Jeff Tweedy — 5 April 2018, Royal Oak, MI (Royal Oak Music Theatre)

[bböp]

At just about every Jeff Tweedy solo show I've ever attended, and especially at the kickoff show for a solo tour like tonight's in Michigan, there's a bit of suspense at the start as Jeff tries to read the crowd, the crowd tries to read him and we all see how the evening might transpire. There are some shows where Jeff doesn't say anything for quite a while into his set, and there are some when the audience is too polite — or not — and then things take their course.

 

Three songs into this show at the Royal Oak Music Theatre (where, incidentally, Wilco played a memorable one-off gig nearly eight years ago now), Jeff had already broken any ice that may have been present in this long midwestern winter that refuses to yield to spring. It started innocently enough, as he struggled to keep in tune one of his Kel Kroydon guitars that I believe were made by Gibson in the 1930s in Kalamazoo. "These are old guitars — they hate you," Jeff said. "Actually they hate me. They were made right up the street, or somewhere around here. Somewhere in this state. This is Michigan, right?" Then Jeff couldn't help but poke a little fun at the audience by joking that "they told me that this is just a warmup show for Hamilton, Ontario." Which of course drew a round of boos and a shout of "Fuck Hamilton." To which Jeff replied, "Yeah, fuck Hamilton. I'm not going. Depending on how things go, I might just stay (here)." Which of course drew cheers.

 

But that wasn't nearly the end of that hilarious digression. Jeff went on to talk about how he was sure Royal Oak was great and how he realized at some point that pretty much every place he had ever been was "kind of OK." Basically he said he could see why people had ultimately stopped and settled where they did — "except Indianapolis. Sorry, Hoosiers. Why did (people) stop there, quarries?" One of my favorite Jeff one-liners ever, I think (maybe because I grew up in Indiana). He ended the discussion by throwing some shade on his own hometown of St. Louis, saying something about how people probably only stopped there because it looked like Germany, and then naturally went into New Madrid.

 

A few songs later, this thread continued after Jeff played one of the new songs he's been playing this year, Let's Go Rain, and encouraged the audience to sing along. After the song, Jeff mentioned how he had recently played some shows in the UK and one review he read called it "a throwaway song." He mock bristled at the comment, joking that he had written the editor of the publication to ask him how easy it was to write a song an audience could sing along with the very first time it had heard it. Then, of course, came the inevitable punchline: "England...now I understand why they left for Indianapolis."

 

About halfway through his set, Jeff noticed that more than a few men toward the front of the crowd were getting up to presumably use the bathroom and joked that there always came a time about 40 to 45 minutes into his set when a certain percentage of gentlemen would have to do that. "Go ahead, I'll wait," Jeff told one person as they got up out of their seat. "What's your favorite song?" (edit: It was apparently a woman, and she replied I Must Be High, because I'm pretty sure that's what Jeff then impishly started to play before stopping and saying that he wouldn't play that because "that song doesn't sound good on acoustic guitar.")

 

The night's other best, and perhaps most revealing, bit of banter came toward the end of the main set. I'm not even entirely sure what exactly prompted it, but Jeff said before playing Jesus, etc., that no one had seemed to notice or give him credit for his new persona. "You know how some musicians, like David Bowie, have different personas?" Jeff said. "Well, mine is a little heavier — Chubby Stardust? ... This isn't me at all; it's an illusion." Jeff then told a story about a recent gig when his now-18-year-old son Sammy had asked him just prior to him taking the stage whether he had ever thought about not wearing the Stetson hat that has become one of his signatures. "Because maybe you should," Jeff quoted Sammy as saying. Jeff said that's when he developed this persona and retreated into it, so as to be "immune to your slings and arrows."

 

There were the some of the usual other bits of banter as well that Jeff has used at a number of his recent solo performances, including the line about how he looks like a performer that needs encouragement as well as the bit about how one advantage of never having had a hit meant there wasn't one song he had to play every night but one disadvantage was how most people would leave not hearing the song they wanted to hear. After that latter bit, Jeff reiterated how he would like everyone who had heard a song they enjoyed to leave so he could mop up what was left of the crowd.

 

Musically speaking, it usually takes Jeff one show after a long layoff to get back into the performance groove. So the first show back can sometimes be a bit ragged, but as first shows go, this one wasn't too bad. Not to say there weren't a handful of flubs, but none completely derailed any songs. Then again, the setlist was a pretty conservative one through the main set; he clearly stuck to the songs he probably feels most comfortable playing right now. Anyway, in the spirit of Jeff's sense of humor, let's just say I've seen worse.

 

The encore was, for me, the highlight of the musical portion of the show. I don't think people realize how rare a solo performance of Handshake Drugs is, and especially with harmonica. I only can find a couple of instances in the archives when Jeff has ever publicly played it solo, and I can't ever remember it with harmonica. So that was a treat to hear. And We've Been Had and Theologians (which featured the rare "riff ending") are both just excellent crowd-pleasing tunes. Not to mention closing with the always-lively A Shot in the Arm.

 

Incidentally, a small plug for Chicago-based support act Ohmme (who are the duo of Sima Cunningham from the Tweedy band and her longtime friend Macie Stewart, who used to play in Kids These Days among many other things). They are one of the best young bands in Chicago these days, and even though they won't have a drummer on this tour as they usually do, they are well worth arriving early and checking out. I can't promise their sound will be to everyone's taste, but if you like female voices, electric guitar and interesting arrangements, you definitely shouldn't miss it.

