bböp Posted June 19, 2017 Share Posted June 19, 2017 To conclude a two-week run of dates leading up to next weekend's biennial gathering in the Berkshires, Wilco returned to its "home next to our home," for a Father's Day foray into the fauxliage. This came about 20 hours or so after stepping off stage following a Saturday night headlining set in a real forest at the Eaux Claires Festival (and a day full of spotlighting various side projects before that), and one of the questions for me going in was how the band would follow that experience up. The answer, as always of course, was professionally. That term can imply a number of things, but Wilco is a band that never seems to be just going through the motions. And so the Milwaukee audience got treated to a few unique setlist nuggets and an energetic conclusion that mirrored that of the previous evening's show. Inevitably with a reserved-seat theater show, there was some degree of sitting-standing quandary at the start and Milwaukee was no exception. At least on the main floor, it seemed split almost down the middle (in fact I turned to look around at one point and virtually the entire right center orchestra section was standing, while nearly the entire left orchestra section was sitting; that would have kind of been a cool photo). It seemed like most folks eventually got to their feet during the Heart>Art segment and once we collectively had weathered the Reservations "storm," most of the audience remained on its feet the rest of the way. For me, anyway, it was a delight to hear Poor Places again with the full band. Aside from a couple of performances last fall on the West Coast — Sandy, you were right about the Fillmore! — it had been more than two years since the band last played it. And back in the spring of 2015 when the song was in somewhat regular rotation, it transitioned into Art Of Almost, so actually it had been since the Winterlude in Chicago in December 2014 that we'd heard the lovely segue into Reservations that closes out Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Along with How To Fight Loneliness, the middle of the main set definitely featured some of the sadder songs in the Wilco canon so before moving into the decidedly rock 'n' roll final portion of the main set, Jeff had to take a moment (as he sometimes does) to let the audience know that "I think we're out of the woods. That was the last depressing song in the set tonight. We made it!" Banter Corner wasn't particularly bustling, though Jeff did address the occasion of Father's Day a couple of times. And as usual, he offered an interesting take on it. He wished a happy Father's Day "to all the single mothers out there, doing it all. Fathers don't do shit. We don't deserve a day...sheesh. It takes nothing to be a father; I'm talking about the initial deed — it's simple." Later in the show, not to leave anyone out, he also wished a happy Father's Day "to all the single fathers out there." The only other comment I jotted down came after a loud ovation for Nels following his Impossible Germany solo when Jeff said, admiringly, "It gets better every year." And during a somewhat tepid start to the Spiders audience chant segment, Jeff quipped, "You can do better than that. Don't let Rockford beat you." Otherwise, Jeff's only other notable remarks reiterated the band's gratitude to a Milwaukee audience he called "neighbors." On a brief personal note, I definitely missed some of those neighbors last night. It almost didn't seem like a proper Milwaukee show without some of the biggest Wisconsin Wilco fans I know in attendance. And reserved theater shows are always a bit of a struggle anyway; even if you're lucky enough to score a seat where a tall person doesn't partially obstruct your view of some part of the stage, you're still limited in your ability to dance or move around for fear of bumping or distracting those next you. So while I wouldn't say last night's show was my favorite of the ones I've been able to attend recently, it was certainly more than enjoyable in its own way. And I'm definitely looking forward to seeing plenty more familiar faces in a few short days. Onward to Solid Sound V! This was the complete setlist for Milwaukee, as played (the only change from the printed list was a swapping in of Monday for I Got You (At The End of the Century) in the second encore): Via ChicagoNormal American KidsIf I Ever Was A ChildCry All DayMuzzle Of BeesI Am Trying To Break Your Heart>Art Of AlmostPickled GingerMisunderstood (hootenanny arrangement — Nels on lap steel, Pat on banjitar, John on 12-string acoustic guitar)Someone To LosePoor Places>ReservationsImpossible GermanyHow To Fight LonelinessForget The FlowersBox Full Of LettersHeavy Metal Drummer>I'm The Man Who Loves YouHummingbirdThe Late Greats--------------------------------------California Stars (with Kacy and Clayton and band on vocals, electric guitar and percussion)LocatorRandom Name Generator>Spiders (Kidsmoke) (electric arrangement)I'm A Wheel--------------------------------------Monday>Outtasite (Outta Mind) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted June 19, 2017 Share Posted June 19, 2017 Impossible GermsnySince you are, no doubt, the bane of JTs life by pointing out his every lyric flub, I feel somewhat duty bound to point out your setlist flub. Let him without sin ... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Madcap Posted June 19, 2017 Share Posted June 19, 2017 Damnit that was a fun show Quote Link to post Share on other sites
theashtraysays Posted June 19, 2017 Share Posted June 19, 2017 Poor Places > Reservations. Man, I hope that stays on the setlist for SSF!! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bböp Posted June 19, 2017 Author Share Posted June 19, 2017 Since you are, no doubt, the bane of JTs life by pointing out his every lyric flub, I feel somewhat duty bound to point out your setlist flub. Let him without sin ... Damn you, Tatlock. I did have a couple of typo flubs there, and in fact was going back to correct them, but the speed with which you consume internet postings never ceases to amaze me... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted June 19, 2017 Share Posted June 19, 2017 Damn you, Tatlock. I did have a couple of typo flubs there, and in fact was going back to correct them, but the speed with which you consume internet postings never ceases to amaze me... You were unlucky that I actually read that one. Usually my (patented) 'Ta' bot does all the work for me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bböp Posted June 19, 2017 Author Share Posted June 19, 2017 You were unlucky that I actually read that one. Usually my (patented) 'Ta' bot does all the work for me. Now that makes me envious. I need to get a bot for show reviews. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Preferred B Posted June 19, 2017 Share Posted June 19, 2017 Thanks for the recap, P! It felt a little weird not to be there, but sometimes with work and $$ and driving time and fests on back to back weekends (and the general march of time), ya just gotta make the call. Sounds like a good time as always, with another great rocking finish. I hope you got some custard. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Albert Tatlock Posted June 19, 2017 Share Posted June 19, 2017 Father's Day foray into the fauxliage Nice work! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bböp Posted June 19, 2017 Author Share Posted June 19, 2017 Nice work! High praise! No bots were involved in the creation of that alliteration... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Madcap Posted June 19, 2017 Share Posted June 19, 2017 I was really on the fence about this show after the relatively static setlists in Chicago, but thank god I went. Poor Places, How to Fight Loneliness, Monday, Muzzle of Bees and Forget the Flowers, hell yes. Energy was great too once people started standing up. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Beltmann Posted June 20, 2017 Share Posted June 20, 2017 On a brief personal note, I definitely missed some of those neighbors last night. Missed you, Paul. We were there, but didn't see you... afterwards Stacy said she thought she glimpsed you from afar but wasn't sure. Our seats were on the first floor (Row S) and it was indeed weird with the sit?/stand? awkwardness in the middle. I've seen Wilco in Milwaukee plenty of times and I don't think the floor has ever been so reluctant to stand. (We like to stand, and were grateful when people finally were up on their feet.) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bböp Posted June 21, 2017 Author Share Posted June 21, 2017 Missed you, Paul. We were there, but didn't see you... afterwards Stacy said she thought she glimpsed you from afar but wasn't sure.Well, rats! Would've been nice to say hello in person. Glad you guys enjoyed the show. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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