First of all, I am going to deny the fact that I’m leaving NYC today. Maybe I’ll post about that later, but I have some happier stuff first!

Tickets for Wilco’s Aug. 13 show at McCarren went on sale back in April, and I had a haircut appointment at the time they went on sale, but I figured I’d still be able to get tickets later that day. Unfortunately, it sold out immediately and I was left ticketless until a couple of days before the show. So I did get to go, and it was a perfect last show (for now) in NYC. It was my fourth time seeing them; Lollapalooza ’06 and ’08, and when they came to MSU two years ago. The MSU show was amazing, and this one was at least as good.

I got a photo pass, and while I felt like a jackass being the only one in the photo pit without a professional camera, I think I got some pretty awesome pictures (for a point-and-shoot). However, I really do need to invest in a digital SLR, so I think once I have a definite job set for the school year I’m going to buy one on a payment plan at Best Buy, or something like that.

Anyway, it was a great show and you can read my Filter review here.

Wilco’s setlist:

Via Chicago
Blood of the Lamb
You Are My Face
Hummingbird
I Am Trying To Break Your Heart
A Shot In The Arm
Side With The Seeds
Misunderstood
Far, Far Away
Impossible Germany
Pieholden Suite
California Stars
Handshake Drugs
Pot Kettle Black
Poor Places
Spiders (Kidsmoke)

Encore 1:

Jesus, Etc.
Can’t Stand It
Hate It Here
Walken
I’m The Man Who Loves You

Encore 2:

Heavy Metal Drummer
The Late Greats
Kingpin
Monday
Outta Mind (Outta Sight)
I’m A Wheel

From the Hold Steady show at McCarren Park Pool on June 29. Yes, I was there through all the rain (but thankfully had an umbrella), and it was worth the wait.

Last Tuesday I went to see Death Cab for Cutie at McCarren Park Pool, about a 15-minute walk from my apartment. All day I was paranoid about the storm that weather.com said was going to happen, so I came prepared with a poncho (since I thought taking notes while holding an umbrella would be tough). I got there at least a half hour after the doors opened but somehow managed to snag a spot on the barricade at the front.

The show was fantastic, even though there were a few sound/instrument problems. However, the show got cut short before the encore because the storm was finally coming and it was too dangerous to be onstage (not to mention I was kind of terrified of the lighting rigs falling on my head).

It started raining as everyone was clearing out of the pool, and when I got my poncho out I couldn’t figure out where the head hole was because clearly, I’m an idiot. I was already soaked but resorted to wearing it around me like a cape, which … didn’t help much. The whole running-through-a-storm thing was very familiar, since the same thing happened at the Decemberists show in Millennium Park in Chicago last summer. That was worse though, my friends and I were on our way to a restaurant, not home, and all looked and felt like we had been swimming in our clothes. Gross.

Anyway, read my Billboard.com review here.