Wilco - 22 June, 2025, London (Royal Albert Hall)

[HeavyMetalDrummist]

This was my first time at RAH and my first time seeing Wilco outside of the US. 

 

It was indescribable, but I will leave this quote from Jeff:  "Thank you all for being a part of one of the best nights of our lives."

 

All I can add is, "Thank you Wilco, for providing one of the most unforgettable concerts I'll ever experience."

 

 

[jackpunch]

Utter shite 😂

 

(It was absolutely superb but in a standard British way of doing things, I'm saying it was shite.... I think Jeff would approve)

[bböp]

I’m not mad or anything, but Jeff stole my line when he shared with the large audience at the close-to-capacity Royal Albert Hall the fact that the last place Wilco had played before tonight was called JunkYard and how the band really had come full circle. It was a more oblique way of saying that to go from a literal junkyard to the grand environs of the RAH was like going from the outhouse to the penthouse in terms of possible places that a group of musicians could perform.

 

But here’s the rub: If you ask me, I think I would actually prefer the proverbial outhouse. At least when it comes to Wilco shows.

 

No doubt this was a big day on the Wilco calendar for this run of shows on this side of the pond. After all, here was the show at the esteemed 6,000-capacity Royal Albert Hall — a venue that holds a certain mystique for Americans. It’s kind of like playing Radio City Music Hall or Hollywood Bowl or [insert your iconic venue here]. As a band, it’s another sign that you’ve attained a certain level. London is a cultural capital like New York or Los Angeles, and people from all over will have traveled here — if only to cross going to a show at the RAH off their bucket lists.

 

“I’m just trying to savor this,” Jeff said about a third of the way through Wilco’s 23-song set. “When does this happen? It’s been 30 years (as a band) and it hasn’t happened. It’s crazy. I think we got in just under the wire on civilization.”

 

Indeed, the current tumultuous state of the world certainly calls into question that civilization. But I’m here to report that civilization seemed to be all well and good at the RAH. And when it comes to a rock ‘n’ roll show, is it possible that too much civilization can be a detriment? The crowd at the RAH certainly didn’t seem too keen on ruffling any feathers for much of the show, staying seated (and, it seemed, pretty buttoned up restrained) for virtually the entire main set with the exception of a brief standing ovation for Nels following Impossible Germany. Finally, at the climax of Spiders (Kidsmoke), Jeff finally managed to get people on their feet with his spiel about singing along to the “ba-ba bada ba-ba-bada-dada…” part. “I haven’t asked you to stand or do anything all night,” Jeff said. “I haven’t asked you to do shit. But I want you to sing along…because I think it will make you feel a tiny, tiny, tiny bit better to participate. Do not postpone joy.”

 

Ultimately I don’t know how rousing the singalong was, but at least it got people out of their chairs for the duration of the show. When the band came back out for the encore, Jeff marveled that everyone in front of him had remained standing. “Wow, I should’ve given you permission (to participate) way earlier,” he said before briefly introducing and starting Falling Apart (Right Now). On the ensuing California Stars, Jeff had his one and only bad flub of the night; during the second pass through the verses, when John comes in with the harmony, Jeff unfortunately sang the “they hang like grapes on vines that shine…” line instead of “I’d love to feel your hand touching mine…” and just couldn’t save it, as he sometimes manages to do. Oh well. He shrugged off the mistake pretty quickly and even though the show was already past what figured to be the 10:30 p.m. curfew, Jeff told the audience that he and his bandmates would play their final two planned songs — Walken and I Got You (At The End Of The Century) — “since you’re up on your feet.”

 

That brought the evening to a satisfactory enough conclusion, the band having delivered essentially a condensed version of the “Evening With…” show it has been playing at most stops on this European tour. With a support band for the first time in a little while — Seattle’s Deep Sea Diver — obviously the complete “Evening With…” program wasn’t possible. But we still got a few nuggets here and there, such as Muzzle Of Bees in what would usually be Set 1 and Less Than You Think segueing into Spiders (Kidsmoke) in the de facto Set 2.

