Jump to content

Jeff Tweedy — 19 October 2024, Madison, WI (Barrymore Theatre)


Recommended Posts

Well, perhaps if I start this thread, some folks I know were in attendance for this one will chime in with a few more details...

 

This was definitely one show I was sad to have to miss, especially because of the several pals I know who went. It would have been nice to see some familiar faces, especially since it seems like more than a few of the regulars aren't making it to any shows on this solo run. As usual, judging by the setlist, it seems like Madison got a good mix of Tweedy solo staples as well as a couple of new tunes and a relative rarity or two.

 

Crossposting from Wilcoworld, here was the complete setlist at the Barrymore:

 

Story To Tell

new song-KC Rain

I Am Trying To Break Your Heart

Box Full Of Letters (presumably the waltz arrangement)

Via Chicago (presumably with harmonica)

Ambulance

Jesus, etc.

new song-Mine Forever

Impossible Germany

Gwendolyn

Having Been Is No Way To Be

Sunken Treasure (harmonica?)

An Empty Corner

Meant To Be

I Know What It's Like

Lou Reed Was My Babysitter

Passenger Side

I'm Always In Love

Please Tell My Brother

Family Ghost

I'm The Man Who Loves You

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

Some of the reliable Wisconsin contingent was in attendance, so it was terrific to run into quite a few friendly faces. We missed you, pal!

 

Jeff's banter was in top form, even if some of the "material" was recycled--for example, he told familiar stories about Sue being upset about that one time Jeff didn't dedicate "I'm the Man Who Loves You" to her and about the shenanigans that went down when he managed a liquor store at an age too young.

 

One highlight: While Jeff was setting up "Lou Reed Was My Babysitter," a patron near the front stood and hastily made her way up the aisle, prompting Jeff to interrupt his introduction: "Oh, you have to go to Tinkle Town? Well, you're going to miss the best song."

 

"Sorry, Jeff!," she replied without stopping, to wide laughter.

 

The sold-out audience was enthusiastic, respectful and totally game. After one early song ("I Am Trying to Break Your Heart," if memory serves), the crowd erupted in applause that was uncommonly thunderous and Jeff seemed genuinely taken aback. "What was that for?," he asked, clearly curious about whether something had happened beyond his comprehension. Based on last night, "Lou Reed" is also a prime candidate for booming crowd participation. Come on, other members of Wilco... get over your hesitations and record a version that is a full-on, balls-out rocker!

At one point Jeff apologized for talking too much and a fan near the back reassured him by shouting, "We don't have anywhere to be!" That's how the entire night felt: Jeff had everyone in his hands and time seemed beside the point, perhaps more so than at any other Jeff solo show I've seen. When Jeff wrapped up at 10 p.m. after a 90-minute set--he eschewed the fake encore-baiting departure, to great hurrahs--my brother-in-law, who is only a moderate fan, simply said, "Wow, he really commands that stage."

  • Like 2
  • Thanks 1
Link to post
Share on other sites

You were missed, P! It was great to have some esteemed guests in town for the show and beyond, and good to see Eric and hometown buddy Laura (whom I usually only manage to run into in other states).

 

The show was great - yes, harmonica was present for Via Chicago, and Jeff explained that bad things had been happening on this tour (which started happening immediately when he donned the harmonica again last night) - the harmonica kept yanking out his mustache hairs. But he persevered. Sunken Treasure was a definite highlight for me - somehow I can't remember if the harmonica was also involved? There was also some banter about people at previous shows being vocally offended if he didn't play every guitar on stage. Specifically, a man at a recent show had commanded him to "Play the twelve string!" toward the end. (He didn't.) "Chekhov's twelve string," he remarked. It did get played in Madison, for ... Meant to Be?

 

 

  • Like 2
  • Thanks 1
Link to post
Share on other sites
14 hours ago, Beltmann said:

Some of the reliable Wisconsin contingent was in attendance, so it was terrific to run into quite a few friendly faces. We missed you, pal!

 

Jeff's banter was in top form, even if some of the "material" was recycled--for example, he told familiar stories about Sue being upset about that one time Jeff didn't dedicate "I'm the Man Who Loves You" to her and about the shenanigans that went down when he managed a liquor store at an age too young.

 

One highlight: While Jeff was setting up "Lou Reed Was My Babysitter," a patron near the front stood and hastily made her way up the aisle, prompting Jeff to interrupt his introduction: "Oh, you have to go to Tinkle Town? Well, you're going to miss the best song."

 

"Sorry, Jeff!," she replied without stopping, to wide laughter.

 

The sold-out audience was enthusiastic, respectful and totally game. After one early song ("I Am Trying to Break Your Heart," if memory serves), the crowd erupted in applause that was uncommonly thunderous and Jeff seemed genuinely taken aback. "What was that for?," he asked, clearly curious about whether something had happened beyond his comprehension. Based on last night, "Lou Reed" is also a prime candidate for booming crowd participation. Come on, other members of Wilco... get over your hesitations and record a version that is a full-on, balls-out rocker!

At one point Jeff apologized for talking too much and a fan near the back reassured him by shouting, "We don't have anywhere to be!" That's how the entire night felt: Jeff had everyone in his hands and time seemed beside the point, perhaps more so than at any other Jeff solo show I've seen. When Jeff wrapped up at 10 p.m. after a 90-minute set--he eschewed the fake encore-baiting departure, to great hurrahs--my brother-in-law, who is only a moderate fan, simply said, "Wow, he really commands that stage."

 

Ah, the good old reliable Wisconsinites. Sorry I missed y’all! And thanks for the report. Thanks for the comic relief, lady with the small bladder. :lol
 

10 hours ago, Preferred B said:

You were missed, P! It was great to have some esteemed guests in town for the show and beyond, and good to see Eric and hometown buddy Laura (whom I usually only manage to run into in other states).

 

The show was great - yes, harmonica was present for Via Chicago, and Jeff explained that bad things had been happening on this tour (which started happening immediately when he donned the harmonica again last night) - the harmonica kept yanking out his mustache hairs. But he persevered. Sunken Treasure was a definite highlight for me - somehow I can't remember if the harmonica was also involved? There was also some banter about people at previous shows being vocally offended if he didn't play every guitar on stage. Specifically, a man at a recent show had commanded him to "Play the twelve string!" toward the end. (He didn't.) "Chekhov's twelve string," he remarked. It did get played in Madison, for ... Meant to Be?

 

 


Sounds like a fun time was had by all. Feels like I haven’t been to Madison for quite a while, so it was definitely a double bummer to have to miss the Sconnie reunion.

 

And regarding the guy who recently “commanded” Jeff to play one of his 12-string guitars, this was at Night 3 in Woodstock and Jeff actually did eventually give in and use one of his 12 strings for A Bowl And A Pudding and Meant To Be. If only the audiences knew about some of the guitars he didn’t have on stage with him! Then again, I’m sure you Madisonians would have been too polite to give him too much guff…B)

Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...