Finally. After 18 months we get live music back. This coronavirus has been an pain in the arse. Since I last saw New Bomb Turks, also in Asheville, I've seen tickets to Billy Joel, Tool, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds and Hoodoo Gurus go by the wayside. Not to mention countless shows I would have seen. But alas, I'm back in Asheville, at this great outdoor venue, to see Sleater-Kinney (a bucket list band) and Wilco (of which I know nothing about).
Sleater-Kinney opened to a good sized crowd. People are still wary of each other so no one is near anyone else, but that suits me to a tee. A different line up than I expected. Gone is drummer, Janet Weiss, with the band now having an extra guitarist and bass player. But high energy is the focus, and for the most part it looks like Carrie and Corin would be happy to play just for each other, let alone the crowd in front of them. Everyone was having a good time, from the first song High In The Grass. Price Tag was the first song I recognized and from there on it was only songs from The Woods that I knew. But the set was good enough that I bought The Path of Wellness LP and a shirt. Jumpers and Modern Girl were highlights until they finished the set with a blistering Entertain. I got into Sleater- Kinney the wrong way around, only after seeing Carrie Brownstein on Portlandia. I don't know why they have never been on my radar. I don't remember them coming to Australia when I lived there, and they've never been in Vegas or Charlotte when I've been around (as far as I know). I wish I had though. They are a great band, and superb live.
I know little about Wilco as well. But they have a rabid Asheville fanbase. I have their Star Wars album, which was a free download off iTunes, so Random Song Generator (played 2nd) was the only song I knew all night. That's not to say I didn't enjoy the rest of the show, because the energy transferred between band and audience was full-on. Wilco have rabid fans, and there wasn't a song the masses didn't know. Because I am in Asheville and I have to drive home, I was only going to stay for a few songs of Wilco and then drive back. But they kept my interest for the whole set. Everyone Hides was probably my favorite other song they played. I bailed before the encore, but could here both songs as I walked back to the car.
It's just great to be seeing live music again. Hopefully things open up more and we can get back to normal. And tonight's venue is great, even after it was postponed a day because of rain, and the French Broad River nearly overflowing into the venue.
The Crap Facts:
This is my 466th concert.
This is my 466th concert.
Salvage Station is the 128th venue I've seen a concert at.
This is my 8th concert in Asheville.
This is my 101st concert in North Carolina.
This is my 269th concert in the US.
Sleater-Kinney are the 540th band I've seen.
This is my 8th concert in Asheville.
This is my 101st concert in North Carolina.
This is my 269th concert in the US.
Sleater-Kinney are the 540th band I've seen.
Sleater-Kinney are the 1050th time I've seen a band.
Wilco are the 541st band I've seen.
Wilco are the 541st band I've seen.
Wilco are the 150th different band I've seen in North Carolina.
