Wilco — 11 August 2017, Denver, CO (Coors Field Lot B, near 27th and Blake Streets) [Velorama Music Festival-Day 1 of 3]

[bböp]

Wilco's last real outdoor performance of the summer — I'm not counting that random, private Goose Island gig somewhere in Idaho next weekend — fit squarely into a category that I affectionately (or maybe not so affectionately) call "parking lot shows." Though such shows often sound pretty good due to good quality PA systems, they usually don't feature much in the way of scenery or intimacy. Fortunately for the crowd gathered for the new Velorama Music Festival, a three-day event revolving around a bicycle race, the bands on Night 1 (Wilco was joined on the bill by the New Pornographers and La Santa Cecilia) all turned in energetic sets.

Certainly from a Wilco standpoint, the big question going in was what state of mind its leader would be in after the very recent death of his father and whether he would share that loss with the audience or keep it private. The answer to the latter question finally came near the end of the 92-minute set, in the de facto encore, when Jeff informed the crowd that his dad had passed away last week. He said it was "a joyous event" where "I held his hand and said goodbye." With that, Jeff said he wanted to dedicate a song to his father "as a celebration of a life well lived." That song, of course, was Casino Queen, which Jeff quipped was "the first song (of mine) my dad liked, and probably the last song he liked." Near the end of the song, Jeff doffed his hat in honor of his dad. The whole dedication was a very touching moment, and I think Jeff's voice caught for a moment when he repeated one of his dad's favorite sayings: "If you know better, you can do better." I'm sure they had a complicated relationship, like a lot of fathers and sons, but you could tell there was a lot of love there.

While it would have been nice for Wilco to get a little more time to play, something approaching its usual set length, at least the Velorama show didn't feel quite so truncated for some reason. I guess maybe for me it was just that things never felt super rushed, which is good. Sometimes the band can feel like they're just getting warmed up during a typical festival set.

About the only issue that the band encountered came early on in the set when Nels experienced some technical problems that caused his guitar to drop out in the second half of If I Ever Was A Child and some of Cry All Day. Luckily the issues seemed to be resolved by the next song, I Am Trying To Break Your Heart (and kudos to Nels' guitar tech, Lance, who actually was only filling in for that role last night).

That brief snafu did lead to the only other significant visit to Banter Corner by Jeff, who was trying to fill some time while they sorted out Nels' issues. He poked a little fun at the crowd and the event, asking, "Were you all in the bike race today? Was the bike race to the stage as well? Did that push you all to get a front row spot?" Jeff also later joked about how they had more time to play some songs that weren't so sad, adding that a lot of his songs weren't sad "if you don't pay attention to the lyrics."

That comment immediately preceded another highlight for me, which was the interesting version of I'm Always In Love the band has been playing lately on occasion this year. Jeff is using what looks to me like some sort of gold-colored Gibson or Epiphone hollow-body guitar on that one and perhaps as a consequence, the result has been what (in my mind, anyway) is a sludgier, slightly slower version of the song that kind of gives it a bit of an earthiness somehow. Anyway, I like it. That song always brings a little extra energy to any set, I think.

Anyway I guess that's about all I've got for now, other than to report that Jeff wasn't sporting pigtails last night for the first time in a while (at least that I can remember). His hairstylist wasn't in attendance, so I'm sure that explains it. But without the pigtails, his hair really is long right now! Also, John was sporting a bit of a summer scruff beard. I suppose we'll see where we're at with the personal grooming when the tour picks up again next month...

Here was the complete Velorama setlist, as played (didn't get a look at a printed setlist, so can't say whether there were any changes/omissions):

Random Name Generator
Via Chicago
If I Ever Was A Child
Cry All Day
I Am Trying To Break Your Heart>
Art Of Almost
Pickled GInger
Misunderstood (hootenanny arrangement)
Someone To Lose
Bull Black Nova (acoustic/electric hybrid arrangement)
Reservations
Impossible Germany
Jesus, etc.
I'm Always In Love
Heavy Metal Drummer>
I'm The Man Who Loves You
Hummingbird
The Late Greats
Casino Queen (dedicated to Bob Tweedy)>
Outtasite (Outta Mind)

[Griddles]

I was there too. Good shows by Wilco and The New Pornographers. Getting into the festival was nice and easy, pretty crappy getting an ID bracelet and beer lines. I didn't even bother getting a drink. MY brother in law and his wife spent most of the shows just waiting in line for booze. Some excuses about the chip reader being slow, but still seems a bit ridiculous. Hopefully they have it figured out for tonight.

 

I haven't seen WIlco live in a while and haven't really listened to their latest albums much, but the show reminded me why they are my favorite band. Though seeing them live always makes me wonder when they went from being alt-country to alt-jam band?   

