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neutral milk hotel

LIVE BOOTLEG LISTING / SETLIST ARCHIVE

(This is an attempt to compile NMH show setlists, as well as info on known live recordings.)

 

SHOW / RECORDING INFO NOTES SETLIST
7/4/96 Aquarius Records, San Francisco, CA
FORMAT: audio
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: good
LENGTH: 32min
Earliest known live Neutral Milk Hotel recording. Great acoustic set by Jeff, with a few rarely played songs, including the only known live version of "My Dreamgirl Don't Exist". This bootleg is very common, and mp3s of it can easily be found online. Most mp3 versions cut out some between-song chatter, however, such as when Jeff mentions that the first song is actually two songs: one called "Oh Comely" and another called "Goldaline".
The unknown song ("swimming in your speakers") seems to be a sister song to "Snow Song Pt. 1".. maybe it's "Snow Song Pt. 2"?
1. Oh Comely
2. Engine
3. Oh Sister
4. My Dreamgirl Don't Exist
5. Sailing Through
6. Acid / Ruby Bulbs / unknown ("swimming in your speakers")
7/6/96 The Backstage, Seattle, WA
FORMAT: audio
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: ok
LENGTH: 32min
This show popped up on Soulseek in early '05. The sound is decent most of the time, but it skips a lot on tracks 4 through 8. "The Fool" was mislabeled as "Message Sent", but on the recording itself, it appears Jeff refers to the "Through My Tears" conglomeration by that title. 1. Song Against Sex
2. A Baby for Pree
3. Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone
4. Tuesday Moon
5. Message Sent (Through My Tears / Goldaline / unknown ["now there is nothing"])
6. The Fool
7. Naomi
8. Ruby Bulbs
9. King of Carrot Flowers Pts 2 and 3
10. Ferris Wheel on Fire
11. Everything Is
7/7/96 EJ's, Portland, OR
FORMAT: video
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: good
LENGTH: ?
Three videos from this show have been put on YouTube. The filmer has said that he didn't record the entire set, however.

Gardenhead/Leave Me Alone
Snow Song / King of Carrot Flowers Pt. 3
Ruby Bulbs / Someone Is Waiting

?
7/17/96 Knitting Factory, New York, NY
FORMAT: audio
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: good
LENGTH: 39m

source: wm-d3 pro-walkman (analog cassette) and ecm 909a mics.
taped by chris r. (XLII-S master)

transfer: master cassette> Sony K707ES> tascamUS-428> sound forge4.5> cdwav> flac
by ronnie from chicago

Another old show that took a decade to make it into circulation (Sept '05). Features an unreleased song called "Arms So Real" which isn't available on any other known live recording. 1. Song Against Sex
2. Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone
3. Tuesday Moon
4. Arms So Real
5. A Baby For Pree
6. The Fool
7. Everything Is
8. Naomi
9. Snow Song Pt. 1
10. King of Carrot Flowers Pts 2 and 3
11. (encore break / tuning)
12. Message Sent
7/22/96 Oakland Beehive, Pittsburg, PA
FORMAT: audio
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: poor
LENGTH: 34m
NMH jammed with the opening band, Butterglory, for a warm up.. sounds kinda like an old blues song or something. 1. jam with Butterglory
2. Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone
3. Tuesday Moon
4. A Baby For Pree
5. Naomi
6. Everything Is
7. The Fool
8. Snow Song Pt. 1
9. King of Carrot Flowers Pts. 2 and 3
7/23/96 Sudsy Malone's, Cincinnati, OH
FORMAT: audio
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: ok
LENGTH: 43min
Includes a rare live performance of "You've Passed", which is paired with another, unknown song. Perhaps it's part of "You've Passed" that was cut from the album version?
The show's other unknown song ("now there is nothing") is the third section of "Message Sent" and seems to be a sister song to "Oh Sister".
1. King Of Carrot Flowers Pts. 2 and 3
2. Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone
3. Tuesday Moon
4. You've Passed / unknown ("You've Passed Pt 2"?)
5. Everything Is
6. Ruby Bulbs
7. Naomi
8. Ferris Wheel On Fire
9. Message Sent (Through My Tears / Goldaline)
10. Message Sent [cont.] ("now there is nothing")
11. Snow Song Pt. 1
7/25/96 Cicero's, St. Louis, MO
FORMAT: audio
SOURCE: soundboard
QUALITY: ok
LENGTH: 40m
Soundboard recording, but not the best quality. A lot of tape hiss. Song Against Sex
Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone
Tuesday Moon
A Baby For Pree
The Fool
Message Sent (Through My Tears / Goldaline)
Message Sent [cont.] ("now there is nothing")
Everything Is
Ferris Wheel on Fire
Naomi
Snow Song pt 1
King of Carrot Flowers parts 2 & 3
8/1/96 Knitting Factory, New York, NY
FORMAT: audio
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: good
LENGTH: 54m

