Wilco — 23 September 2017, Kansas City, MO (Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland)

[bböp]

Whether it's simply a quirk of scheduling or a deliberate choice, the fact is that Wilco has performed in Kansas City almost like clockwork in recent years. Including tonight's show, the band has played in town each of the past three years, almost exactly at 12-month intervals. Jeff even noted as much, saying "We've come to see you more than about everybody. It's not just because of the barbecue." (pause) "It helps."

 

That familiarity helped breed a certain energy that, along with the venue and the timing (i.e. Saturday night), made for a pretty classic Wilco rock outing. I can't speak for anyone else, but I certainly walked out of the theater as blissfully sweaty and satisfied as I have in a long time after a show by the band. The awkwardly named Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland is a nicely restored downtown theater — for anyone familiar with The Vic in Chicago, think of that on steroids — that featured mostly general admission standing on the floor, although the owners also choose to have an annoying "pay for early entry" system and there is also early entry offered to customers of the bank that has the naming rights to the venue.

 

Fortunately the stage is wide enough that a healthy amount of the people who did not pay to skip the line still managed to get good enough positions at the front. Once spots were established, the vibe was generally good for the duration of the evening — at least as far as I could see.

 

As for the show itself, things really picked up from both a banter and energy standpoint toward the end of the main set. Impossible Germany and what Nels does with his solo on a nightly basis continues to provide a jolt of energy, and fittingly, the audience gave him an extended ovation afterward.

 

Before California Stars, Jeff commented that it was "kind of nice to play indoors here. The last two times we played here, we played outside a sandwich shop." Then, continuing on, Jeff added, "Do we look like outdoorsmen? This (venue) is more our style." He looked over at John and Pat and while the former was wearing a red plaid shirt and sporting a beard befitting his residence in Maine, the latter did not give off a similar impression. Sitting at his keyboard, Pat even deadpanned on mike, "I've never been outdoors." Jeff then turned toward Mike, who was wearing a newsboy cap, and quipped, "The last time he went outdoors, it was to sell papers." That elicited a hearty heyyyooo from both Jeff and some of the audience, and perhaps even Mike himself.

 

The indoor/outdoor banter continued after Cali Stars, which featured a banjitar solo by Pat that drew a hearty response from the crowd. Jeff remarked, "Now we know what Pat's been doing inside," and added that he thought everyone in the audience should immediately go home, look themselves in the mirror and ask why they reacted that way to a banjo.

 

The other significant visit to Banter Corner came shortly thereafter, when Jeff preceded Heavy Metal Drummer by asking if anyone was from St. Louis. That drew a loud chorus of boos, owing to the rivalry between the two major Missouri cities. Jeff recoiled a bit, saying that he "didn't mean to be so divisive. You know I'm from St. Louis, right? I have to say I feel a little bit hurt." Then, in a bid for unity, Jeff wryly suggested, "Let's stop this competition between cities and sports teams ... What's wrong with wanting everybody to be OK? What kind of monster wouldn't want that? I think I know one."

 

That was the end of the political talk for the night, though. Instead, the band simply closed out the night with some good old-fashioned rock 'n' roll (USA, USA...just kidding). Locator>Spiders (Kidsmoke) at the end of the first encore was the first blast, with the crowd eventually embracing the singing riff. Then came Monday>Outtasite (Outta Mind) in the second encore. Interestingly, Jeff started into Monday without doing the count-in — not sure if that was intentional or not.

 

Anyway, by then, I was already a sweaty mess, rejuvenated once again by the music (and reuniting with some old friends) and eager to see what the rest of this final Wilco run for some time brings...

 

Here was the complete setlist, as played (pretty sure there were no changes from the printed list):

 

Ashes Of American Flags

If I Ever Was A Child

Cry All Day

I Am Trying To Break Your Heart>

Art Of Almost

Pickled Ginger

Side With The Seeds

Passenger Side

Someone To Lose

Via Chicago

Bull Black Nova (acoustic/electric hybrid arrangement)

Reservations

Impossible Germany

Whole Love

California Stars

Christ For President

Heavy Metal Drummer>

I'm The Man Who Loves You

Casino Queen

Hummingbird

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

Random Name Generator

Jesus, etc.