 

On a personal note, I watched this show with the slightest tinge of bittersweet feelings knowing that I will have to miss the entire upcoming run of shows in Canada and knowing that Jeff, like most performers, typically gets better as he plays more and gets into a rhythm. So I will be counting on some other folks on here to hopefully provide some reports about the gigs in the Great White North. They sound like they will be taking place in some unique places and spaces, so I hope that anyone going to one or more of those shows has a blast — and reports back...

 

In the meantime, here was the complete setlist for Royal Oak as played:

 

Via Chicago (w/harmonica)

new song-Bombs Above

I Am Trying To Break Your Heart

New Madrid

Impossible Germany

new song-Don't Forget

Lost Love

You And I

Hummingbird

new song-Let's Go Rain

Laminated Cat (aka Not For The Season)

Bull Black Nova

Passenger Side

Locator

Jesus, etc.

Born Alone

I'm The Man Who Loves You

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

We've Been Had

Theologians

Handshake Drugs (w/harmonica)

A Shot in the Arm

[Albert Tatlock]

Ta

[Magnetized]

Thanks so much, Paul. When Jeff’s on tour I always look for your recaps first thing in the morning and you did not disappoint. I hope our friends in the Great White North take up the challenge in your absence.

 

Oh, and I wish Jeff would heed Sammy’s advice and lose that hat occasionally! There would be no slings or arrows from this fan!

[Dusty]

It was a woman sitting right next to me who got up to use the bathroom when Jeff made a comment and asked her favorite song after she told him, "Don't play my favorite song!" When he asked her what her favorite song was, she said, I Must be High.

 

I thought the show was amazing (even though 90 min. went by in the blink of an eye), but then again, I find that disappointment and Jeff on stage are an impossibility together!!! I'm always blown away by his musical genius.

[theashtraysays]

Nova’s.... out of tune Kel’s..... bbop recap’s.... snarky banter....

 

And all was right with the world.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[50footqueenie]

"On a personal note, I watched this show with the slightest tinge of bittersweet feelings knowing that I will have to miss the entire upcoming run of shows in Canada..."

 

You're not going to your 2nd favourite country (after Scotland) - with all your Canadania fetishes???

 

Bloody 'ell!

[LittleDrummerBoy]

That was an awesome show! If Wilco or Jeff Tweedy is within 4 hours of Pittsburgh, there’s a decent chance I’ll be there. Regarding the comment about a bunch of people leaving, I was on the aisle, and I had to get up at least half a dozen times to let men out to use the restroom (during songs). However, for my first time seeing Jeff solo, it was an incredible show. I loved hearing Handshake Drugs as well as You and I. I believe you (bbop) sat a couple rows ahead of us in the front left section. Overall, wonderful show.

[bböp]

It was a woman sitting right next to me who got up to use the bathroom when Jeff made a comment and asked her favorite song after she told him, "Don't play my favorite song!" When he asked her what her favorite song was, she said, I Must be High.

 

I thought the show was amazing (even though 90 min. went by in the blink of an eye), but then again, I find that disappointment and Jeff on stage are an impossibility together!!! I'm always blown away by his musical genius.

[bböp]

"On a personal note, I watched this show with the slightest tinge of bittersweet feelings knowing that I will have to miss the entire upcoming run of shows in Canada..."

 

You're not going to your 2nd favourite country (after Scotland) - with all your Canadania fetishes???

 

Bloody 'ell!

I know. Major bummer.

[Suki]

What a great show, and as always, I looked forward to the recap!

 

I thought Jeff's remarks about his new persona were great.  He started off by asking if people had noticed what was new -- hair, hat, and a little chubby. 

 

Also, he mentioned there was only one of his songs that ever was played at weddings.  He waited while people called out possibilities and said he wouldn't play until we guessed.  Then he launched into You and I.

[TCP]

Great recap as always, Paul. Sounds like a great show, even if the crowd was bashing a Canadian city! 

 

Also, he mentioned there was only one of his songs that ever was played at weddings.  He waited while people called out possibilities and said he wouldn't play until we guessed.  Then he launched into You and I.

My wedding song! And here I was thinking I was so original.

[Dusty]

Great recap!!! It helped me relive it!

[Sandy in SFCA]

Thanks for a great recap, Paul! I always enjoy hearing your perspective on the shows I can't make. Unfortunately, I'm also unable to attend the Canadian run of shows, but hope our friends up there can give us some info.

 

See you at the Vic! 

[BoboBrazil666]

 

Also, he mentioned there was only one of his songs that ever was played at weddings.  He waited while people called out possibilities and said he wouldn't play until we guessed.

 

(And he took Bull Black Nova out of contention.)

 

BR

[Sun Caught Fire]

Yes, a very big thanks as always the next best thing to Being There. And even when I go they are a great read! Perhaps JT could webcast a few shows as that is getting more common.

[theashtraysays]

Also, he mentioned there was only one of his songs that ever was played at weddings.  He waited while people called out possibilities and said he wouldn't play until we guessed.

 

(And he took Bull Black Nova out of contention.)

 

BR

For a first wedding, sure.  But for a second marriage / wedding, I dunno.....

[bböp]

For a first wedding, sure. But for a second marriage / wedding, I dunno.....

I think that would almost have to be I Must Be High for a second/third/etc. wedding, no?