Jeff Tweedy — 14 February 2019, Chicago, IL (Lincoln Hall) [Panache Planned Parenthood benefit]

[bböp]

Since a couple of us Chicagoans were discussing it elsewhere within these VC corridors and I think at least one or two VCers were there, figured I would at least file an abridged report from this Valentine's Day Planned Parenthood benefit show (incidentally, Jeff labeled Valentine's Day "corporate bullshit," though he still played a few love songs for the assembled throng)...

I suppose we were lucky to get even five songs from Jeff when the rest of the acts on the crowded bill (mostly consisting of local young up-and-coming acts, though Whitney got added at the very last minute and played as a duo) basically played just two songs apiece. Among the other acts on the bill were V.V. Lightbody, Gia Margaret, Pool Holograph, Tasha, Deeper, Knox Fortune and the aforementioned Whitney twosome.

At any rate, it was a fun, low-key night, and it was interesting to hear some of the performers' picks for love songs to play. Anyway, Jeff came out about two-thirds of the way through the show and played a slightly smaller guitar I hadn't seen him use before; I have no idea what it was, but obviously it wasn't one of his usual Martins. It almost had the tone of a ukulele to my ears, and he told the crowd — perhaps as a way of keeping folks from chattering too much— that it was going to be pretty quiet-sounding.

Jeff started off saying most of his songs were about death, but he had learned a love song to play in keeping with the spirit of the evening. It turned out to be a very cool version of It Must Be Love by the underappreciated British singer-songwriter (who seems to be getting more attention lately) Labi Siffre. Check it out sometime...it's a nice tune. Anyway, Jeff turned it into a little singalong and that got the crowd engaged from the start. Another highlight was, I believe, the live debut of another new song that had lyrics that included "there is no path like pain," "stay in bed all day" and "can't escape my domain." I guess Jeff felt like it was in keeping with the love song theme because it also had a line about how "this is my love song."

Among Jeff's brief visits to Banter Corner were a brief mention of how he was playing the show while "on steroids" because he had a rash that was "everywhere you can't see" and him giving a mock hard time to a young guy who had wooed at a bendy guitar note he played in I Am Trying To Break Your Heart, causing Jeff to shake his head. After the song, Jeff had a brief exchange with the dude, asking him if he played guitar and then saying (by way of self-deprecation) that he would find someone who didn't play guitar and teach them how to do that before the show was over. You probably had to be there.

There was also an amusing (at least to me) moment during the set-closing I'm The Man Who Loves You that was probably lost on most everyone else. After a few folks near the front started humming or singing a riff toward the end of the song that has been played by the Total Pros horns when they have performed with Wilco in the past, Jeff gave a mid-song shoutout to Max Crawford, the Total Pros leader, who just happened to be tending bar nearby, saying "that was Max's part."

That was about it. Personally, I was hoping for I'm Always In Love or maybe even a cameo by Spencer on drums for a reprise of Diane Izzo's Love Like A Wire. But nevertheless, it was still an enjoyable little set and an enjoyable night overall...and all for a very good cause. Did you end up making it, nalafej? If so, sorry I missed you.

Here's what Jeff played during his brief portion of the show:

It Must Be Love [Labi Siffre]
I Am Trying To Break Your Heart
I Know What It's Like
new song (live debut)-Can't Escape My Domain
I'm The Man Who Loves You

[Sun Caught Fire]

Thanks, your review/thoughts always most welcome.

[TCP]

Great review Paul. 

How was Whitney as a two piece? 

[nalafej]

Did you end up making it, nalafej? If so, sorry I missed you.

 

Yes. I was on the ramp with my height challenged wife. Saw you closer to stage/Max during JT but then couldn't find you between sets - do you move???

 

I had mentioned to the wife ahead of the show about Max's connection to Jeff and the fact that most of the songs he performs are about death so it was amusing when both those things came up. It was a fun night - two live debuts by Jeff is more than one could ask for.

 

Has Jeff ever worn his own merch during a show before? Is that cool? 

[bböp]

Yes. I was on the ramp with my height challenged wife. Saw you closer to stage/Max during JT but then couldn't find you between sets - do you move???

 

I had mentioned to the wife ahead of the show about Max's connection to Jeff and the fact that most of the songs he performs are about death so it was amusing when both those things came up. It was a fun night - two live debuts by Jeff is more than one could ask for.

 

Has Jeff ever worn his own merch during a show before? Is that cool? 

 

Haha, was he wearing a Warm hat? I like when artists wear their own merch, actually. It's kind of endearing.

 

Yeah, again, sorry I missed you. I did step back a bit after Jeff's set to hang out with some friends by the side bar. Glad you made it to the show. I like Lincoln Hall when it's like that — fairly full, but not super packed. I still think it's maybe the best room in Chicago. Too bad they don't get as many bookings (at least of stuff I'm interested in) as they used to.

 

Great review Paul. 

How was Whitney as a two piece? 

 

Thanks for reading! Whitney as a two piece was pretty stripped down, as you might expect, but still compelling. They actually started with a cover of Neil Young's Love In Mind with Julien singing and playing acoustic guitar and Max on keys, which was interesting (since, I'm sure you're well aware, normally Julien is the singing drummer and Max the lead guitarist). Then they played a new song that they asked people not to film — they said they were leaving on Sunday to mix the second album — and closed with Golden Days. So, like Jeff's set, it was as much as you could've hoped for from an abbreviated set.

[Albert Tatlock]

Maybe JT knows the more famous Madness cover

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmezIIrFQmY

[nalafej]

was he wearing a Warm hat?

 

I believe so. It is a great hat, even on a warm Chicago winter evening, but can't say that I condone wearing ones own merch. Flashbacks to the Pour Some Sugar on Me video with the singer wearing a shirt with his face covering the entire shirt...

[calvino]

The Stones have wore their logo quite a bit over the years, esp. Mick. Charlie got in the action, too. 

Though, when you have a such an iconic logo/symbol you may as well display it. I don't think the rhinestone tank that Charlie is sporting was ever sold at the front of the house. Mick wore the same designed shirt that I bought in 89 while on stage. 

 

 

[TCP]

Thanks for reading! Whitney as a two piece was pretty stripped down, as you might expect, but still compelling. They actually started with a cover of Neil Young's Love In Mind with Julien singing and playing acoustic guitar and Max on keys, which was interesting (since, I'm sure you're well aware, normally Julien is the singing drummer and Max the lead guitarist). Then they played a new song that they asked people not to film — they said they were leaving on Sunday to mix the second album — and closed with Golden Days. So, like Jeff's set, it was as much as you could've hoped for from an abbreviated set.

 

Oh nice! That's great news, I figured they were due for a new one this year. Thanks for the recap, sounds like a good mini set.