[Moss]

As always, great summary by BBop. I loved it. Been a few years since I have seen them. Glenn is still doing the rock star pose I see. The "Nothings" in Misunderstood have been pared down. They just seemed like a band at the top of their game. I was a bit worried as I thought the sound for new Pornographers was a bit muddy but Wilco sounded great. Of course I was much closer for them. Jeff seemed in really good spirits and smiling alot considering his week. The Nels solo in impossible Germany just gets more and more amazing every time I see them. That guy is a beast. It was such a perfect night and I got there before any ID lines and had a few beers before those grew big so got lucky. Since this was the 1st one hopefully they get better. Seemed like a very large crowd but I did not hear attendance numbers.

[billydee]

Loved the show last night, the only song on the set list and not played was Spiders, although it looks to have been an option for set closer along with Late Greats.

I was able to make a nice recording of both bands and hope to share those online sometime next week. 

[bböp]

Figured I would post the New Pornographers setlist as well, for anyone interested (Neko Case was not with them for this show; not sure if that'll be true for the entire little run of shows they're on now):

 

Moves

High Ticket Attractions

Brill Bruisers

Use It

Colosseums

Dancehall Domine

Whiteout Conditions

Champions Of Red Wine

The Jessica Numbers

This Is The World Of The Theater

Play Money

Testament To Youth In Verse

Mass Romantic

 

And just generally speaking, I have to say I enjoyed the crowd around me last night. There was a VIP section that was fenced off at stage right, but the majority of the people right up front seemed to be there for Wilco and seemed to be really into it. And with the exception of one or two little skirmishes that resulted in people shoving their way in and whatnot, everyone seemed very chill.

 

I happened to be standing behind what I think were a couple of dads who had come to the show with their teenaged-ish sons. One of the father-son pairs seemed to be especially into the Wilco show, pogoing a little bit and just generally just giving off good energy. It was fun watching them as the show progressed. I don't know if either of them ever comes on here, but afterward I complimented the son on his enthusiasm and told him never to lose that because it just makes for a better show upfront when people are actually into it and at least somewhat demonstrative, IMHO. I mean, why stand right up front if you're just going to stand there with your arms crossed? At least that's the way I feel about it.

[Magnetized]

 I happened to be standing behind what I think were a couple of dads who had come to the show with their teenaged-ish sons. One of the father-son pairs seemed to be especially into the Wilco show, pogoing a little bit and just generally just giving off good energy. It was fun watching them as the show progressed. I don't know if either of them ever comes on here, but afterward I complimented the son on his enthusiasm and told him never to lose that because it just makes for a better show upfront when people are actually into it and at least somewhat demonstrative, IMHO. I mean, why stand right up front if you're just going to stand there with your arms crossed? At least that's the way I feel about it.

Amen! Good on you for letting him know you appreciated his enthusiasm.

 

And thanks so much, as always, for the detailed reportage. It's the next best thing to being there. It made my heart happy to hear what Jeff said about his dad's passing.

[mpolak21]

That comment immediately preceded another highlight for me, which was the interesting version of I'm Always In Love the band has been playing lately on occasion this year. Jeff is using what looks to me like some sort of gold-colored Gibson or Epiphone hollow-body guitar on that one and perhaps as a consequence, the result has been what (in my mind, anyway) is a sludgier, slightly slower version of the song that kind of gives it a bit of an earthiness somehow. Anyway, I like it. That song always brings a little extra energy to any set, I think.

 

I think it's a Gibson ES-175 (https://loviesguitars.com/product/1979-gibson-es-175-natural/). Richard Thompson played one in the early days of Fairport Convention. I really like the newish arrangement of that as well. The xylophone is a nice touch. 

[billydee]

Recording link to Dime up now-

http://viachicago.org/topic/52539-wilco-velorama-festival-denver-co-08-11-2017/

[billydee]

Figured I would post the New Pornographers setlist as well, for anyone interested (Neko Case was not with them for this show; not sure if that'll be true for the entire little run of shows they're on now):

 

Moves

High Ticket Attractions

Brill Bruisers

Use It

Colosseums

Dancehall Domine

Whiteout Conditions

Champions Of Red Wine

The Jessica Numbers

This Is The World Of The Theater

Play Money

Testament To Youth In Verse

Mass Romantic

 

And just generally speaking, I have to say I enjoyed the crowd around me last night. There was a VIP section that was fenced off at stage right, but the majority of the people right up front seemed to be there for Wilco and seemed to be really into it. And with the exception of one or two little skirmishes that resulted in people shoving their way in and whatnot, everyone seemed very chill.

 

I happened to be standing behind what I think were a couple of dads who had come to the show with their teenaged-ish sons. One of the father-son pairs seemed to be especially into the Wilco show, pogoing a little bit and just generally just giving off good energy. It was fun watching them as the show progressed. I don't know if either of them ever comes on here, but afterward I complimented the son on his enthusiasm and told him never to lose that because it just makes for a better show upfront when people are actually into it and at least somewhat demonstrative, IMHO. I mean, why stand right up front if you're just going to stand there with your arms crossed? At least that's the way I feel about it.

Here's the New Pornographers recording, I'm really happy with it-

http://bt.etree.org/details.php?id=594775

http://www.dimeadozen.org/torrents-details.php?id=599053