 

As far as Banter Corner, aside from expressing how thrilled and grateful he and his bandmates were to be playing this room on more than one occasion, Jeff also seemed to have a bit of a running fixation with an empty seat in the front row right in front of him — the “seat of shame,” he later called it. He joked that he was “starting to take it personally that almost every (seated) show we play, the seat right in front of me is empty. I’m starting to feel like Gallagher.” Then he proceeded to ask a person — I couldn’t see if it was a man or a woman — if their date had bailed on them when they found out where the seat was. And then one song later, he followed that up by saying, “I assume they’re not coming.” Not long after that, a guy holding a glass of vino apparently came down and filled the seat for a bit and Jeff poked fun at him, asking, “Was there a long line at the white wine booth?” Later, I guess the wine guy vacated the seat and Jeff once again inquired about where he had gone. “Your friend has a problem,” he said, apparently to the person next to the empty seat again. “I don’t mean to make you part of the show, but did he go back to the wine line?”

 

Ultimately, as I mentioned earlier, this show was a perfectly fine one. From a personal standpoint, it was nice to see and catch up with friends from all over the world (sorry I missed you, Marijn) and even meet some folks I had only previously known from online (shout out to VCer Ghost Of Bob Cumming and his son). If you only had a chance to see one show on this tour, this one was a decent-enough distillation of what Wilco has been doing lately. But if you have been lucky enough to see multiple shows on this run — and you are a relatively veteran fan of the band — then there’s no way this RAH gig could compare to recent gigs in Antwerp or Germany, IMHO.

 

And that’s not just because it wasn’t an “Evening With…” performance. As I suspected, the RAH joined other iconic venues in which Wilco has played in my theory that the “iconic” venues usually have the most average shows. While I’m sure it’s a thrill for the band to play these sorts of rooms and obviously the chance to see a show in one of them attracts more than a few audience members, there has yet to be a show by Jeff and Co. that I’ve been to in a legendary venue that surpasses one in a general admission hole-in-the-wall with some character. That’s probably due in part to the kinds of audiences that go to shows in these different rooms. In short, if I’m being honest, give me the junkyard (and not just because of the pyrotechnics) any day.

 

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

 

Company In My Back

Evicted

Handshake Drugs

Muzzle Of Bees

I Am Trying To Break Your Heart>

One Wing

Via Chicago

If I Ever Was A Child

Bird Without A Tail/Base Of My Skull

Hummingbird

Quiet Amplifier

Either Way

Impossible Germany

Meant To Be

Jesus, etc.

Box Full Of Letters

Annihilation

Less Than You Think>

Spiders (Kidsmoke)

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

Falling Apart (Right Now)

California Stars

Walken

I Got You (At The End Of The Century)

[tblair]

Wilco are always great, but last night at the Royal Albert Hall was really special. I was anxious about it being a seated venue, as they don't always bring the best out if Jeff. But the RAH is such a fabulous venue in many ways, it seemed to fo the opposite, and Jeff seemed to really genuinely be loving it. The audience seemed far from "buttoned up" to me. Yes, they stayed seated, but the reception they got from the moment they walked on stage, and after every song was really enthusiastic. I don't know whether their fans are older in the UK than other places, but it was an elderly, but really enthusiastic crowd. I'm 69, my wife 68. I've had a heart attack, she's had double hip replacement and breast cancer... we're grateful for the seats for most of the set , but still enjoyed the standing up part. We were with our daughter who isn't 'that' young, younwe wondered if she was they youngest person there . She'd requested Muzzle of Bees on the website, so we were both thrilled with them playing that. It was a beautiful rendition. 

As impressed as I was with Deep Sea Diver (they were very good), I still would have preferred more 'An Evening With', and more Wilco. Especially at the Albert Hall. It would have been so appropriate. I wonder why we didn't get that?

But a truly fabulous show.

[bböp]

4 hours ago, tblair said:

The audience seemed far from "buttoned up" to me. Yes, they stayed seated, but the reception they got from the moment they walked on stage, and after every song was really enthusiastic. I don't know whether their fans are older in the UK than other places, but it was an elderly, but really enthusiastic crowd.

