Wilco

When it was announced a few months ago that Wilco would be playing the Overture Center it was quite a surprise. To that point the only events at Madison's newest (major) venue had been musicals, orchestras, and the like.

from Daniel Brielmaier (on Muzzle of Bees)

We went out and bought a bunch of tickets during the presale - good thing: the show sold out almost immediately. Our efforts paid off last Tuesday as Monnie, Jon, Matt, Brandon, Joe, Sarah, and I were treated to a great show.

The Overture Center was definitely a different environment for what I suppose would be labeled a "rock" show. Assigned seating was respected almost to the letter - nobody in the aisles or anything of the sort. For some that's a pretty big downer but to be totally honest: I'm a really big fan of being able to sit during a show like this.

The sound was really incredible, especially since my other two Wilco experiences have been at outdoor venues. Crystal clear lyrics and instrumentation - great effects on the opener "Via Chicago" to simulate the El passing right through the theater.

They missed my all time favorite "Heavy Metal Drummer" and oddly also left out their current hit single "What Light", but hit many of my favorites including what probably would be 2-5 on my list: "Jesus, Etc", "Handshake Drugs", and "California Stars"

There's some really great pictures on Muzzle of Bees coverage (one of which I borrowed above) as well as some great commentary and comments. You'll notice in the comments quite a bit of what I alluded to above (people like to get up and dance... I like to sit and relax).

A really great show that was well worth the high ticket price.

Lollapalooza Day 3

The first act we saw Sunday (Day 3) was The Hold Steady - a solid start.

The next one was a really nice surpirse: Ben Kweller put on a great show that I think we were all very happy with. What's with the Aussie's at Lollapalooza? They all put on great shows!

Andrew Bird was one show that I really thought was going to sneak up on me. I thought this could be the one that really put on a great show out of "nowhere"... not quite. It was a solid show but I think he would be much much better suited to a smaller venue.

Next for sadly the biggest disapointment of the weekend: The Shins. I am definitely a fan of this band so I really thought I was in for a treat. The worst sound of the weekend (by the way, the rest of the weekend they did an INCREDIBLE job with making every band sound good) combined with what I think just wasn't that great of a live show really was disapointing.

The last two bands of the weekend were two of my favorite shows. Wilco owed me a good show. I am a pretty big fan but the only other show I had seen was quite disapointing. This one was a completely different story though - I REALLY was happy with the show and now I can happily say: they are very good live.

And, of course, how could we talk about Day 3 without talking about the festivals biggest act and closer: the Red Hot Chili Peppers. These guys put on a really great show and I am very glad to have been able to see them.

All-in-all Lollapalooza was an absolutely great time and I would definitely go again. The back-to-back grade A bands for three straight days was just as incredible as it seems like it should be! My expectations were definitely exceeded: thanks for organizing Brandon!