Plans are in the works for a major downtown outdoor concert in mid-May featuring the alternative country rock band WILCO.
City commissioners at Tuesday evening's meeting will be asked to approve a series of permits allowing the Grammy-winning group to play an outdoor concert on the vacant lots near Ninth and New Hampshire streets.
The event - proposed by local promoter Mike Logan - would be May 14. City commissioners have to approve the event, in part, because Logan is asking that much of the 900 block of New Hampshire Street be closed to traffic. He is also seeking permission to sell alcohol at the concert, although commissioners won't be able to rule on that issue at Tuesday's meeting. City ordinances require an official public hearing on alcohol issues that won't be able to be conducted until late April.
Logan anticipates the concert would attract about 4,000 people.
In a city memo, Logan said tickets for the event would go on sale as soon as he wins city approval for the concert. Ticket prices weren't listed, and an attempt to reach Logan wasn't immediately successful on Friday.
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OldEnuf2BYurDad (anonymous) says…
Our cops better get fitted for riot gear. 4000... beer... outdoor concernt downtown... do the math.
silentbranden (anonymous) says…
A riot? At a Wilco concert? Yeah, that'll happen.
murphy59 (anonymous) says…
Yes, any time you get 4000 people together with alcohol you have a riot. Especially if there's music involved.
kustudent123 (anonymous) says…
right in the middle of KU finals! no!!!!
merrill (anonymous) says…
This could be groovy...
FatTony (anonymous) says…
Get this done ASAP. If not I offer up my backyard. No selling beer though I will only provide a cup at the door for a small fee (the kegs will be in the back, help yourself).
merrill (anonymous) says…
Even if beer is not sold water and juice most certainly should be available. Recycling bins would be a nice idea. Brew is not that far away....across the street and at 8th and New Hampshire, 10th and Mass.....
With or without beer this should be fun.
seriouscat (anonymous) says…
Awesome! Lookin forward to it Logan.
Casey_Jones (anonymous) says…
oh please please please let this happen
Mkh (anonymous) says…
A riot at a Wilco show?
Classic.
RedwoodCoast (anonymous) says…
rammy (Anonymous) says:
Those wearing small faded teeshirts, horned rim glasses, tight jeans, messy black hair and chuck taylors will be admitted for free.
------------
Good one, rammy. I'll bet there will be some less image-obsessed people in the crowd, too. Definitely a lot of tight clothes and faux-messy hair, though.
dirkleisure (anonymous) says…
"alternative country rock band"
Speaking of out of touch, ladies and gentlemen I present to you Chad Lawhorn.
Sheesh, Alternative County. Those kids and their derned music, eh Chad?
OldEnuf2BYurDad (anonymous) says…
My ignorance of whoever WILCO might be is apparent. However, this is not just about who is playing, but also about the nature of the venue. Outdoor concerts frequently go bad. Outdoors with beer.
Four thousand people at a concert just yards from single family dwellings? I cannot imagine.
1029 (anonymous) says…
Yeah, those single-family dwellings could be in real danger. somebody really should stop this concert. if it wasn't for those nearby houses, a concert might be a good idea...or if it was just apartments and other structures, but it's not. Think of the single-family dwellings, people. Otherwise, Lawrence could be in serious danger.
stuckinthemiddle (anonymous) says…
"worry pants"
~chuckle~
yep...
thomgreen (anonymous) says…
"Those wearing small faded teeshirts, horned rim glasses, tight jeans, messy black hair and chuck taylors will be admitted for free."
If it was only that easy. I resemble that remark...minus the tight jeans...minus the glasses....minus the messy black hair. Would I have to die my hair, buy some tight jeans, and wear fake glasses? or can I just wear my chucks and my concert shirt?
dirkleisure (anonymous) says…
Especially when the Hell's Angels provide security. Are the Hell's Angels going to provide security?
alm77 (anonymous) says…
OldEnuf: Expand your horizons and have a listen. http://www.myspace.com/wilco
1029 (anonymous) says…
I hate it when people come together and enjoy their community, especially when it's an event that I would not go to because it is not aimed at older, wiser people like myself. People and beer and having a good time simply do not mix and a riot will surely ensue and downtown will likely be destroyed. Lawrence will learn its lesson when the beer makes these kids riot and destroy all the single-family dwellings. Then lawrence will learn its lesson that mixed-use areas are never a good idea. Neither is it a good idea to bring too many people together in one area.
The_Original_Bob (anonymous) says…
Good lord, some people will just bitch about anything.
Awesome idea. Safe band to bring in for an outdoor concert.
However, 4000 people? Wilco will attract double that at least. Especially since it is a free concert. They headlined Wakarusa a couple years back and there were at least 8000 people watching that show. They played at the Crossroads/Grinders (outdoor) in KC last year and it sold out immediately and those tickets were $20 - $30 I believe. I think that venue holds 2500.
Get this done. Great idea. But, it needs to be planned correctly and I think the promoter is underestimating the size of the crowd.
dirkleisure (anonymous) says…
Hey Bob - any idea how many they drew for their street concert in Columbia a couple of years ago? I would anticipate a similar crowd.
Drew_Carey (anonymous) says…
100 pts to warmer
roger
The_Original_Bob (anonymous) says…
Dirk -
Great question. No clue. I have a buddy in Columbia that might have gone. I'll ask him. I think Lawrence would draw more because of the close proximity to KC.
stuckinthemiddle (anonymous) says…
I just never have liked WILCO as much as I liked Uncle Tupelo...
