Wednesday, 12 Sep 2007
Set List: Via Chicago/You are My Face/I Am Trying To Break Your Heart/Handshake Drugs/Pot Kettle Black/War on War/Side with the Seeds/Shot in the Arm/Impossible Germany/Sky Blue Sky/Too Far Apart/Jesus, Etc./Walken/I’m The Man Who Loves You/Hummingbird/On and On and On
Encore One: Hate it Here/Red Eyed & Blue>I Got You/Ashes Of American Flags/Spiders
Encore Two: California Stars
The sound was spectacular during the entire two-hour performance, which drew heavily from both Yankee Hotel Foxtrot and their most recent Sky Blue Sky. The seated venue initially caused some awkwardness for people unsure if they should be standing or sitting for the duration of the show, which brought out the first banter of what turned out to be a quiet night for a usually talkative Jeff Tweedy.
Guitars ruled the overall performance with Nels Cline again showcasing his frantic and heart-stirring prowess. Highlights of the night came early during a reworked jam spliced into the center of “Poor Places,” and again later while revisiting their first album, A.M. for a touching version of “Too Far Apart.” The crowd seemed most attentive, and deadly silent during “Ashes Of American Flags,” which was, in my opinion, the overall highlight of the evening.
The Sky Blue Sky tunes were refreshing and welcomed after the last couple year’s sets had been dominated by A Ghost Is Born material. Favorites from the new album included “You are My Face,” and the charming “On and On and On,” featuring a guitar-less Tweedy quietly granting permission to “go ahead and cry.”
Overture Hall provided an intimate and beautiful setting, one I’d welcome the opportunity to see more shows at in the future. As good as a time last night was, I truly think we were spoiled by their Barrymore performance last year around Thanksgiving – that set the bar as far as our ears and eyes are concerned.
Muzzle of Bees friend and photographer Daniel Brielmaier was along to capture some stellar shots:
So, what did you guys think of the show, the venue, etc?
Myspace: Wilco
September 12th, 2007 at 8:35 am
We were up front on the same side as Nels, and probably because of that his guitar dominated the sound. I love his work when it’s used to ornament Tweedy’s songs, but at least from where I sat it was just slathered over everything. Did anyone else hear it that way?
September 12th, 2007 at 9:13 am
I thought the sound was amazing! Nels stood out in the spotlight in the dramatic conclusion of “Side with the Seeds”. His rapid-fire picking and accuracy is spectacular to see and hear. It was a treat to hear Cline’s guitar with such clarity in Overture Hall.
September 12th, 2007 at 9:14 am
We were 3rd row mezzanine. While Nel’s guitar dominated at times, I have never been to a rock concert where I could understand the lyrics as well as I did last night. The clarity of the Overture Center is just great. The acoustic guitars sounded pristine. I would have liked a bit more of it though. But, then it would be like seeing Jeff Tweedy solo like when he played the Orpheum. That was spectacular. Still, last night I witnessed a tight band sounding like a heavyweight contender! Our highlights included “Via Chicago” and “On and On and On”.
September 12th, 2007 at 9:33 am
I have to say that the sound was excellent with the exception of a lack of bass. I’m nitpicking, but if I were the sound guy…
Wilco has matured into quite a polished act live, which was very fitting to the venue, which was just great.
On And On And On gets my vote for song of the night.
September 12th, 2007 at 9:42 am
Through no fault of the bands, the crowd was quite simply dead for a Wilco show. I agree, we were spoiled by the Barrymore performance in November. But I was at the Davenport, IA show in June and even that seemed to have more overall energy and atmosphere. I was near the back of the orchestra level, and I thought the sound was very good, but not overwhelmingly better than past venues. “Via Chicago” was a great opening choice, and “Ashes” was superb as well. Here’s one vote for a return to the Orpheum or Barrymore.
September 12th, 2007 at 9:43 am
EVERYthing was outstanding–crystal clear sound–you could hear every detail beautifully and distinctly, I thought.
Would have liked more songs from Sky Blue Sky but the choices were mightily pleasing nonetheless.
I second the vote for On And On And On…
September 12th, 2007 at 10:34 am
Looks like some of the comments follow the same lines as the review from Madison Music Review – http://madisonmusicreview.com/
September 12th, 2007 at 1:32 pm
DAN:
The bass was invisible. barely heard it all night long.
