MMJ to Tour with Dylan this summer

[Penny Lane]

Not sure if anyone mentioned this already but the documentary about the recording of YHF is a great starting point for understanding Wilco .
I Am Trying to Break Your Heart .
They recorded one of the greatest albums ever,probably changed forever the relationship between bands and labels ,added new ( great ) drummer and dealt with Jay Bennet trying to wrestle control of the band , all right in front of a camera !

I down loaded YHF for free and did not get it right away . After listening to Being There and Summerteeth 100's of times it was completely different .

David Fricke ( Who was at T5 and totally digging it ) also provides some commentary in the film .

great suggestiong---the wilco book provides even more insight into the creation of UT and the whole tweedy/farrar, tweedy/bennett relationships..

[Crispy]

Yeah, I was really being facetious about Dylan, having seen him before, though it was six years ago (see first page of this thread). I would surely stay and check his show out, hoping to hear that new stuff and that band, but I wouldn't feel too bad about skipping out if it wasn't digging it.

[Penny Lane]

Their 3+ hour "Evening with Wilco" Atlanta show in 2010 is one of my concert-going highlights of my life.

i saw 2 nights of this tour at the Wellmont and it spoiled me on Wilco forever. no Wilco shows since have lived up to those..one of my favorite concert-going events, too (sassbox and caporal were there with me, too)

[Angelo]

Their 3+ hour "Evening with Wilco" Atlanta show in 2010 is one of my concert-going highlights of my life.

i saw 2 nights of this tour at the Wellmont and it spoiled me on Wilco forever. no Wilco shows since have lived up to those..one of my favorite concert-going events, too (sassbox and caporal were there with me, too)

Yes, yes, yes. I was lucky to catch the Scranton show during this tour. Talk about endurance, I think every show from this tour was 3+ hours long.

[bhyman]

Their 3+ hour "Evening with Wilco" Atlanta show in 2010 is one of my concert-going highlights of my life.

i saw 2 nights of this tour at the Wellmont and it spoiled me on Wilco forever. no Wilco shows since have lived up to those..one of my favorite concert-going events, too (sassbox and caporal were there with me, too)

Yes, yes, yes. I was lucky to catch the Scranton show during this tour. Talk about endurance, I think every show from this tour was 3+ hours long.

This was the setlist that evening.

http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/wilco/2010/fox-theater-atlanta-ga-4bd49fa2.html

Amazing show. Heading to etree.org to try to locate it now.

[Jeff Murray]

I think I'm gonna have to pass on this tour... my dance card has so many holes punched in it, it looks like swiss cheese with my current run of shows... Need to give the credit card a rest, before it starts bawling instead of gently weeping!!

[LBSUNFLWR]

Their 3+ hour "Evening with Wilco" Atlanta show in 2010 is one of my concert-going highlights of my life.

i saw 2 nights of this tour at the Wellmont and it spoiled me on Wilco forever. no Wilco shows since have lived up to those..one of my favorite concert-going events, too (sassbox and caporal were there with me, too)

YES! I was there one night at the Wellmont as well. Just incredible.


I saw Bob Dylan only once and it was in 1995 opening for Grateful Dead. I don't really remember much, other than not being too impressed even though he is Bob Dylan! So I will give him a fair chance and will surely stay if he plays last. Perhaps we can get a Tweedy/JJ duet if neither will get to play with Bob.

[Shug]

So many different opinions on what is Wilco's best or where to start to try to get into them.

For me, none of their studio recordings capture what they do best: play live like a fucking precision machine while maintaining a living soulfullness whether they are playing avant garde kraut rock, Woody Guthrie folkiness, gloomy ballads, or Stones-y rock.  When they get on a roll, watch out.

http://youtu.be/uUYVyenlfuc

Wilco - Handshake Drug

http://youtu.be/7I79m7_kAnA

I'd avoid any studio recordings at first, especially since what you checked out so far you found too mellow or lacking energy, and go straight to Ashes Of American Flags DVD and Kicking Television as Angelo, rincon, sunflower and others recommended.  For me, Wilco is first and foremost a live band.  And I think they are more impressive when you are watching them, more so than just listening.  If the above vids don't float your boat, I doubt any studio recordings would do it, either.  Check out that three-way guitar part in Impossible Germany as they take it to a massive joyous huge crescendo, holy shit they are on fire!  Check out the drummer on Monday, Glenn kills it.  John Stirrat is such a great bass player, very melodic yet lays the foundation, a lot like McCartney.  Lots of secret weapons in Wilco.

