PRINTBest (and worst) in show
A look back at Columbia's unforgettable concerts
May 15, 2008 | 9:32 a.m. CST
From the high of Big Star’s reuniting at Springfest in 1993 to the low of Hüsker Dü breaking up backstage at The Blue Note, Columbia has hosted many epic shows. The past 10 years have continued in this mold, boasting numerous concerts: some good, some bad. But only a select few stay with us forever. Vox looks at the shows that happened during its lifetime that — for better or worse — Columbia will never forget.
Country Soul
Willie Nelson
The Blue Note: May 12, 2003
Willie Nelson brought his twangy tunes to town as part of his tour celebrating his 70th birthday. The Blue Note booking agent Pete McDevitt recalls people throwing their hats on stage: “Willie would put it on his head, and then when he would finish the song, he would take it off and throw it back out into the audience. Then somebody from the audience would throw another hat on the stage. The funniest thing is just the mental image of Willie Nelson in like a gigantic, woman’s straw sunhat.”
Best Woody Allen Impression
Rufus Wainwright
The Blue Note: May 10, 2002
Rufus Wainwright took his self-described “Annie Hall” look to The Blue Note when he toured for his 2001 album Poses. His attire included a salmon striped shirt, a light-blue tie and cream-colored pants. After getting frustrated with the noisy crowd at the bar, he lit up a cigarette at what was a non-smoking show. Soon after, concertgoers followed suit.
Most Claustrophobic Concert
Modest Mouse
The Down Under Bar: Oct. 31, 1998
Concertgoers get a kick out of seeing bands like Modest Mouse at a small venue before they blow up, but they might not have been comfortable at this show. McDevitt notes that The Down Under Bar, now Sapphire Lounge, let in about 40 more people than it legally should have. With the Down Under Bar’s low ceilings, breathing room was hard to come by.
We Get It, Dave
Dave Matthews
Jesse Auditorium: Feb. 28, 1999
Back before Dave exhausted loyal fans and listeners with relentless jams and a parade of similar sounding albums, he came to MU on a tour of college campuses. KCOU’s Zach Ide says, “It was a really laid back show, just him and Tim Reynolds playing guitar ... I remember to get tickets at like 7 a.m., the line was wrapped around Brady.”
Greatest Diva
Cher vs. Elton John
Mizzou Arena: Cher Nov. 11, 2004 / Elton John Oct. 5, 2007
After many debates, we’ve decided on a toss up between Sir Elton John and Cher. Daryle Bascom, assistant general manager of MU arena operations, says, “Anytime that you get that caliber of artists, there’s very little backstage action.” Cher did, in fact, use the dressing room. Elton, on the other hand, entered for a hot second, but with some specific requests. “He had to have his tea just right,” Bascom says. “Elton John is probably more of a diva than Cher, but that’s just my opinion.” We couldn’t agree more.
Hell Has Frozen Over, and It's Never Been This Cool
The Pixies
The Hearnes Center: Oct. 5, 2004
Considering the animosity between singer/guitarist Black Francis, aka Frank Black, and bassist/singer Kim Deal, no one was expecting The Pixies to get back together, much less come back with a bang. Although earlier dates were reportedly shaky, the legendary group was firing on all cylinders at their Hearnes Center performance; they blazed through classics including “Where is My Mind?” and “Here Comes Your Man.” The Pixies did have one slip-up and had to start “Is She Weird” over, but the band made up for it with endearing banter about whose fault it was.
Loudest Band
Dinosaur Jr.
The Blue Note: April 12, 2006
Reformed power trio Dinosaur Jr. blasted through their set (and possibly a few eardrums) on their most recent stop at The Blue Note. The deafening volume was too much for Nina Wilson, co-owner of local record label Emergency Umbrella. “It was so loud that basically I spent most of the time standing outside listening to it,” she says.
Most Boring Show
Built to Spill
The Blue Note: March 16, 2008
It would have been tough to top opener The Meat Puppets’ fiery country-rock performance, but Built to Spill didn’t even try. Local music blog thebathysphere.com hit the nail on the head in claiming, “There’s no way that first hour of tepid, soulless rehash could have possibly been classified as remotely enjoyable.” The main set was bad enough, but the concert progressed into memorably boring territory with a self-indulgent, 30-minute jam version of “Velvet Waltz.”
Why They're Famous Now and They Weren't Then
Bright Eyes
Shattered: June 14, 2000
Bright Eyes’ Conor Oberst has earned a loyal following for his heartfelt records and sincere performances, but even the Nebraska wunderkind had his growing pains. In his first visit to Columbia, Oberst played a painful solo acoustic show under the Bright Eyes name at Shattered’s old location (now the Artisan). Concertgoer Billy Schuh says that Oberst was being a “drunk kid” and a far cry from what he proved capable of later. Luckily, he got his act together for a show two weeks later at Columbia basement venue The Ranch with The Faint.
Repeat Offenders
Wilco and Tech N9ne
Offenders is really a misnomer, because Columbia can’t seem to get enough of Wilco or Tech N9ne. Wilco makes more time for Columbia than most big-name bands, and its skillful instrumentals and deep catalog of heartwarming songs are always appreciated. And Missouri-based rapper Tech N9ne’s high-energy, theatrical performances have won a loyal audience here, where he performs about twice a year.