September 12th, 2007 at 1:47 pm
Beautiful show last night though I agree with the review and comments about the Barrymore show last year setting the standard… I love the sound at the Overture Center – lots of detail, wonderful soundstage and presence. The sound at the Doc Watson show earlier this year was phenomenal! Last night was a different story though and I was a bit disappointed with the overall sound. Jeff Tweedy’s high’s (the sibilants, sss’s) were smeared at the top end and Dan is correct in noting the bass seemed subdued for the space. The guitar sound rocked! I think electric and acoustic guitars sound the best at the Overture Hall as they did last night.
September 12th, 2007 at 3:05 pm
Enjoyed last night’s show, but was disappointed with the flatness of the crowd. I was in the back section of the orchestra, which is under the mezzanine and at times I was one of only a handful of people standing and dancing throughout the show. I know everyone has the right to enjoy a concert as they wish, but I felt the energy of the crowd contributed to what I would think is an average show for them. I also feel that the Barrymore spoiled me, and it will be hard to top.
September 12th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
I felt like Tweedy was very subdued through this show. I’m curious if they would come back to Overture. Via Chicago was an awesome opener.
September 12th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
my favorite was red-eyed and blue. I wish they would’ve played even more older stuff. The crowd dissapointed me immensely. I was seated in the balcony, and not a single person surrounding me was standing up. The guy in front of me even turned around and said “I came here to hear wilco, not you” when I was singing along during shot in the arm. I hope the dynamic at the milwaukee show on the 9th will be better! Overall though, great acoustics and an impressive set.
September 12th, 2007 at 4:03 pm
great show, as always. one complaint re: the light show. those four white lights were absolutely, painfully blinding up in the balcony (maybe on the floor too?).
September 14th, 2007 at 11:06 am
Musically, the show was in top form. The lights, however, were horrible. Blinding even. I was 11th row center and found it very difficult to look onstage.
The number of uniformed ushers was also scary. Felt like a prison at the Overture.
September 14th, 2007 at 7:55 pm
I thought the show was amazing, the sound was perfect, and that the band was in top form. I enjoyed the lighting, personally. I agree that the crowd was not the best. I tried my best to stay seated, but I couldn’t help it anymore when I am Trying to Break Your Heart started. Half way through the song, one of the ushers came up and told me to sit down, which was severely disappointing, but at least at the end of the song Jeff Tweedy “gave permission” to stand. I’ve seen Wilco 3 times now, once in ’06 in Bloomington, and in June in Indy, and this show was the best by far. It seems pretty clear that the audience is changing, which makes me sad…but still, the show was great!
September 16th, 2007 at 10:22 am
I felt like this show was lacking in a couple of places:
#1 – SOUND. As was stated before, the bass was non-existent. The vocals and guitars sounded great, but the bass was hardly there. The bigger problem for me, however, was with the drums – isn’t Glenn a kickass drummer? Then why did his toms sound like it was 1988 and his kick drum sound quiet and limp, almost like a rack tom pitched down? The drums sounded terrible for the poor Dr. Dog, too. That was just sad to watch them play a space that big and empty. I also thought that Glenn’s playing was not as reserved as I’d like it to be…he played things a little bit too uppity for my tastes, but I guess they are touring off of Sky Blue Sky.
#2 – CROWD. Dude, did you know Wilco is a jam band? Ah, I guess we were in Madison, so I’ll just skip that complaint – I feel that’s just personal preference, and for myself, I don’t like to be surrounded by bros in Dead shirts rubbin’ on their trippin’ girlfriends.
Overall I would say the experience was “good”, as in, that was an enjoyable few hours…but not one of the better shows I’ve seen in awhile. I got these tickets for free, so it was hard to be hypercritical (yeah, yeah…see above, I know). If I would have paid $40 for this show I think I would have commented on this post September 12th, right when I woke up. Nels is a fucking badass, though.
September 18th, 2007 at 7:27 am
Show was great. Although the Oveture Center sucks. Its a decent place dont get me wrong, but you cant even have a beer in the auditorium (not even a bottle of water). I live in Madison and Im probably just a little bias when it comes to that tax payer subsidized City of Madison, Mayor Dave outright debacle known as Oveture.
The band jammed, however as the article states, they just outdid themselves at the Barrymore (what a show that was)!
Hopefully next trip to Madtown, they pick the Orpheum on State St, or head back to the 800 seat Barrymore.