Several months back, my friend Andy invited me to join him and some friends to see Wilco at the Murat theatre in Indianapolis for the bands June 15th show. After much deliberation and a gentle nudge from my wife, I accepted my friend's invitation. This would be my third time hearing and seeing Jeff Tweedy and company live since attending Wilco's Rockfor Riley benefit show at the Murat back in the Fall of 2005 with my friend Chris. It need not be said that I was greatly anticipating this show, especially after enjoying the bands May 2007 release Sky Blue Sky on multiple listens. I was all prepared to set a course for downtown Indy after work where I was to meet up with Andy and some of his friends at McNiven's Pub for a couple of drinks before the the show. Then came the call at 8:30 the morning of the show.
Andy had been listening to 92.3 WTTS while driving to a meeting and called in with the answer to the "morning music mindbender" winning two front row tickets to the Wilco show and passes to their soundcheck that afternoon. I could go on about the details which comprised the rest of the day's events, but I'll just say that I had the great privilege of enjoying some great live music by one of the most incredible rock outfits on the planet. During the soundcheck about twenty five of us got to hear performances of "Ashes of American Flags," "Hell Is Chrome" and the live rarity "A Magazine Called Sunset." During the soundcheck, Jeff Tweedy addressed the crowd saying, "So you guys won some kind of contest?" I shouted, "My friend did!" Immediately, he fell to the ground while grabbing his sides and laughed hystericallyuntil he could finally bring himself back to his feet to continue with the soundcheck... at least that's how I remember it.
After the soundcheck, the guys in the band met us all out in the lobby to sign cds, pose for snapshots and say hi. They honestly couldn't have been more pleasant. I had couple cds on me which Jeff Tweedy, Glenn Kotche, Nels Cline and John Stirratt each signed. I was thinking about what a strange relationship exists between a band and their fans. Through art and media, the public have a small window into their lives and we come to rock shows to be a part of their art and somehow share in their experience. In some small way, we know who these people are and what their lives are like, but they don't really have the same opportunity to know all of these people who come out to their shows and buy their records. Even though we've never met, I'm shaking hands with Mr. Tweedy saying hello to him and calling him Jeff because I feel like I kinda know him after listening to all of his records and reading about his life in a book. It's strange. I know this isn't some kind of new revelation, but I've never really had the opportunity to consider this relational dynamic at this level before. I guess I'm really just making this point to say that the guys fromWilco seemed to address this odd relationship with as much respect and gratuity as anyone could. The whole experience was a rare treat which allowed me to feel a bit more connected during the concert that night to these guys who have wooed and inspired me with their music.
Thanks again Andy.
Wilco
Murat Theatre
Indianapolis, IN
June 15, 200
Setlist:
1. A Shot In the Arm
2. Side with the Seeds
3. You Are My Face
4. I Am Trying to Break Your Heart
5. Kamera
6. Handshake Drugs
7. War on War
8. Impossible Germany
9. Sky Blue Sky
10. Jesus, Etc.
11. Hate It Here
12. Walken
13. Shake It Off
14. I'm the Man Who Loves You
15. Hummingbird
(Encore 1)
16. Sunken Treasure
17. Spiders (Kidsmoke)
(Encore 2)
18. Heavy Metal Drummer
19. Outtasite (Outta Mind)
20. California Stars
