American singer-songwriter Jeff Tweedy returned to Victoria BC for the first time in roughly eight years. Best known as the lead singer and principle songwriter of alternative rock group Wilco, Jeff Tweedy’s intimate and very sold out acoustic show promised to be a sweaty night for his faithful followers.
Over an hour and a half before doors opened — even before opening act, James Elkington, took the stage — a line had already started to form outside Capital Ballroom. Anxious superfans decked out in flannel and jean jackets braved the fall weather in hopes of getting a spot in front of the stage or a good seat in the club’s balcony.
Before the show began, audience members were warned by the staff of a “no talking” policy which Jeff Tweedy has had in place for all of his acoustic shows (though he most likely plays more theatres than nightclubs these days). Throughout the club, there were signs saying to “Keep your cellphone in your pocket and enjoy the show,” and “Do not use hand dryers in bathroom, they are distracting to the artist.”
Heck, even the air conditioning was turned off because it was deemed too distracting. In a sea of burly men and Jeff Tweedy doppelgängers, it was clear that the AC rule would eventually need to be broken. As glasses fogged up, and the looming stench of sweaty ballsacks and unwashed armpits threatened its rise, a cool breeze of conditioned air kept the funk at bay.
As British folk rocker James Elkington hit the stage, the din of the crowd was almost unbearable. Even those close to the stage were unable to hear him or his guitar. His half hour set was overshadowed by people actively trying to talk over his set. At one point, James took a sharp jab at the crowd for being so impolite during his set and that Tweedy wouldn’t put up with it, but this being Victoria, they just laughed it off.
James Elkington probably played a good set, but we certainly couldn’t hear it.
The moment Jeff Tweedy took the stage, the crowd fell deafeningly silent. If a pin was dropped or you coughed, everyone would know exactly where it came from . . . a sharp contrast to the attitude the crowd had only moments before with the opening act.
Jeff Tweedy’s set was thoughtfully curated between his solo career and obvious crowd favourites from his band, Wilco. That, coupled with his sharp wit and storytelling, made it a fun night.
Early in his set, he remarked, “this is the kind of environment is going to force me to play some of my more festive songs . . . don’t worry; they’re still fucking depressing.”
Tweedy also reminisced about his previous visit to Victoria during a tour with Wilco and happened to coincided with the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. The Olympics was a sore point for him, feeling he had been robbed by the Russian judges when he only got the silver medal in Sad Folk.
While it’s great to see someone of Jeff Tweedy’s calibre play an intimate show like this, it certainly felt awkward for most in attendance. Tweedy is not a nightclub act, especially when it comes to an acoustic evening. We hope that, if he returns, he’ll be in a more welcoming venue like Alix Goolden Hall.
