bböp Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 Well, I guess no one else is probably going to chime in from the Great White North so here's another brief recap from north of the border concerning the second of two shows at the venerable Massey Hall... For those griping about setlist variety of late, I don't know if this show is going to entirely scratch your itches given that there's nothing here that wasn't played as recently as the Chicago Theatre run a few weeks back. But in terms of this market and audience, which is all that really matters, I would say that the band did a pretty good job shaking things up from Night 1. I counted 13 songs that weren't played the previous evening, so about half the set was different — and that's a pretty good ratio for any non-jam band, IMHO. It definitely seemed like once again there was a 10:30 p.m. curfew, for whatever reason, and so Jeff definitely went with a "less talk, more rock" mentality. I don't think he even checked in with the crowd until about nine songs into the show and certainly said much, much less than on Night 1. About the only comment of note from Banter Corner was a quip after California Stars that "I think (Pat's) beard enhanced the banjo solo." Jeff also once again remarked on the sit/stand issue, but only after the vast majority of the crowd had gotten to its feet during Impossible Germany (and remained standing during Either Way). "We've reached some consensus," Jeff said, looking around. Then, glancing to his right where a small group of people in the front row remained seated, he added, "A couple of guys aren't gonna get up for nothing, though. That's OK. You got good seats; I get it. I don't blame you. I'd be sitting down, too." The good thing about last night — and perhaps this happened on Night 1 as well, but it seemed more pronounced on Night 2 — was that right at the end of the main set, it seemed like security and venue staff almost engineered a stage rush of sorts. I know because I was sitting on the front row aisle on Pat's side and just before Hummingbird, a security guard tapped me on the shoulder and gestured at me to move forward. I didn't need to be told twice, and quickly there were more than a few like-minded people flooding into the small gap between the front row and the lip of the stage. It wasn't a total free-for-all, though, because I was told that once a certain amount of people had congregated in front of the stage, the venue staff prevented any more folks from coming down so that the aisles didn't get totally clogged. I have to say it was all pretty well orchestrated, and certainly boosted the energy level of the audience for the show's home stretch. Perhaps that energy level would have spiked anyway after good ol' Glenn once again stood on his drum stool before I'm The Man Who Loves You (it's baaaaaaaacck... ) without even that much goading from his bandmates. But Jeff seemed much happier to have the people standing closer to the stage at the end and have that connection with the audience that can sometimes be missing when it's just an abyss of humanity. He even commented that the "singing riff" ending on Spiders was much better than on Night 1 and, while it didn't approach South American (or even American) levels, I have to concur. I guess that's really all I've got to offer for now, so apologies for the delay in getting this posted and enjoy your morning reading (all 10 of you). Unfortunately I won't be at the Beacon Theater shows in New York the next few days, but since it seems like there are way more people on here going to those gigs, I'm sure there won't be a dearth of information. Until the next, here was the complete setlist as played for Night 2 at Massey (didn't see a printed setlist, so can't say whether there were any changes/omissions): Ashes Of American FlagsNormal American KidsIf I Ever Was A ChildCry All DayRadio CureCompany In My BackThe Joke ExplainedMisunderstood (hootenanny arrangement — Nels on lap steel, Pat on banjitar and John on 12-string acoustic guitar)Someone To LoseShouldn't Be AshamedAt Least That's What You SaidReservationsImpossible GermanyEither WayWe Aren't The World (Safety Girl)California StarsJesus, etc.LocatorDawned On MeTheologiansI'm The Man Who Loves YouHummingbird----------------------------Pickled GingerRed-Eyed and Blue>I Got You (At The End of the Century)>Outtasite (Outta Mind)Spiders (Kidsmoke) (electric arrangement) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
worldrecordplayer Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 Thanks for all your reporting bbop. I'm going to nights 1 and 2 at the Beacon, I would be ecstatic for 13 different songs. Heck, I'd be ecstatic with any set that included Shouldn't Be Ashamed and At Least That's What You Said., I'm bringing some first timers on Saturday, I was hoping they would get the Red-Eyed>I Got You > Outtasite rock n roll ending, but oh well. We'll suffer through whatever the band has in store I'll see if I can keep it together enough to keep an accurate set list in your absence, but don't count on me to be able to do that all you Beacon folks! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bböp Posted March 17, 2017 Author Share Posted March 17, 2017 I was hoping they would get the Red-Eyed>I Got You > Outtasite rock n roll ending, but oh well. We'll suffer through whatever the band has in store Hey, you never know...you might even get a Monday in there to shake things up! Have fun in NYC...wish I could make it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
remphish1 Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 My only comment again is why not more Schmilco songs? Shrug and Destroy, Quarters, Nope, Common Sense?! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
worldrecordplayer Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 What have been the set times? Beacon is listed as a 7:30 show. Has Joan Shelley been coming on right on schedule, how long of a set for her, and when has Wilco come on?What have been the set times? Beacon is listed as a 7:30 show. Has Joan Shelley been coming on right on schedule, how long of a set for her, and when has Wilco come on?Sorry, I see for Toronto Wilco tweeted Joan Shelley at 7:30/Wilco at 8:30. Has that been the case? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bböp Posted March 17, 2017 Author Share Posted March 17, 2017 What have been the set times? Beacon is listed as a 7:30 show. Has Joan Shelley been coming on right on schedule, how long of a set for her, and when has Wilco come on?Sorry, I see for Toronto Wilco tweeted Joan Shelley at 7:30/Wilco at 8:30. Has that been the case? Yes, and those times are pretty prompt. Basically the listed showtime is when the support act will come on and Wilco usually an hour after that (opener usually gets about 30 minutes, give or take). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SL500 Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 Glad to see Jeff addressing the standup / sit down issue. Almost seems to me right now that the shows will be mostly sitting down until IG. Also, I saw some social media video posts of the show last night and it looked incredible. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fourfeathers Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 I was fortunate enough to attend both nights, and for my money, night two blew night one away. Night one was a good show, but night two was a GREAT show! Both nights, the band took the stage promptly at 8:30. Night one was full of great moments, but I felt the setlist lacked flow. Every time a bit of energy got going in the crowd, the band kinda diffused it by bringing it down again. Which made the sit-stand battle even more awkward. I had a front row seat on the floor and it was hard to get fully immersed in the show when half the people in the front row were rockin', so I'd get up to rock with 'em, but then pods of people were still sitting and begging me to get down. A lot of pressure being in that situation! I was up in the balcony for night two, and the energy was INSANELY more kinetic the second show. Jeff's solo on "At Least That's What You Said" was so insane, people in the crowd who had previously been sitting, rose one by one with each vicious lick, and stayed upright the rest of the show. That track (and "Shouldn't Be Ashamed") had been evading me for years, so when they busted out killer versions, back-to-back no less, I knew it was a special show. The main difference between nights was once the band seized that crowd energy on night two, they didn't let go! Even the balcony was standing! "Radio Cure", "Theologians" and the entire encore were major highlights. Interesting that Jeff played an acoustic on "Spiders" for night one and electric on night two. Makes me think the night-to-night energy contrast was deliberate! It's been almost five years since I last saw Wilco, and these shows completely reinvigorated my appreciation for just how good a BAND these guys are. No one steps on any toes. Everyone adds, and no one dominates. (Though I really find it hard to stop watching Glenn and Pat. They're always adding something special.) Best I've ever seen Wilco, and definite contender for show of the year for me! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sun Caught Fire Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 Hey, you never know...you might even get a Monday in there to shake things up! Have fun in NYC...wish I could make it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sun Caught Fire Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 We will soldier on in your absence, but I love reading the posts even when Im there. I'm doing all 4 being sans excuse as a NYer. Really enjoyed all 4 in Chicago, and sorry had to miss Massey this year but good to have some home games. My sense is there will be at least a bit more setlist variety in NY than Chicago, but you know what they say about Wishful Thinking. We sure know they can just crank out the core songs of the current set amazingly well.I left Chicago ready for more and I know it will be the same after NY and hope to catch them somewhere before SS. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SL500 Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 This sit-stand thing is awful. I respect people's desire to sit, but please respect the fact that some of us are so moved by the music that we can't sit and truly connect with it. Seems to me that others tend to stand later and therefore connect later in the show than others. I'm going to request that Jeff gets crowd to stand rather than requesting a song for Big Ears show. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fourfeathers Posted March 17, 2017 Share Posted March 17, 2017 This sit-stand thing is awful. I respect people's desire to sit, but please respect the fact that some of us are so moved by the music that we can't sit and truly connect with it. Seems to me that others tend to stand later and therefore connect later in the show than others. I'm going to request that Jeff gets crowd to stand rather than requesting a song for Big Ears show. Jeff commented on night one that he doesn't want to get involved as it's an "audience issue, not a band issue", but some of my favourite shows have been where the artist directly controls the matter. On his Piano & a Microphone tour, Prince would tell people what to do before each song. "On your feet!" before Raspberry Beret. "You may be seated" before the tender ballads. I loved it! Also, for future reference for shows at Massey, there is a legitimate dancing zone that I was relegated to for a portion of the show. No one in the balcony was standing at the start of the show, but I just HAD to groove. I left my seat and stood at the back of the balcony so I wasn't blocking anyone, but was told by an usher that if I wanted to groove, I had to go to the "Dancing Pen". I shit you not. Great spot to rock when no one else is at Massey! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr. Heartbreak Posted March 18, 2017 Share Posted March 18, 2017 Jeff's solo on "At Least That's What You Said" was so insane, people in the crowd who had previously been sitting, rose one by one with each vicious lick, and stayed upright the rest of the show. That track (and "Shouldn't Be Ashamed") had been evading me for years, so when they busted out killer versions, back-to-back no less, I knew it was a special show. Listening to the original version of Shouldn't Be Ashamed on A.M., you'd never guess what a rocker it would be today, 23 years later. I was lucky enough to catch them playing that song in Atlanta on the Americanarama tour (the same show where they busted out Dark Star with Bob Weir), and I was on my feet and stomping one foot so hard during Shouldn't Be Ashamed, I think I injured myself! I also love Jeff's solos, especially on ALTWYS and Laminated Cat. I'm part of the tiny, tiny minority of Wilco fans who prefer Jeff's lead guitar playing to Nels. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
choo-choo-charlie Posted March 19, 2017 Share Posted March 19, 2017 Listening to the original version of Shouldn't Be Ashamed on A.M., you'd never guess what a rocker it would be today, 23 years later. I was lucky enough to catch them playing that song in Atlanta on the Americanarama tour (the same show where they busted out Dark Star with Bob Weir), and I was on my feet and stomping one foot so hard during Shouldn't Be Ashamed, I think I injured myself! I also love Jeff's solos, especially on ALTWYS and Laminated Cat. I'm part of the tiny, tiny minority of Wilco fans who prefer Jeff's lead guitar playing to Nels. I'm in the same boat. I love Jeff's style, and we don't get to hear enough of it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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