Locator>

Spiders (Kidsmoke) (electric arrangement)

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

Monday>

Outtasite (Outta Mind)

[The Inside of Outside]

Side With The Seeds  - yes!

Whole Love  - yes!

Christ For President  - and yes!

 

Sounds like it was a great show at the Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland (that is a crack up of a name - I am still chuckling).

[M Christine]

The slower arrangement of I'm The Man Who Loves You, coupled with Jeff's vulnerable reading, left me with full body goosebumps. 

Like bbop, we left a sweaty mess. What a tremendous, loose, happy show. I have been spoiled, I know, living in a city that Wilco frequents, and seems to feel comfortable playing. Last night seemed all the more poignant, knowing it might be a long ass time before I get to see the band again. Wishing you well, Wilco, in all of your various endeavors in 2018. You have given me so much joy.

 

bbop, always so delightful for Sarah and I to be able to spend time with you. Looking forward to the next time! xo

 

[M Christine]

Also, how bizarre that the board has erased my history here.

[choo-choo-charlie]

Some thoughts on last night's show in KC, which was my 11th.

 

-No one calls it Arvest Bank, etc., corporate sponsor such and such. Everyone just calls it The Midland.

 

-The sound, at first, was not good. Very boomy and Jeff's acoustic was way too high in the mix. I was a little worried initially that this was not a good venue for Wilco, being their first time playing there, and this was the sound we were gonna get. It was corrected within 2-3 songs. Whew.

 

-Once the sound was dialed in, it was perfect. Stan Doty is a master of his craft, blending six musicians into a wonderfully cohesive mix.

 

-Song selection and pacing of the show was excellent. Saw a fair amount of people heading for the bar and/or bathroom during Reservations. It's a beautiful song, but sometimes it can bring a set to a halt if not placed well. I thought it worked here, following the extra creepy, new hybrid acoustic-electric arrangement of BBN. And then they built the energy right back up through the end.

 

-Speaking of energy, the entire show had a sense of urgency I hadn't heard before, and I've seen some real barnburner Wilco sets. I chalk it up to this being the last tour before a long, well-deserved break. Every song had just a little extra oomph behind it, the individual performances were crisp and the ensemble playing was super tight. Like they're gonna make this a tour to remember.

 

-I dig the smaller rigs. Smaller amps, smaller drum kit, simpler keyboard set ups. You could really see every band member and watch them work. Mikael wasn't buried in a galaxy of keyboards. And despite the smaller equipment setup, they brought the energy, volume and electricity.

 

-They all seemed to be having a lot of fun. I swear John Stirratt works on his vertical leap in the offseason. Jeff can be so surly onstage but he was loose, confident, cracking jokes, and had wonderful stage banter.

 

-I've been very open lately about my boredom with Impossible Germany. Sometimes Nels inspires me, sometimes I think the solo goes on too long and he's just going through the motions. Lots of notes don't always mean lots of soul. I often use it as my bar/bathroom break song. Last night's was different. It was the best IG I've ever heard, hands down.

 

-Speaking of guitar solos, Jeff's last solo in ITMWLY was fantastic. He basically played a feedback solo without picking any notes or playing any licks, only manipulating the notes with his left hand and working the vibrato bar *hard* in his right hand. And of course it's fun and a mega crowd pleaser to watch Glenn stand atop his kit during the intro.

 

-The AM/BT tunes bring the house down. Everyone loves the old school rock and roll bar band Wilco.

 

-Out of the 11 shows I've seen, this was easily top 5. I hope it gets a Roadcase release. It's a keeper.

[kidsmoke]

Also, how bizarre that the board has erased my history here.

 

What? I have no clue about this, Chris!  Anyway, wonderful to see you and hear what a fantastic show you got! Paul, brilliant and engaging write-up, as always. I can imagine myself there from your description.

[jaredthehoosier]

fantastic show.    anyone have any good photos?   hopefully one of them when they all posed when glenn stood on drums?

 

also, does anyone else think that they are taking 2018 off to rest up for a monster 25 year anniversary tour?  

