if his mind was looking ahead to his imminent European tour with Julian Lage — in 72 hours from tonight's show, the pair will be performing in (oh, you know) Ljubljana, Slovenia 

Looks like Julian couldn't make it to the gig:

 

It is with regret that Julian Lage cannot perform with Nels Cline at tonight's show in Ljubljana, SI at Cankar Hall after a winter storm flight cancellation. Nels will now perform solo. Show starts at 9p. - Nels Cline HQ

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