Uncle Tupelo was a lot edgier...
they were more of the kind of band that could cause a riot...
jplanet (anonymous) says…
I really hope this happens! Although, I think using Wilco to revive Day On The Hill would be a better idea.
stuckinthemiddle (anonymous) says…
beobachter
if you really wan't to know you could run a search...
stuckinthemiddle (anonymous) says…
beobachter
then run a search on Uncle Tupelo... and tell me who you think is better...
I was a big Unlce Tupelo fan...
but with WILCO, not so much...
milamimica (Mila Mimica) says…
perfect! last day of high school!!!
stuckinthemiddle (anonymous) says…
beobachter
WILCO isn't a big deall for most people...
putting up with public concerts isn't a big deal for most people, either...
Kontum1972 (anonymous) says…
the jails will be full, and the DUI lawyers will be happy,...funny how they can organize a function for 4,000 people....and nobody cares about the war , dont see 4,000 protesting, that fiasco!
stuckinthemiddle (anonymous) says…
beobachter
are you opposed to any and all events that shut down public streets?
most people aren't...
The_Original_Bob (anonymous) says…
Dirk -
The answer to your prior query...
"The Wilco show was on ninth street, right in front of the Blue Note downtown, and drew a large crowd - my guess would be between 2000-2500. I guestimate because there were many comings and goings. I honestly don't dig Wilco that much, so wasn't there for the whole show."
So, maybe I'm way off.
Stuck- I agree. Uncle Tupelo was the bees knees. I actually liked Son Volt way more than Wilco. And then Son Volt kept putting out the same album every time. I'll get down there to watch and hope for more outdoor concerts downtown.
chestergrande (anonymous) says…
Anyone who is a fan knows how cool this news is. As for asking how many even know about Wilco - enough fans to merit two shows in Austin before May 14, and two shows in St Louis after. They were on Saturday Night Live a few weeks ago, had a great show on Austin City Limits a couple months ago, and (for better or worse), had six different songs in VW commercials several months ago. Enough people know about Wilco, they will go to the show, and it will be fantastic. And - even though it'll probably never happen - you never know if Jay will show up for a couple Uncle Tupelo songs! Fantastic news.
OldEnuf2BYurDad (anonymous) says…
Everything east of Iowa St. will burn to the ground. That's my position and I'm sticking to it. As sure as we're winning in Iraq, Lawrence will burn if we have this concert.
outdoor55 (anonymous) says…
Holy Crap People!!! If the thought of a concert downtown scares you that much stay home. And if you don't live in Old West Lawrence, what do you have to say? I'm guessing you live in "Johnson Co. West"... I mean west Lawrence. Wilco is a great band that is family friendly. It's now past 5pm, have a drink.
reeveso (John Reeves) says…
recent 2.5 hour Wilco concert in D.C. give it a try.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/st...
unklemonkey (anonymous) says…
I don't think Wilco is in all caps. WIlco, not WILCO.
Drew_Carey (anonymous) says…
100 pts for OldEnuf.
We do love sarcastic old fogies.
Confrontation (anonymous) says…
I don't know anything about Wilco or WILCO, but I like the idea of a downtown concert. Although I hate to say anything positive about Oklahoma City, I did like the fact that they had outdoor performances in the Bricktown area. When we visited, there was one band singing oldies and another doing the 70's rock thing. Both were free to watch, although you could tip if you enjoyed the performance. There's nothing like this on Mass Street. No, homeless drama theater doesn't count. Mass Street is pretty boring.
RedwoodCoast (anonymous) says…
Jeff Tweedy fans should also check out his side project Loose Fur. The album I'm partial to is "Born Again in the USA."
Scene: If we're going to scrap Wilco for a metal band, I think I would rather see someone like Mastodon. Surely they can't cost as much as Wilco.
Keith (anonymous) says…
"b3 (Anonymous) says:
I cant wait for all of the trash that it will bring to town."
That's what I said just before you showed up.
OnShakedown (Chris Tackett) says…
holy cow. some of the comments on this thread have me really worried about growing old.
logan, best of luck w// the event.
grubesteak (anonymous) says…
My all time favorite band. I'm all for it.
Shelby (anonymous) says…
they shoulda gotten 38 Special
BrianR (anonymous) says…
This event sounds fun. Someone stated that Uncle Tupelo is better, I agree but Wilco is a great band all the same.
I saw Led Zeppelin in 1973 and they were a disappointment. You just can't go into the studio and overdub all day long then go out on the road with only one guitar and really pull it off. However, I do not regret paying the exorbitant $12.50 to see them.
DaREEKKU (anonymous) says…
Those DERNED kids and their loud musics! They gots their beers and musics and they are just ru'ning the towwwn!
oldtimer39 (anonymous) says…
I think this is a grand idea and I hope it happens. My grandson and I both listen to Wilco and think they're fantastic.
I wonder what they'll charge, though, for a concert that you'll be able to hear crystal clear for free across the street. Of course, I'll be paying to support the band - I'm just wondering is all.
case (anonymous) says…
this is exactly the kind of stuff that needs to start happening in Lawrence!!
The only riot that will break out is me against anyone who's first thought is that there will be a riot at all!
think happy thoughts people, it's much easier than you think...and it's better for your mind, body and soul!!!
bring it logan!!!! whoo hooo!!!
jonny_quest (anonymous) says…
Bringing 4,000 country rock fans to downtown Lawrence is fantastic compared to anything attracted to Last-Call.
RedwoodCoast (anonymous) says…
Mr. Quest, I am hoping you are referring to the machismo that is so prevalent (and decadent) in hip-hop culture and not the actual people that comprise hip-hop culture.