source: wm-d3 pro-walkman (analog cassette) and ecm 909a mics.
taped by chris r. (XLII-S master)

transfer: master cassette> Sony K707ES> tascamUS-428> sound forge4.5> cdwav> flac
by ronnie from chicago

Another old show that took a long time to surface (Sept '05). Features a rare live recording of "Bucket".

Like most pre-Aeroplane versions, "Oh Comely" has some slightly altered lyrics, and doesn't have the "Goldaline" ending ("Goldaline" is included in the last song, "Message Sent," however.)

1. Oh Comely
2. Bucket
3. Song Against Sex
4. A Baby For Pree
5. King Of Carrot Flowers Pt. 3
6. Tuesday Moon / circus music jam
7. Engine
8. Naomi
9. Ferris Wheel On Fire
10. Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone
11. Snow Song Pt. 1
12. Everything Is
13. Message Sent (Through My Tears/Goldaline/unknown ["now there is nothing"])
9/6/96 CMJ Mergefest, Westbeth Theatre, New York, NY

 

[no known recording]

  A Baby For Pree
Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone
Tuesday Moon
Ferris Wheel On Fire
Naomi
Ruby Bulbs
Snow Song
(the setlist says "trilogy" here.. I'm assuming Message Sent)
King of Carrot Flowers Pt 3
10/5/96 Other Music, New York, NY
FORMAT: audio
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: ok
LENGTH: 33m
Jeff Mangum acoustic in-store performance. "Two Headed Boy" is an early version with several slightly different lyrics. Also, this recording features a rare live performance of "April 8th". 1. Two-Headed Boy
2. Naomi
3. April 8th
4. I Will Bury You In Time
5. Engine
6. Everything Is
7. Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone
8. She Did a Lot of Acid
9. Ruby Bulbs / unknown ("swimming in your speakers")
3/7/97 Jittery Joe's, Athens, GA
FORMAT: audio & video
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: good
LENGTH: 48m
Jeff Mangum solo acoustic performance in 'The Starlit Crypt' at a coffeehouse in Athens, GA. Officially released as Jeff Mangum - Live At Jittery Joe's. In addition to audio playable on a normal CD player, it's an enhanced CD that includes QuickTime video of the entire show, shot by film maker Lance Bangs. 1. introduction
2. A Baby For Pree
3. Two-Headed Boy
4. I Will Bury You In Time
5. Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone
6. Two-Headed Boy Pt. 2
7. I Love How You Love Me 
8. Engine
9. Naomi
10. King of Carrot Flowers Pt. 2
11. King of Carrot Flowers Pt. 3
12. Oh Comely
3/27/97 40 Watt, Athens, GA
FORMAT: audio
SOURCE: ?
QUALITY: ?
LENGTH: ?
In March '06, a guy going by "thehordak" posted to the NMH message board about taping this show. Unfortunately, he wasn't in a hurry to share it, but seemed willing to eventually let people hear it. So I guess us fans will just have to wait patiently.

"I have a recording from the March 27th, 1997 40 Watt Show. Elf Power, Of Montreal, and Neutral Milk Hotel. I had a 4 track set up in the back of the club near the sound booth where they had the couches."
?
4/23/97 Tokyo Rose, Charlottesville, VA
FORMAT: audio
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: good
LENGTH: 53m
First show of the '97 US tour. It's an acoustic set by Jeff, with occasional accompaniment of accordion or horns. Jeremy Barnes was away in Chicago, so there's no drums. The performance includes a few rarely played songs, including "April 8th" and "Bucket" (by request). Jeff whistles a solo at the end of "King of Carrot Flowers Pt 3", which is something kinda cool I haven't noticed in other shows. Technical problems with the PA cutting out affect some of the first few songs. Some tape hiss on the recording. 1. Gardenhead/Leave Me Alone
2. Two-Headed Boy
3. Song Against Sex
4. I Will Bury You In Time
5. The King of Carrot Flowers Pt. 3
6. Naomi
7. April 8th
8. Bucket
9. Acid (Pt. 1)
10. Acid (Pt. 2)
11. Ruby Bulbs
12. unknown ("swimming in your speakers")
13. A Baby For Pree
14. Oh Comely
4/24/97 Silk City Lounge, Philadelphia, PA
FORMAT: audio
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: good
LENGTH: 52m
This seems to be the earliest known recording of the song "In The Aeroplane Over the Sea". And like the other versions from mid '97, it seems to still be a work-in-progress, with different lyrics in the non-verse sections.

