despite Madonna's efforts, Ween soundchecked & played Summerstage (pics & setlist)

photos by Andrew St. Clair

“That’s the face of rock n’ roll. Learn it. Live it. Love it.” –mat | April 14, 2010 1:27 PM

The Star-Ledger: Your manager said this was really a big show for you guys.
Gene: Yeah, Central Park, Simon & Garfunkel. They are going to come out and play songs with us.

Which Ween songs are they going to play?
“Spinal Meningitis”…

Is there some lineage from Sparks to Ween?
Mickey is really into Sparks, and he says Ween is the modern-day Sparks.

I think you and Sparks should play a show together just like Simon & Garfunkel in Central Park.
Sparks is going to be there, too, with Simon & Garfunkel.

That’s a crowded stage.
It is, but we’ll make room. Ladysmith Black Mambazo is going to be there, too.

The Ween-Simon&Garfunkel-Sparks-Ladysmith Black Mombazo supergroup didn’t actually happen when Ween played Central Park’s Rumsey Playfield on Friday 9/17, but Madonna was there (causing trouble)…

“We spoke with SummerStage production manager Danny Owen about the chain of events that led to Madge’s appearance at Ween’s soundcheck and it started in the early afternoon hours when the film and concert production teams realized the area had been double booked. WE‘s production team approached venue staff when they started to test the PA and the SummerStage staffers agreed to keep the noise to a minimum until Ween soundchecked at 5PM. 5PM rolled around and the film’s producers asked for more time, but with doors set to open at 6:30, there wasn’t much wiggle room since the band needed to get comfortable with the sound at the outdoor venue.

Owen, whose main concern was making sure the band was given the time they needed, told the film’s producer that the band was indeed going to start soundchecking. At this point, the members of Ween were on stage and waiting around for word to start the check. Madonna must’ve gotten wind of the situation as at approximately 5:15PM she entered the concert field with her security entourage and asked Owen if she could speak to the band. Danny responded, “with all due respect, no you may not” leading Madonna to ask to speak to a manager at which point Ween’s manager, Greg Frey, entered the fray.

The pop icon bought a few minutes during her conversation with Frey as soundcheck was delayed until approximately 5:30, but we’re glad to see that even Madonna can’t keep Ween from taking care of business. Sadly, it seems Madge and her unhip team didn’t even know who Ween was. Ween went on close to 7:30PM and played one fantastic, extremely long set followed by a three-song encore.” [Glide Magazine]

What a busy week for Summerstage. Madonna, Cake, Broken Social Scene, WEEN, and four Pavement shows.

Ween currently has two shows on the calendar, including a Halloween date in Colorado, and there’s at least one solo show coming up too. All dates, Ween’s Central Park setlist, and more pictures, below…

Ween setlist
Buckingham Green
She Wanted To Leave
Bananas & Blow
Learnin’ to Love
Transdermal Celebration
Up On The Hill
Take Me Away
Dont’ Get 2 Close (2 My Fantasy)
Even If You Don’t
Push The Little Daisies
Sorry Charlie
Voodoo Lady
Happy Colored Marbles
Stallion pt. 3, Ice Castles
Final Alarm, With My Own Bare Hands
Your Party, Let’s Dance
Touch My Tooter, You Fucked Up
Stroker Ace
Wavin’ My Dick In the Wind
Fancy Pants, Going Gets Tough
Waynes Pet Youngin’
Jonny On th’ spot
The Mollusk
Spinal Meningitis (Got Me Down)
Roses Are Free
Encore:
Fiesta
Mr. Richard Smoker
Dr. Rock

—
WEEN – 2010 TOUR DATES
Sun, October 31, 2010 1st Bank Center (Broomfield, CO)
Fri, November 12, 2010 Bluebird Theater (Bloomington, IN)*
Sat, November 13, 2010 Cosmic Charlie’s (Lexington, KY)
*Gene Ween solo acoustic