[Angelo]

If only I was able to articulate my thoughts/feelings about music half as good as you do, Shug. I love reading your posts.

I will say that Impossible Germany is not one of my favorites. Maybe that's because they play it every time I see them but I don't get jazzed up for it like most people seem to.

[APR]

Thanks for the Wilco suggestions.  I'm going to give them another try.  I listned to some of their albums a while ago, and I just didn't become a fan.  A lot of people are surprised that I love MMJ so much and didn't get into Wilco.  I also hear it's a must to see Wilco live.  So this tour will be my chance to see them.  And I'll prep myself with some of the above suggestions..... I'm looking forward to that.  The documentary sounds interesting too.

[Mike T.]

Their 3+ hour "Evening with Wilco" Atlanta show in 2010 is one of my concert-going highlights of my life.

i saw 2 nights of this tour at the Wellmont and it spoiled me on Wilco forever. no Wilco shows since have lived up to those..one of my favorite concert-going events, too (sassbox and caporal were there with me, too)

YES! I was there one night at the Wellmont as well. Just incredible.

I remember texting the setlist to my brother at the Philly show that year and being more and more amazed as the tracks piled up.  As far as holy-shit-I-can't-believe-they're-still-playing moments go, that night ranks right up there with Black Rebel Motorcycle Club at the TLA (circa 2010), where I'm almost positive they played until 2a.  On a Tuesday night.

Great night, though, and one of my favorite shows to this day -- from Tweedy dedicating Passenger Side to "all the talkers" and the obligatory Jesus, Etc. sing-a-long to the entire living room set (esp. Spiders) and the I'm a Wheel rave to close the show.

And something that just occurred to me -- the show sold out in roughly 12 seconds on the day of the regular sale, and my captcha that morning (before TM switched to jibberish).......nudity emperor.  Great moments in ticket buying.

[mahg33ta]

at the Boston version of my show, I dragged along my wife even though she wasn't a big fan.   She's a good sport but it was clear she wasn't having the great time I was, and at about the 2 hour mark she actually fell asleep in her seat!   and then the band just kept going and going and I was giddy, thinking they could play all night and we'd both be happy.

[Shug]

If only I was able to articulate my thoughts/feelings about music half as good as you do, Shug. I love reading your posts.

I will say that Impossible Germany is not one of my favorites. Maybe that's because they play it every time I see them but I don't get jazzed up for it like most people seem to.

Thanks, Angelo, kind of you to say!

[marino13]

Thanks for the Wilco suggestions.  I'm going to give them another try.  I listned to some of their albums a while ago, and I just didn't become a fan.  A lot of people are surprised that I love MMJ so much and didn't get into Wilco.  I also hear it's a must to see Wilco live.  So this tour will be my chance to see them.  And I'll prep myself with some of the above suggestions..... I'm looking forward to that.  The documentary sounds interesting too.

I would highly suggest starting with the three videos on Shug's post.  It is 100% spot on.  I would also watch the clip to "At Least That's What You Said".  If the guitar jams that end this song and "Handshake Drugs" don't at least partially break down the wall between you and Wilco, you will probably never like them and it's not worth your time to keep trying.  Everyone has bands they can appreciate, but they just don't click for some reason.  I've been hot and cold with Wilco over the years, but after I saw them live (three times now), they are one of my favorites.

[parkervb]

I was late to the Wilco party too.  But, after watching I Am Trying to Break Your Heart, I had to give them a full effort.  The Steam Engine was where I went to download some shows and after a few listens to them, I was totally hooked.  I must have listened to this show close to 100 times by now:

http://wilcoworld.net/#!/tour_date_type/13-december-2011-riviera-theatre/

http://thesteamengine.net/the-treasury/wilco/shows/2011-12-13%20-%20The%20Riviera%20Theater%20-%20Chicago%20IL.zip

Been dying to see them again since seeing them in Charlottesville last summer.