[choo-choo-charlie]

fantastic show.    anyone have any good photos?   hopefully one of them when they all posed when glenn stood on drums?

 

also, does anyone else think that they are taking 2018 off to rest up for a monster 25 year anniversary tour?  

 

I usually don't take photos at a concert and like to enjoy the performance as it's happening. There were a few people around me who probably saw most of the show through their phone screens. Simply my preference to take it in without trying to document it. If photos are what you're seeking, I think I saw a few photos over on the Facebook equivalent of this group. I believe it's called "A Shot in the Arm: Wilco Fan Group." It is a closed group and you have to request access, and I think you have to answer a few Wilco-related questions...they're trying to filter out trolls and fake accounts.

 

My guess is they're taking the year off because they all have lots of commitments outside of Wilco, including non-musical commitments, to which they want to devote their time and energy. Wilco has toured constantly for 20+ years. This lineup has toured constantly since forming in 2004. The last several years have seen lots of output: the second Jeff/Mavis Staples record in 2013, a Tweedy album in 2014, Star Wars in 2015, Schmilco in 2016, plus a few Solid Sound festivals and Wilco tours in between everything. They've been working their asses off for many years and deserve a break, in my opinion. Plus, they're all getting older, some of them have families, and probably wish to slow down their pace of life and workload. 

 

Perhaps they have new material they want to work on next year, or maybe they don't, and plan to write/record an album. Or maybe they have few plans to work together. Or perhaps Jeff is going to work with Spencer on another Tweedy record. Who knows. Would I love a "monster 25 year anniversary tour" in 2019? Well, of course! But I wouldn't be surprised if the amount of touring slowed down in the future, either. Right now I'm happy to have caught one of these final shows before the break.

 

I am NOT trying to insinuate that it may be, but they played that KC show like it was one of their last (for a period, as we know). I definitely caught that kind of vibe. 

[jaredthehoosier]

I usually don't take photos at a concert and like to enjoy the performance as it's happening. There were a few people around me who probably saw most of the show through their phone screens. Simply my preference to take it in without trying to document it. If photos are what you're seeking, I think I saw a few photos over on the Facebook equivalent of this group. I believe it's called "A Shot in the Arm: Wilco Fan Group." It is a closed group and you have to request access, and I think you have to answer a few Wilco-related questions...they're trying to filter out trolls and fake accounts.

 

My guess is they're taking the year off because they all have lots of commitments outside of Wilco, including non-musical commitments, to which they want to devote their time and energy. Wilco has toured constantly for 20+ years. This lineup has toured constantly since forming in 2004. The last several years have seen lots of output: the second Jeff/Mavis Staples record in 2013, a Tweedy album in 2014, Star Wars in 2015, Schmilco in 2016, plus a few Solid Sound festivals and Wilco tours in between everything. They've been working their asses off for many years and deserve a break, in my opinion. Plus, they're all getting older, some of them have families, and probably wish to slow down their pace of life and workload. 

 

Perhaps they have new material they want to work on next year, or maybe they don't, and plan to write/record an album. Or maybe they have few plans to work together. Or perhaps Jeff is going to work with Spencer on another Tweedy record. Who knows. Would I love a "monster 25 year anniversary tour" in 2019? Well, of course! But I wouldn't be surprised if the amount of touring slowed down in the future, either. Right now I'm happy to have caught one of these final shows before the break.

 

I am NOT trying to insinuate that it may be, but they played that KC show like it was one of their last (for a period, as we know). I definitely caught that kind of vibe. 

i'm still going with the 25 year anniversary tour.     i'll check out the fb page.     i don't take photos either.    i am envisioning a very nice new wallpaper for my triple monitors...    the show at the midland might have been my favorite wilco show ever.      

 

* i just tried to find that FB group and couldn't find anything.    i did find this photo, which is almost what i'm looking for:

https://www.facebook.com/wilcohq/photos/a.127996970420.136900.8290410420/10155689762600421/?type=3&theater

[Magnetized]

Hey there. I'm a moderator on that Facebook group. Just search on Facebook for A Shot in the Arm: the Wilco fan group. What choo-choo-charlie said above is accurate. You will find one very simple question (What's your favorite Wilco album? Tell us more if you'd like.) The purpose of the question is to provide at least a minimum barrier to entry to keep out people who are simply group collectors--people who want to join every group under the sun and just want to troll or promote something.