Perhaps “buttoned up” wasn’t the best phrase to use, but I also don’t think there was a ton of energy emanating from the audience either, at least that I could see. Personally I don’t understand how someone could watch almost motionless and with their arms folded for much of the show (like the guy next to me). I understand that people consume music in different ways, but do people still not understand that with a band like Wilco, you get back what you put in from an energy standpoint? That’s just how I see it — and have experienced it.

 

As for the relatively older crowd, I have no idea if the average age of fans is higher in the UK, but Jeff seemed to take note. Introducing Box Full Of Letters as a song from their first record, Jeff quipped that “looking around (at the audience), I think you might remember it.” 

[Marijn]

Sorry I missed you too Paul! We were way up in the Rausing Circle and by the time we made it to the ground floor, the corridors were already being cleared… so we just made it back to the underground.

 

Have to say this was definitely in my top 3 of Wilco shows I’ve attended. Jeff’s voice was great! Proves that he still has it in him, so I hope we get some vocal power on the next record

[martynep]

37 minutes ago, bböp said:

Perhaps “buttoned up” wasn’t the best phrase to use, but I also don’t think there was a ton of energy emanating from the audience either, at least that I could see. Personally I don’t understand how someone could watch almost motionless and with their arms folded for much of the show (like the guy next to me). I understand that people consume music in different ways, but do people still not understand that with a band like Wilco, you get back what you put in from an energy standpoint? That’s just how I see it — and have experienced it.

 

As for the relatively older crowd, I have no idea if the average age of fans is higher in the UK, but Jeff seemed to take note. Introducing Box Full Of Letters as a song from their first record, Jeff quipped that “looking around (at the audience), you might remember it.” 

I would say restrained mane more accurately describes the audience. Whether it was the heat/venue/Sunday night vibes, or a combination of all three I don’t know but both my (much younger) son and I thought it started off quite flat compared to most other Wilco shows we’ve seen (solely in the UK). Also, the audience demographic was way narrower, I thought, than for the Bobby Weir show the previous night. I too am mystified (and feeling somewhat short-changed now I know about it) that we didn’t get an ‘Evening With..’ show. It was meant to be a special show, after all. 

[bböp]

1 hour ago, martynep said:

I would say restrained mane more accurately describes the audience. Whether it was the heat/venue/Sunday night vibes, or a combination of all three I don’t know but both my (much younger) son and I thought it started off quite flat compared to most other Wilco shows we’ve seen (solely in the UK). Also, the audience demographic was way narrower, I thought, than for the Bobby Weir show the previous night. I too am mystified (and feeling somewhat short-changed now I know about it) that we didn’t get an ‘Evening With..’ show. It was meant to be a special show, after all. 

Yes, restrained is definitely the word I was looking for. Thanks for that. And yeah, I don’t know why they didn’t just do the “Evening With…” format in London and Paris as well, unless there was some kind of arrangement with Deep Sea Diver that we don’t know about. Usually that has to do with promoters and not necessarily the band, though I’m not sure in this case. Obviously that would have been fun at the RAH…

[tblair]

I was pleasantly surprised at how enthusiastic the audience was. Considering the overall age, I thought they were not that restrained.

That's just my perception though

[Roper.no.1]

44 minutes ago, bböp said:

Yes, restrained is definitely the word I was looking for. Thanks for that. And yeah, I don’t know why they didn’t just do the “Evening With…” format in London and Paris as well, unless there was some kind of arrangement with Deep Sea Diver that we don’t know about. Usually that has to do with promoters and not necessarily the band, though I’m not sure in this case. Obviously that would have been fun at the RAH…

Does that arrangement with Deep Sea Diver maybe include having flawless sound? I have seen quite a few acts at the RAH and I guess the support generally gets set up pretty well. But I was astonished by how great their sound was. They seem like a decent band, I expect they will do well at festivals.

