Largo 8-2-05 Report

[JeffLester]

The album straight through in order, Chris played his new Lawrence Smart mandola on Somebody More Like You and Eveline, bouzouki on Can't Complain, and guitar on Doubting Thomas. Mark sat out Tomorrow is a Long Time and Why Should the Fire Die, which was done around a single mic (like Anthony). After that, they did:

Ode to a Butterfly
Trouble
You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go (Dylan) (with Benmont Tench on piano)
Smoothie Song
Lighthouse Tale -> Milk (Kings of Leon)

encore:
Where is Love Now (Sam Phillips)
Up on Cripple Creek (The Band) (with Benmont Tench on piano)

Sound was a little weak back at the bar, but other than that it was a great show. The KZLA winners were well behaved. :-)

[BtwnGreenGray]

Thanks for the news! Sounds fantastic...I wish I could have been there too!

~cdp

[Sneezy II]

What was your impression of how the songs came across in the little space?

Was the place packed to the rafters? Were people turned away? I'm trying to figure whether or not to chance the long drive and not get in. I tried contacting Largo repeatedly for two weeks. For all I know I'm on the list. Please can you tell me how did you confirm your reservation?

Most envious,

Sneezy

[JeffLester]

The more rockin' songs like When in Rome and Best of Luck did not come across that well, not enough oommph from the P.A. The quiet songs come across well in a small place like that.

I don't know if they turned away people, but it was not packed. The last of the contest winners/table seaters weren't there until just before the show started and even a few people (probably winners) were still coming in after the show started. But it was not as full as I have seen Largo.

I did not have a reservation, I think the only reservations for last night were the contest winners. If Largo has not called you back for tonight, you don't have a reservation. There are two lines, the one on the left (facing the door) is for reservations, the one on the right is for walk-up/sit at the bar. They always take at least 10-12 right off the bat out of that line, so if you get there early enough you will get in. How early is early enough though is the question. I got there at 6:30 and was second in line, but I was under the assumption that the doors were at 8:00 (like normal), when they actually were scheduled for 7:00 and opened at 7:10. If you are there by 6:30 tonight you will get in. If you are there by 7:00 odds are very good you will get in. If you get there 8:00, you probably won't get it in. There are no guarantees, but the earlier the better.

[Johnny Do]

thanks for the song titles for a few of the covers (sam phillips/dylan) jeff! they also played those at the SF preview show as well.

[sar_gsd]

I was very honored to have the priviledge of attending last night at Largo. We have been long time fans of NC and were VERY pleased to win reservations through KZLA. It was an awesome show! The sound was very good from 4 tables away from the small stage area. My husband and I saw them a couple of years ago at the Wiltern from the balcony. I'm glad you thought we were well behaved, Jeff. ;)

[JeffLester]

Originally posted by sar_gsd
I'm glad you thought we were well behaved, Jeff. ;) As someone who's been to Largo (the best music venue in all of L.A.) dozens of times, I'm always wary of interlopers who might not respect the quiet during performance policy. The place is practically sacred to me. :-) And I've been to more than one show were contest winners felt it was okay to be rude because they had little at stake in the event.

<audience members chatting away>
Me: Could you please cut down on the talking, I paid good for these tickets and I'm trying to hear the band.
Them: F&%# off, we won our tickets on the radio and we'll do what we want.

[Sneezy II]

I was at the Wiltern show as well. Possibly the greatest concert I ever heard. We also heard them with the L.A. Phil at the Hollywood Bowl last summer.

Thanks Jeff for the suggestions. I've been to Watkins Family Hours at Largo and wondered if this was much different because of the contest. I'm most anxious to hear the kids again a.s.a.p. I'm just wondering if it might be better to wait for a larger venue for the sound advantages with the new stuff. Plus I should go to another gig tonight.

Thanks again.

[sar_gsd]

Oooh, Jeff I can't imagine how angry I'd be![nod] I don't blame you!

Sneezy, please tell me about the show at the Hollywood Bowl with the L.A. Philharmonic. My Dad was the one that they took out of there in an ambulance that held up the show.

[Sneezy II]

My Dad was the one that they took out of there in an ambulance that held up the show.