 

I'm always referring members to Via Chicago over there, by the way, for anybody looking for an in-depth discussion or authoritative setlists, etc. Also we keep a fairly strict rule about making sure the content is Wilco related. I'm always telling people who want to discuss other artists they're enthusiastic about or who want to engage in political discussions that they should go to Via Chicago. There is a lot of overlap in the audience for both VC and A Shot in the Arm but to my way of thinking the two groups can constructively coexist, with one enhancing the other.

[choo-choo-charlie]

Here's a direct link to the Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/390889574423674/.

 

Same as Magnetized; I'm constantly mentioning Via Chicago and encouraging people to hop over to this board, which is far more organized than the FB group. 

[calvino]

Are you guys trying to start a turf war or something?

 

('turf war' is probably on my brain since I watched a bit of last night's Tupac/Biggie Fox investigation special)

[choo-choo-charlie]

Are you guys trying to start a turf war or something?

 

('turf war' is probably on my brain since I watched a bit of last night's Tupac/Biggie Fox investigation special)

 

Hahahaha, now that's funny. I was a member of VC looooooooong before I even know about this FB group. Really just stumbled onto it one day randomly, and have been an active participant there since things went a little dormant here. I certainly lobbied hard for Being There during the voting period leading up to the album show at Solid Sound this year.

 

In my observation, there seem to be a lot more new-ish Wilco fans there vs. the hardcore fans we have here, who know the deepest and dorkiest details about the band, songs, albums, tours, what have you. And, as it is with many FB groups, plenty of people who start threads looking for information that is readily available on the Internets and could be found through a Google search.

 

I don't see them as intruding on one another, though I do appreciate the organization of topics/threads/forums/information here vs. the random/chaotic, "what's the post of the day today?" approach of the FB group. 

[jaredthehoosier]

Hey there. I'm a moderator on that Facebook group. Just search on Facebook for A Shot in the Arm: the Wilco fan group. What choo-choo-charlie said above is accurate. You will find one very simple question (What's your favorite Wilco album? Tell us more if you'd like.) The purpose of the question is to provide at least a minimum barrier to entry to keep out people who are simply group collectors--people who want to join every group under the sun and just want to troll or promote something.

 

I'm always referring members to Via Chicago over there, by the way, for anybody looking for an in-depth discussion or authoritative setlists, etc. Also we keep a fairly strict rule about making sure the content is Wilco related. I'm always telling people who want to discuss other artists they're enthusiastic about or who want to engage in political discussions that they should go to Via Chicago. There is a lot of overlap in the audience for both VC and A Shot in the Arm but to my way of thinking the two groups can constructively coexist, with one enhancing the other.

I found it... thanks!    and... as I typed this someone approved me already.    

[Albert Tatlock]

Also, how bizarre that the board has erased my history here.

I can see "M. (hristine" still near the top of the top poster list and can see some posts in the poster history. Maybe you forgot your anachronistic spelling? Anyway, nice to hear from you. Ta-ra.

[Magnetized]

Are you guys trying to start a turf war or something?

 

('turf war' is probably on my brain since I watched a bit of last night's Tupac/Biggie Fox investigation special)

Hmm, well we are East Coast (me)/West Coast (Kidsmoke). But we're pacifists. Nary a gun to be found on us!

I found it... thanks! and... as I typed this someone approved me already.

That was me. Welcome!

[kidsmoke]

Well Diane, full-disclosure, I do have a pop gun with a cork end...got that while traveling to SSF 2 on our cross-country trip. But no worries, my aim is lousy.

[M Christine]

I can see "M. (hristine" still near the top of the top poster list and can see some posts in the poster history. Maybe you forgot your anachronistic spelling? Anyway, nice to hear from you. Ta-ra.

Andrew, indeed that must be the case. In my haste to post, I found the first login that worked. Nice to hear from you as well.