Additionally, this show features two NMH songs that were rarely played live, "Someone Is Waiting" (by request) and "You've Passed".

1. Oh Comely
2. Gardenhead/Leave Me Alone
3. A Baby For Pree
4. Naomi
5. Tuesday Moon
6. Song Against Sex
7. Message Sent (Through My Tears / Goldaline / "now there is nothing")
8. In The Aeroplane Over The Sea
9. Everything Is
10. Ferris Wheel on Fire (aborted)
11. The King of Carrot Flowers Pt. 3
12. Someone Is Waiting
13. You've Passed
14. Two-Headed Boy
4/25/97 Knitting Factory, New York, NY
FORMAT: audio
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: ok
LENGTH: 64m
Jeff opens with some solo songs, including "Sailing Through" and "I Will Bury You in Time", both not played live all that often. On the recording, "Goldaline" (the middle section of "Message Sent") is cut, likely due to a tape flip on the master. Sailing Through
I Will Bury You in Time
Two-Headed Boy
Oh Comely
Naomi
Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone
Baby for Pree
The Fool
Message Sent [cut] (Through My Tears)
Message Sent [cont.] ("now there is nothing")
Ferris Wheel on Fire
King of Carrot Flowers 2 & 3
Everything Is
Ruby Bulbs
All the Colors of the Rainbow
Snow Song pt 1
Song Against Sex
4/26/97 Terrastock, Providence, RI
FORMAT: audio
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: good
LENGTH: 36m
I think "Naomi" is supposed to be the last song on this show, but isn't.. at least not on the recording I have.

There is also a professional soundboard recording of this performance, which has remained uncirculated, with the exception of "Oh Comely" which was released on a Blue Rose sampler cd.

Kevin O'Leary, co-owner of Flydaddy Records, said the label recorded the entire [Terrastock '97] festival, and is now trying to figure out how best to release the results to the world. [...] Judging by what he's heard so far, O'Leary said, sound quality is great, and he had high praise for engineers Tom Buckland and Toby Fitch.

1. Oh Comely
2. Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone
3. A Baby for Pree
4. The Fool
5. Message Sent (Through My Tears / Goldaline)
6. Message Sent [cont.] ("now there is nothing")
7. Song Against Sex
8. The King of Carrot Flowers Pts. 2 & 3
9. Ruby Bulbs
10. Snow Song Pt. 1
4/27/97 Middle East, Cambridge, MA
FORMAT: audio
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: ?
LENGTH: ?
If you have this recording, please let me know. ?
4/28/97 Brownies, New York City, NY
FORMAT: audio
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: good
LENGTH: 51m
"Acid" is sometimes known as "She Did a Lot of Acid". Jeff says it doesn't really have a title, but they call it "Acid", and also says it probably won't ever be released. 1. soundcheck jam / Acid
2. Naomi
3. In The Aeroplane Over The Sea
4. Oh Comely
5. King of Carrot Flowers Pts. 2 and 3
6. Everything Is
7. Gardenhead/Leave Me Alone
8. Song Against Sex
9. Message Sent / Ruby Bulbs (cut)
10. Snow Song Pt 1
5/1/97 Chicago, IL, Lounge Ax
FORMAT: audio
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: very good
LENGTH: 55m
Very nice recording. 1. Oh Comely
2. Gardenhead/Leave Me Alone
3. A Baby For Pree
4. The Fool
5. Tuesday Moon
6. In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
7. Message Sent (Through My Tears / Goldaline)
8. Message Sent [cont.] ("now there is nothing")
9. Song Against Sex
10. Everything Is
11. FerrisWheel on Fire
12. Naomi
13. Ruby Bulbs
14. Snow Song pt 1
15. The King of Carrot Flowers Pts. 2 & 3
5/2/97 Rathskeller, Madison, WI
FORMAT: audio
SOURCE: soundboard
QUALITY: ok
LENGTH: 36m
A soundboard recording, this show sounds good at times and not so good other times.. there were problems with the soundboard. The Rathskeller is apparently a venue located in the University of Wisconsin.