[Ghost Of Bob Cumming]

4 hours ago, bböp said:

Personally I don’t understand how someone could watch almost motionless and with their arms folded for much of the show (like the guy next to me). 

 

 

I looked across at you at one point, Paul, and thought your neighbour had gone to sleep 

 

FWIW, I thought the reception was pretty enthusiastic. I was a bit surprised at the level of adulation. But you are right, it certainly wasn't coming from everyone. And, personally, I'd be far happier if we'd been standing for the whole show.

 

I was pleased that Jeff seemed so happy. I suspect playing the same venue famously played by Dylan, The Band, and CCR, might have meant something special to him.

That's partly why I made the trip down, to share in that (helps that my son lives in central London). 

 

Son/Jake thought it was a great show and I agree. Definitely one of the best 2-3 of the Wilco shows I've seen. Pleasing setlist too.

 

I don't know why I never noticed it before but Walken is Wilco doing Led Zep, isn't it?

[jackpunch]

My two-penneth

 

Audience reaction was very enthusiastic and there was clearly a lot of love for Wilco.

 

Venue...it's superb and I'm pleased the acoustics have been sorted. I saw Finn Brothers at RAH in 2005 and it was marred completely by an ever rebounding bass drum.

 

Band...on great form, I thought Jeff's vocals were the best they been live for some time. Conversely, I thought Impossible Germany was less than convincing. Nels solo initially was a bit of a shambles and they managed to get out of time at one point which is a rarity.

 

Finally, I'm sure the band were very much aware of the history of the venue and that they were following on the footsteps of some of the greatest musicians and composers ever. I was almost certain at one point John pointed at the floor and said "Look Jeff, this must be the spot where Jackpunch played Tuba back in 2000".

 

I played a blinder that day too !

[Marijn]

https://www.uncut.co.uk/reviews/live/wilco-royal-albert-hall-london-june-22-150244/

 

They could've just published Paul's review... Quite raving, though!

[Ghost Of Bob Cumming]

That review has just reminded me - Quiet Amplifier. Absolutely brilliant.

 

We all need to go back and re-consider Side One of Ode To Joy - a fantastic half an album.

(Side Two's alright, but Side One works as a whole piece)

[jackpunch]

Yes, I said to Mrs Jackpunch at the end of Quiet Amplifier that I thought it was superb... And better than the album version.

 

Mind, I still listen to the album quite regularly. I love Citizens and We Were Lucky.

[Albert Tatlock]

Ta. From what I can tell from reported other venue capacities and ticket prices, this show was probably bank rolling the Euro tour, so it is a shame that it was not given the full 'evening with' treatment. That could have formed the basis of a very good 'Wilco at the Royal Albert Hall' eye-catchingly named roadcase or even future bonus official release - since the sound quality/acoustics would have been great.

 

I am with you though - spit and sawdust venues are for me. The more rowdy Roundhouse night 2 (Nick Lowe!) and Brixton Academy (good Spiders chant) shows were my favourites that I have seen in the UK (and probably ever). I have been to the Albert Hall once - Emmylou a long time ago . . .

[bböp]

12 hours ago, Marijn said:

https://www.uncut.co.uk/reviews/live/wilco-royal-albert-hall-london-june-22-150244/

 

They could've just published Paul's review... Quite raving, though!

 

Mine wasn’t quite as raving, lol! All in all, far from the worst review I’ve ever read. Reviewers across the board generally need to revisit Banter Corner more frequently, though. IMHO.

 

27 minutes ago, Albert Tatlock said:

I am with you though - spit and sawdust venues are for me. The more rowdy Roundhouse night 2 (Nick Lowe!) and Brixton Academy (good Spiders chant) shows were my favourites that I have seen in the UK (and probably ever). I have been to the Albert Hall once - Emmylou a long time ago . . .

Ta for your ta. This thread has been more than our usual incomprehensible chirping back and forth, hasn’t it? Dare I say we have more readership than we thought? And what does that mean for future antics? Well, perhaps it’s just an eager UK audience looking for an outlet to opine (and not just engage in Welsh rugby chat  ). Anyway, glad we agree on the spit and sawdust venues! Now we need to find a place over here with literal sawdust on the floors…

[Albert Tatlock]

1 hour ago, bböp said:

Dare I say we have more readership than we thought? And what does that mean for future antics?