Yikes! I hope your Dad is o.k. That may have been at the 2nd performance. We were at the first. Shall I say it was a little different from Largo...... We were way up there, but they had the video screens so we could see them. And they sounded distant but great. They got a very nice review in the L.A. Times.

I believe there is a thread in here someplace describing the concert in detail. They played 5 of their songs with the philharmonic which had special arrangements. Sean and Chris also wore what they wore to Chris's wedding - which I thought was adorable of them to share with us.

But then, they are adorable. :)

[Adyn]

Originally posted by Sneezy II
I was at the Wiltern show as well. Possibly the greatest concert I ever heard.

AMEN to that!! That show was... amazing. I can die happy knowing I was there [lolol]

(ok not really, but that's how good it was... and I've been to quite a few shows to compare... they are ALL good, but that one was... phenomenal)

I'd LOVE to see them at Largo, I really enjoyed seeing the Waktins' there. I'm still crossing my fingers for a date I can attend in our area, alas... no spur of the moment LA trips for me anymore :p

[JeffLester]

This what they played at the 9-4-04 Hollywood Bowl show, which was the second one. I think they played the same show the first night. Do a search on Hollywood AND Bowl and you will turn up some of the threads on these shows.

1. Scotch and Chocolate
2. The Fox
3. This Side
4. Reasons Why
5. In the House of Tom Bombadil w/Congress Reel(?)
6. Trouble
7. Sweet Afton
8. Cuckoo's Nest
9. I Should've Known Better*
10. The Lighthouse's Tale*
11. Smoothie Song*
12. Jacksmith*
13. E: Taxman

*with Los Angeles Philharmonic, conducted by David Amado
arrangements by Sean O'Laughlin

[carnegie]

Originally posted by Adyn

I'd LOVE to see them at Largo, I really enjoyed seeing the Waktins' there.

Agree 100%!!! Largo is definitely on my wish list of venues where I'd love to see Nickel Creek perform. I was away on vacation when the summer schedule was initially posted, and can't afford to take more time off from work at this point, but otherwise I might have considered flying out to L.A. to see them. People on this board who sing Largo's praises aren't exaggerating in the least. I saw the Watkins' perform there with Tim O'Brien, which was a truly awesome experience.

[4nOnThisSide]

BTW, the photos (other than the cover art) on the WSTFD digipak, liner booklet and e-card were taken at Largo. I remember waiting a little longer to get in to an NC or WFH one night b/c they were having a photo shoot.

[Buffy1]

Has Benmont Tench always played with NC at Largo, or has he recently started sitting in with the band? He used to play with Jon Brion every Friday. Does he still do that?

Jeff are you going again tonight? If so, let us know if anyone special sits in tonight with the band and the setlist.

[Sneezy II]

Thanks to the nicest person I'd yet to meet, I got to hear the Creek at Largo this evening. I sat front table, 6 ft from Sara, 8 ft from Chris and 10 ft from Sean. It was like Christmas day. In fact as we waited away the hour before the show started, I told my sister it felt just like Christmas Eve with everything ahead of us.

We got to hear a different list than what is listed from last night. Just pure joy and brilliance all night long. And those kids are as funny as any comedian out there. How did they get to be so cute and talented?

To top the evening off we got to take home our embossed votive candle holders Why Shoul The Fire Die (& special matches) . I'm not kidding - It was like Christmas!!!

[JeffLester]

Originally posted by Sneezy II
We got to hear a different list than what is listed from last night.Well, what did they play?

[Sneezy II]

I'm terrible at remembering all the music. So many notes!! However, my sister got Sara's play list and I'll find out when she gets home from work.

This is what I recall:

WSTFD in order

The House of Tom Bambadil
This Side
Big Sam Thompson
Nice Dreams? (Radiohead)
The Fox with all the trimmings

Up On Cripple Creek

There were a couple more in there I'm forgetting.

Scott Valentine played drums at the end of Best of Luck (as on the CD) Chris loved that they went all the way through to the 13th track and then only at the veery end did drums come into play.

Jon Brion and possibly the pianist from the first night played on encores. Brion played much of his drum bits with his hands - very cool.

[JeffLester]

Originally posted by Sneezy II
Nice Dreams? (Radiohead)Nice Dream (http://www.greenplastic.com/lyrics/nicedream.php)