1. Naomi
2. Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone
3. Message Sent
4. Tuesday Moon
5. A Baby For Pree
6. The Fool
7. In The Aeroplane Over The Sea
8. Song Against Sex
9. Ruby Bulbs
10. Snow Song Pt. 1

5/3/97 7th Street Entry, Minneapolis, MN
FORMAT: audio
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: ok
LENGTH: 38m
Jeff mentions they were supposed to play an in-store earlier that day, and apologizes for missing it, but says his "dick broke" so how can you argue with that?!

No drummer for this show.

King of Carrot Flowers pt 3
She Did A Lot of Acid
Naomi
Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone
Engine
Song Against Sex
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
A Baby For Pree
The Fool
Oh Comely
5/5/97 Side Door, St. Louis, MO
FORMAT: audio
SOURCE: soundboard
QUALITY: excellent
LENGTH: 37m
Awesome soundboard recording, one of the best quality NMH bootlegs in circulation. There is also a low-quality audience recording of this show. At the beginning, Jeff mentions Jeremy couldn't make it, so it's a slightly more stripped-down show than usual. Also, Jeff says he and Scott have the flu, so he apologizes for a sloppy show. And he apologizes for his voice several times throughout the show. 1. Acid
2. Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone
3. Naomi
4. Engine
5. King Of Carrot Flowers pt 3
6. Song Against Sex
7. The Fool
8. Oh Comely
9. In The Aeroplane Over The Sea
5/6/97 Barrister's, Memphis, TN
FORMAT: audio
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: good
LENGTH: 30m
This show was just Jeff and Julian, as Scott was sick in the van, and Jeremy was still away. Olivia Tremor Control played too, and Jeff and Julian joined them for the last tune of their set. 1. Oh Comely
2. Naomi
3. King Of Carrot Flowers pt 3
4. I Will Bury You In Time
5. Song Against Sex / Two-Headed Boy
6. Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone
5/16/97 40 Watt, Athens, GA
FORMAT: video
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: good
LENGTH: 29m (there may be a 37m version?)
Kindercore Records 1st Anniversary Party, May 16th and 17th. Each night featured six bands, plus the Dixie Blood Moustache installation, and inspirational speaking by Michael Brian.
The line-up for Friday night: The Mendoza Line, Great Lakes, Of Montreal, Joe Christmas, Elf Power, Neutral Milk Hotel
The line-up for Saturday night: Nipples For Days, The Masters of the Hemisphere, Bunnygrunt, Gritty Kitty, Kincaid., The Olivia Tremor Control

For Neutral Milk Hotel's set, they were joined on stage by members of Olivia Tremor Control and Elf Power.

Two-Headed Boy
Oh Comely
Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone
King of Carrot Flowers Pt. 3
Message Sent (Through My Tears)
Song Against Sex / end jam
8/9/97 Seven South, Denver, CO
FORMAT: audio
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: good
LENGTH: 45m
Includes a rare live performance of "Someone Is Waiting".

The recording is loud, but decent quality. This is a show the band did while in town to record Aeroplane. Interestingly, Jeff mentions that "Message Sent" might be on the record.. and I guess it sorta was, with the "Goldaline" section becoming part of "Oh Comely".
 

1. intro/soundcheck
2. Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone
3. A Baby For Pree
4. The Fool
5. Tuesday Moon
6. Message Sent (Through My Tears / Goldaline)
7. Someone Is Waiting
8. Ferris Wheel On Fire
9. King Of Carrot Flowers Pts. 2 & 3
10. Song Against Sex
11. Naomi
12. Ruby Bulbs
13. Snow Song Pt. 1

9/14/97 Broad River Outpost, Danielsville, GA
FORMAT: audio
SOURCE: soundboard
QUALITY: excellent (mostly. see notes)
LENGTH: 34m
The show was a benefit for the Broad River Action Group (BRAG) and marked the band's first performance since finishing recording Aeroplane. Highlights include the rarely played "Someone Is Waiting", plus what may be the final performances of "Tuesday Moon" and "Message Sent", which didn't seem to stick around in setlists for later tours.