[bhyman]

Bob Weir acoustic set just added to first 4 shows of this tour. Pretty amazing!

Also... even better news from Jambands.com:

"Top-billing will rotate at each show, with all of the headlining acts closing out the evening at different stops. Tour dates can be found below."

If they are rotating headliners... I would guess they are probably playing similar length sets throughout.

[justbcuzido]

Bob Weir acoustic set just added to first 4 shows of this tour. Pretty amazing!

Also... even better news from Jambands.com:

"Top-billing will rotate at each show, with all of the headlining acts closing out the evening at different stops. Tour dates can be found below."

If they are rotating headliners... I would guess they are probably playing similar length sets throughout.

Do you have the link? This is awesome news, thank goodness Im going to two shows.

[EverythingChanges]

Bob Weir acoustic set just added to first 4 shows of this tour. Pretty amazing!

Also... even better news from Jambands.com:

"Top-billing will rotate at each show, with all of the headlining acts closing out the evening at different stops. Tour dates can be found below."

If they are rotating headliners... I would guess they are probably playing similar length sets throughout.

I guess it really doesn't matter who closes the show for me, because I assume that they will all have equal length sets, but I hope it's MMJ! If all three headliners actually have the same length sets, I'm assuming they'll play for an hour or so each.

However, I think MMJ is probably going to close at my stop, and here's why!

I assume the tour will start with Dylan closing, then Wilco, then MMJ, and it will alternate from there.  To further fortify this idea, if it is to be true, Wilco will close the Chicago hometown show, which makes sense.  My show is the sixth stop on the tour, so it should be MMJ's second closing show.

[Fully]

Bob Weir acoustic set just added to first 4 shows of this tour. Pretty amazing!

Also... even better news from Jambands.com:

"Top-billing will rotate at each show, with all of the headlining acts closing out the evening at different stops. Tour dates can be found below."

If they are rotating headliners... I would guess they are probably playing similar length sets throughout.

I guess it really doesn't matter who closes the show for me, because I assume that they will all have equal length sets, but I hope it's MMJ! If all three headliners actually have the same length sets, I'm assuming they'll play for an hour or so each.

However, I think MMJ is probably going to close at my stop, and here's why!

I assume the tour will start with Dylan closing, then Wilco, then MMJ, and it will alternate from there.  To further fortify this idea, if it is to be true, Wilco will close the Chicago hometown show, which makes sense.  My show is the sixth stop on the tour, so it should be MMJ's second closing show.

That's really good news! I hope that happens for you. I'm guessing whoever doesn't open (Wilco/MMJ) will be the early band. I can't see Dylan being first unless he goes to bed early being 71 and all. Actually, I still don't see him being first.

[EverythingChanges]

Bob Weir acoustic set just added to first 4 shows of this tour. Pretty amazing!

Also... even better news from Jambands.com:

"Top-billing will rotate at each show, with all of the headlining acts closing out the evening at different stops. Tour dates can be found below."

If they are rotating headliners... I would guess they are probably playing similar length sets throughout.

I guess it really doesn't matter who closes the show for me, because I assume that they will all have equal length sets, but I hope it's MMJ! If all three headliners actually have the same length sets, I'm assuming they'll play for an hour or so each.

However, I think MMJ is probably going to close at my stop, and here's why!

I assume the tour will start with Dylan closing, then Wilco, then MMJ, and it will alternate from there.  To further fortify this idea, if it is to be true, Wilco will close the Chicago hometown show, which makes sense.  My show is the sixth stop on the tour, so it should be MMJ's second closing show.

That's really good news! I hope that happens for you. I'm guessing whoever doesn't open (Wilco/MMJ) will be the early band. I can't see Dylan being first unless he goes to bed early being 71 and all. Actually, I still don't see him being first.

Thanks

And haha, I hope he doesn't go to bed early.  I hope he does some collaborations! Though, it wouldn't surprise me if that doesn't happen.