Well spelling words with more 'u's might help boost your numbers for a start.

[bböp]

1 hour ago, Albert Tatlock said:

Well spelling words with more 'u's might help boost your numbers for a start.

I shall endeavour to never allow such balouney to colour my flavour of the month ramblings. Let’s see if this makes me a favourite or simply a poseur.

[tblair]

I guess the venue attracted an older audience and put off some younger fans. Although I've been enjoying the place since the 70s when I was a teenager, seeing The Band, Johnny Winter and many others, so who knows. 

I get the different atmosphere a stand up gig encourages, but as I've said, I'm old, and standing for 3 hours or so (support band, interval etc) is a struggle. I said before they came on Sunday that seated gigs aren't usually great for Wilco, but the audience was surprisingly (for me) pretty loud and encouraging. I've never seen Jeff look so overwhelmed and happy. 

[50footqueenie]

There's some ridonculous wordage in the Uncut review - who knew that 'Floydian' was thing.  I can just imagine JT sitting down to write it thinking 'how can I make this more Floydian' FFS

 

Anyone looking for a spit and sawdust venue needs to look no further than my local pub.  We could just about accommodate six musicians, but not that drum kit.

[Albert Tatlock]

2 hours ago, bböp said:

I shall endeavour to never allow such balouney to colour my flavour of the month ramblings. Let’s see if this makes me a favourite or simply a poseur.

Actually, I remember now that when I saw Emmylou it was free as the company I worked for had some debentures and (given that no high-ups seemed to have wanted to go) put the tickets out to whoever responded first. Maybe there is enough of a proportion of corporate seats there to affect the atmosphere. Though it would seem strange that they applied to every event, if they did for Emmylou then perhaps they do. But that was in the 90's so who knows.

[Roper.no.1]

7 hours ago, Albert Tatlock said:

Actually, I remember now that when I saw Emmylou it was free as the company I worked for had some debentures and (given that no high-ups seemed to have wanted to go) put the tickets out to whoever responded first. Maybe there is enough of a proportion of corporate seats there to affect the atmosphere. Though it would seem strange that they applied to every event, if they did for Emmylou then perhaps they do. But that was in the 90's so who knows.

My company has a box in the grand circle and that's where I was watching from.

[Roper.no.1]

On 6/23/2025 at 10:06 PM, Ghost Of Bob Cumming said:

That review has just reminded me - Quiet Amplifier. Absolutely brilliant.

 

We all need to go back and re-consider Side One of Ode To Joy - a fantastic half an album.

(Side Two's alright, but Side One works as a whole piece)

But which version? The CD came with two different mixes (I had to go back and check I got that right).

 

Would anybody else be surprised to learn that Deep Sea Diver have supported Wilco before on some of their Ode to Joy tour? Just stumbled across that at the bottom of this old concert review; https://thefirenote.com/reviews/wilco-ode-to-joy-tour-concert-review/

[Ken Smithson]

It was our first ever trip to the RAH and having only seen it on tv, I bought standing tickets thinking we would be close to the stage. It seemed,  on closer inspection,  tfat we were in fact, Up in the God's! But, on entry a very polite chap informed us that we were to be upgraded to a box! This made the evening extra special as the venue is amazing.

We saw the first night of the two, at Antwerp, a wonderfully relaxed gig, with two great sets, and I agree that this would have been the better format for the RHA gig, as the sound was pretty much perfect here.

We were disappointed to miss "One Sunday Morning" , played at Antwerp 2 and hoped the band would open with it here, but it wasn't to be. It was a fantastic set, the musicianship shining through from this most talented and eclectic of bands. I thought the crowd were reverential at first but extremely vocal and encouraging as the set went on. There were lots of spontaneous cheers and roars and certainly a lot of love for the best American band of the 21st Century.