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Wilco — 7 June 2017, Rochester Hills, MI (Meadow Brook Amphitheatre)


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It's late, I only have my phone with me at the moment (and have already lost one post I started) and I've been driving all day, so please forgive what might be a somewhat abbreviated recap of Wilco's kickoff show of a brief run of gigs leading up to Solid Sound V in a couple of weeks.

Tonight's venue north of Detroit was fairly reminiscent of other classic outdoor sheds like Merriweather Post Pavillion or Wolf Trap, the latter of which the band will play again in a couple of days. Fortunately it turned out to be a lovely late spring/early summer evening that was perfect for a concert in that type of setting. Jeff even commented early on that "you got your money's worth with the night," and joking that he planned to do some Yelp reviews of evenings. Along with the "fauxliage" stage backdrop making (perhaps?) its outdoor debut, there definitely was a bit of a pastoral air to the show.

Banter Corner was fairly active tonight, though Jeff kept the political rants to a minimum. Instead, toward the end of the show he took a moment to say that "everyone that you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. So be kind always. ... I think Plato said that. So it's about time we figured it out." He couldn't resist one jab at our (insert adjective here) leader, though, quipping at one point, "I've never been with any Russian hookers. I think we should all let each other know that."

Other comments included a brief nod to the area's protopunk heritage with bands like The Stooges and the MC5 that likely inspired a song like Pickled Ginger. "That's the kind of rock and roll that comes from these hills, or so I'm told," Jeff said after playing it. Jeff also mentioned the fan vote for which album the band would play in full at Solid Sound and offered the Michigan crowd "a preview" with the second encore that closed out the show.

For me, maybe because I could hear Nels' guitar very clearly for some reason tonight, Impossible Germany was a standout. Nels really seemed to stretch his solo out a bit more than usual and he really played fluidly and gorgeously, IMHO. Ashes to open, though not necessarily a surprise anymore, is also always welcome.

Anyway, that's probably all I can tap out for now on the phone. So if I'm forgetting anything major, maybe someone else will chime in.

In the meantime, here was the complete setlist as played (didn't get a look at a printed setlist, so can't say if there were any omissions/changes):

Ashes Of American Flags
Normal American Kids
If I Ever Was A Child
Cry All Day
I Am Trying To Break Your Heart>
Art Of Almost
Pickled Ginger
Misunderstood (hootenanny arrangement — Nels on lap steel, Pat on banjitar and John on 12-string acoustic guitar)
Someone To Lose
War On War
Via Chicago
Reservations
Impossible Germany
We Aren't The World (Safety Girl)
Box Full Of Letters
Theologians
Heavy Metal Drummer>
I'm The Man Who Loves You
Hummingbird
The Late Greats
------------------------------------
Random Name Generator
Jesus, etc.
Locator
Spiders (Kidsmoke) (electric arrangement)
-------------------------------------
I Got You (At The End of the Century)>
Outtasite (Outta Mind)

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Ta, muchly, mon ami. Did you buy any pencils?

I didn't hear about the pencils until afterward, unfortunately, so I did not. I can't even say for sure they had them at the merch stand, though they probably did.

 

Oh, and by the way, I totally forgot to report on various band members' appearances (as if!). So maybe some will be happy to note that Pat has shed the winter beard. And Jeff is more or less cleanly shaven to start the tour. I think he'll probably be sufficiently beardy again by the time Solid Sound rolls along, though. He also was sporting even more prominent pigtails than ever before; he's kind of moving into Willie territory there IMHO. B)

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I add my thanks for the recap!  I always enjoy reading about the shows, especially when I'm there, as I was last night.  It was a perfect evening, both for the weather and the band.  This was my 16th Wilco show since my first in 1999 (20th if I count Jeff Tweedy solo shows) and before the show started, I found myself wondering if I might be getting a bit tired of attending the shows.  My answer came about 2 minutes into the show as I found myself smiling and so happy to be there, listening to my favorite band, and bopping along with everyone.

I was still smiling as I left the show.  What a great night!

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I found myself wondering if I might be getting a bit tired of attending the shows.  My answer came about 2 minutes into the show as I found myself smiling and so happy to be there,

I go through these periods, too. Once again, glad to be in the Wilco boat. Solid Sound, here I come.

 

Opener was great, too. Voice reminded me of Angel Olsen I think. Anyone have thoughts on Kacy & Clayton's set?

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