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When I first started getting into photography, I photographed the band when they played at a small college in Michigan, shooting 35mm black and white film. The resulting photos were terribly grainy, but mostly in focus and I’m grateful to have them. Years later while studying photojournalism at the University of Missouri-Columbia, I took advantage of photo equipment check-out while shooting a great outdoor street show. The resulting photos were much better, but sadly, I’m afraid the high-res versions are lost, most likely burned on a CD and sitting somewhere in my basement. Many years later, I photographed the band when they played a show at the Rochester Civic Center. I was working as a photographer for the Rochester Post-Bulletin newspaper and even wrote my one and only concert review to go along with my photos.
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Jeff Tweedy and the late Jay Bennett play a show somewhere in Michigan circa 1998 |
I was a Wilco fan long before I became a photographer, first enjoying the band’s debut album A.M., then backtracking and listening to all the Uncle Tupelo albums. Listening to Wilco’s music evolve through the years as my own life moved forward is a testimony to the power of music. So many memories of my 50 years on this planet are tied to various songs and albums. I cannot hear these songs without being transported back to a particular time and a place, and I wholeheartedly love that aspect of music. Whereas some bands offer up a brief glimpse into a particular time in my life, Wilco has been there for decades. So it seems appropriate that my favorite Wilco album is named Being There, as it feels like they’ve always been there for me, like an old friend.
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Around the time I became a Wilco fan, I was also listening to the band Soul Coughing. I loved their 1994 album Ruby Vroom and was excited when they recently got back together to do one of those nostalgia tours that have become so popular and are completely marketed to aging GenXers like myself. I fell for the bait and scooped up tickets the instant they went on sale. Overall, I enjoyed the show and the walk down memory lane, but it left me feeling a bit hollow inside. I expected to feel more joy out of the experience as I sat back in my cushy balcony seat and took in the performance. The music was fine, everything I remembered it to be, but the band members didn’t really seem to enjoy performing together — which is never an issue at a Wilco show. The band’s songs represented a snapshot of my mid-90’s life — college, pre-kids, pre-responsibility — all fun times and worth remembering, sure. But it all felt a bit superficial. Was I looking too hard for a deeper meaning in a rock show?
While watching the Soul Coughing show, my mind wandered to Wilco, as I had just bought tickets to one of three shows they were set to play in St. Paul three months later at the very same venue. I couldn’t help but compare how one band had a pretty brief shelf-life while the other had become a mainstay in my life over thirty years. Of course, Soul Coughing had only released a few albums in the 90’s and Wilco has had an expansive and prolific three decade long career. Obviously, I was way too in my head at the Soul Coughing show, a bad habit of mine.
A couple weeks before Wilco’s three show St. Paul run, a local radio station was offering a chance to win tickets to all three shows. I laughed to myself and thought, damn, even as a big fan, I don’t think I need to see Wilco three nights in a row. It seemed a bit much, though I suspect 20-year-old me would have had a completely different opinion. I had tickets to the Saturday night show — the second night of the three. The shows were slated as no-repeat sets and as they drew near, I started to think maybe three nights of Wilco wouldn’t be so bad. And by the time I read the reviews and set-list for night one, the regret really started to set-in. Sure, it would have been expensive, but the band played an incredible 95 songs during the three night run. Ninety-five songs! That's being there for their fans.
Of course it’s not worth regretting only going to one of three shows, as I enjoyed hearing some of my favorite songs, along with some completely unexpected songs. My favorites of the night were Sunken Treasure, Blue Eyed Soul, Casino Queen and a beautiful rendition of Remember the Mountain Bed off of the second Mermaid Avenue album — which from what I’ve read is a pretty rare play. Another favorite was Wishful Thinking, which is one of those songs that ties in with a distinct memory. When I hear that song I’m transported back to driving home from the hospital in the early morning after being up all night with my youngest son, who was 6-months-old at the time. He had come down with a really terrible case of croup and had to spend a night in the hospital. My husband had come to relieve me and, as I exhaustedly drove home, that song came on the radio and tears welled up in my eyes. At this point, we knew William was going to be just fine and I was filled with a huge sense of relief after a tough, emotional night. But the lyrics and the music made me break down.
Fill up your mind with all it can know
Don't forget that your body can let it all go
Fill up your mind with all it can know
'Cause what would love be without wishful thinking
Hearing the song live at the Palace had me teary-eyed once again, as the memory came flooding back. The power of music never ceases to amaze.
Thank you Wilco, for being there.
— Just A Fan
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One happy fan post Wilco/Sleater-Kinney Red Rocks show 2021 |
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