Also...
After something like 18 months, I finally "get" My Morning Jacket. Z, specifically "Gideon" and "Knot Comes Loose," has been stuck in my head for the better part of this week. Which is a bit strange because some of Z screams Jimmy Buffet.
I bring this up only because I am having a hell of a time choosing between covering MMJ or Wilco at Austin City Limits next week. They both play at the same time. Right now I'm leaning towards taking photos of Wilco (who I've never seen) and then rushing over to catch the end of MMJ's set. Mostly because Jim James is a mountain of big hair (see above) that doesn't move around very much on stage. If this is a bad idea, please advise.
Lastly, Ticketmaster just sent me an email to let me know Morrissey is playing Baltimore and Tijuana(??). As if I didn't learn anything from my last Morrissey road trip.
Oh you will be really sad if you miss the powerful show of My Morning Jacket. First of all, Jim's hair is not the wild mane it once was, it's very neatly trimmed now. And secondly..He ROCKS all OVER the stage. I'm not sure all that you've seen, but he'll be bouncing from one side to the other. It's a TRUE rock show.
I've seen Wilco as well, and there's just no comparision. If you get to the end of MMJ, I promise you'll be sorry you missed the rest. They aren't going to be touring for a while.
On one hand, you haven't seen Wilco, but on the other hand, now that you get MMJ, it might be a whole new experience for you. Tough call. I'd also highly recommend MMJ, but I haven't seen Wilco, so I don't have a comparison.
i've seen both and, although i like wilco, i vote for mmj live.
I have seen MMJ 6 or 7 times live and Wilco only twice and would still go see MMJ when given the choice.
If you are going to ACL next week, why don't you start in Dallas Friday night, see Wilco there at the Palladium Ballroom, then head down to Austin (about a 4 hour drive).
seen wilco 20+ times (from the a.m. days til now)
seen mmj 5 times
that's actually pretty much in proportion considering their respective times on the scene.
first time i saw mmj, i didn't know them and was blown away. i mean REALLY blown away. since then every time has been a bit of a let down. not because they aren't amazing, but it's just not like it was the first time...i know what he's (yes, i know there's more than jj) capable of and my expectations are merely met.
wilco on the other hand is probably the only band that blows me away every time i see them. sure, the years between jay bennett's departure and nels phoenix-like rise from his ashes were a little bit of a lull...but since nels joined the band they are just on a tear. not only is tweedy one of the most engaging people on a stage (there are just some people that have that self-assured charisma making it hard to look away even when they aren't doing much...i could watch thom yorke mow the lawn) but the entire band is greater than the sum of its parts. and the parts are pretty damn impressive.
bottom line is that you can't really go wrong. if you've seen mmj, maybe give wilco a try...but it'd be a shame to have to split time. that acl lineup is just sinister this year! i agree with dylan above that you would be best served to see wilco in all their headline glory at the palladium...you won't regret it. they really are THAT good. and as a long-time reader, i have to say shame on you for skipping them over the past few years...it's not like they don't come here enough!