Jeff Tweedy 3-30-11 The Englert Theatre Iowa City

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Written by: jorge

Jeff Tweedy (Wilco) preformed to a sold out audience at the Englert in Iowa City. Tweedy, one of the headliners of the 2011 Mission Creek Festival, lived up to his billing. Snowblink, a Canadian Duo opened with a surreal introduction of candles and music. Mid-way through their set they commented on having made references to Jeff Tweedy’s songs, as well as commenting how grateful they were for being able to tour with Mr. Tweedy.

After a brief set change, which included 6 acoustic guitars, Jeff Tweedy took the stage to thunderous applause and cheers. He picked a guitar and began “In A Future Age.” Tweedy moved to “Via Chicago” then “One Wing.” This is where the once rather mellow atmosphere veered right. Jeff asked why there was laughter at the start of “Via Chicago” which prompted audience banter as to Chicago was funny in Iowa and Jeff’s stating, “Not as funny as Iowa is in Chicago.” The banter continued for sometime before Tweedy regained control, temporarily. Without going into the actual dialog, suffice it to say many in the audience thought they were attending a rock show, complete with beer goggles.

Jeff Tweedy is a master at audience control and went with the flow, playing many requested (shouted) songs. After a three song encore, Tweedy walked back on stage and preformed two more songs without amplification. it may have been the highpoint of the evening. A longtime fan of the acoustic qualities of the Englert, Tweedy’s use of the environment seemed to erase the cat calls and sounds of dropping beer bottles.

It was a spectacular evening, thanks in part to spending time with some old friends who sat in front of us and meeting Jessica and Aaron, winners of the iamnotjerry.com ticket giveaway.

Jeff Tweedy Ticket Winners: Jessica Shearon and Aaron McLarnan

Setlist:

In A Future Age
Via Chicago
Remember The Mountain Bed
One Wing
IATTBYH
Please Be Patient With Me
Kamera
Wilco (The Song)
Not For The Season
Passenger Side
new song-Born Again
I’ll Fight
So Much Wine [The Handsome Family]
Jesus, etc.
Hummingbird
I’m The Man Who Loves You

Encore
Airline To Heaven
The Late Greats
A Shot in the Arm
Encore
Walken (@ edge of stage/ No PA))
Acuff-Rose (” ”)

About the Author

jorge

Grew up in Central Iowa, in and around Des Moines. As a young child I was influenced by jazz, via my mother's record collection. My first concert was probably a jazz concert in the Rose Garden at the Des Moines Art Center. My mother passed away listening to music. At around 14 I began to attend "rock" shows. First one, The Denver Pop Festival at Mile High Stadium in Denver Colorado. It was here that many of my musical preferences were born. Besides being tear gassed, I was introduced to The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Frank Zappa and The Mothers, Iron Butterfly and Tommy Bolin with Zepher, to name a few. The festival is most memorable as the final Jimi Hendrix Experience performance. It was also the precursor to Woodstock. In the years to follow I attended concerts regularly in the Midwest, from Minneapolis to Chicago. Too many to recall, unless you ask... In December 2010 I began iamnotjerry.com. The name came from years of people stating, "Hey Jerry, you are alive" at concerts and festivals, the purpose remained the same, help support "LIVE" Music.