The recording is from the soundboard and was first circulated thanks to the mp3 blog Bicycle Kick My Worries Away in March 2006. The sound quality is great with the exception of slight tape hiss, plus some weird skipping for a few seconds in "Naomi" and "Ruby Bulbs".

1. Naomi / Someone Is Waiting / Song Against Sex
2. Tuesday Moon
3. The King of Carrot Flowers Pt. 3 / A Baby For Pree
4. Message Sent
5. Gardenhead/Leave Me Alone / Ruby Bulbs / Snow Song Pt. 1
10/14/97 40 Watt Club, Athens, GA
FORMAT: video
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: good
LENGTH: 49m
Jeff solo acoustic. Two-Headed Boy (aborted)
Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone
King Of Carrot Flowers Pts.1, 2, 3
A Baby For Pree
In The Aeroplane Over The Sea
I Will Bury You In Time
Engine
Holland, 1945
Naomi
Acid
Ruby Bulbs / unknown ("swimming in your speakers")
Oh Comely
10/31/97 private home, Athens, GA
FORMAT: video
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: good
LENGTH: 48:38
This was a Halloween party at a friend's house.

The video made it into circulation in March '07. It's shot from right next to Jeff and is pretty nice quality. Before the show, there are several somewhat entertaining minutes as the band prepares to play, including Jeff talking to someone about Syd Barrett.

The show marks the first full-band live performance of "Holland, 1945".

Two-Headed Boy Pt. Two
The Fool
The King of Carrot Flowers Pt. One
Everything Is
The King of Carrot Flowers Pts. Two and Three
Naomi
Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone
Holland, 1945
Ruby Bulbs
All the Colors of the Rainbow
Snow Song Pt. One
11/21/97 40 Watt Club, Athens, GA
FORMAT: video
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: good
LENGTH: 20m
Apparently an incomplete recording. Often mislabeled as "1/1/98", but 11/21/97 seems to be the correct date. In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone
The King of Carrot Flowers Pts. Two & Three
The King of Carrot Flowers Pt. One
Song Against Sex
11/22/97 Red Light Cafe, Atlanta, GA
FORMAT: audio
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: ok
LENGTH: 34m
Earliest known live recording of "Ghost".

Pretty funny version of "All The Colors of the Rainbow".

"Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone" is a bit chaotic, and kinda breaks down a couple times.

Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone
A Baby for Pree / Where You'll Find Me Now
The King of Carrot Flowers Pts. Two & Three
Everything Is
Song Against Sex
Ruby Bulbs
All the Colors of the Rainbow
Snow Song Pt. One
Naomi
Ghost
12/5/97 40 Watt Club, Athens, GA

 

[no known recording]

Opening for Vic Chesnut. Liz Durrett canceled so NMH stepped in. Their set included an early unreleased NMH song called "My Skull". Oh Comely
The Fool
Naomi
Gardenhead
My Skull
Ferris Wheel on Fire
Everything Is
In The Aeroplane Over the Sea
Holland 1945
Two Headed Boy
1/1/98 ---> see 11/21/97    
2/4/98 40 Watt Club, Athens, GA
FORMAT: video
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: very good
LENGTH: 54m
Pretty cool video. This was the first show of 1998.. the dawning of the "Aeroplane era" as it were.. a little hometown show before heading out on tour. Holland, 1945
A Baby for Pree
Everything Is
Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone
Naomi
Oh Comely
The Fool
The King of Carrot Flowers Pts. Two & Three
Ghost
Song for Ché
Worms in the Wind
Song Against Sex
Snow Song Pt. One
2/7/98 Cow Haus, Tallahassee, FL
FORMAT: audio
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: very good
LENGTH: 63m
The 1998 Florida Popfest. Fifteen bands played: Neutral Milk Hotel, Kincaid, The Mountain Goats, Racecar, True Love Always, Congratulations, Of Montreal, Masters of the Hemisphere, Crush 22, Silver Apples, The Gerbils, Gritty Kitty, Four Head, Elf Power, and The Music Tapes.

Here's a little review by Chris M.: it seemed like that was the show where everyone, the fans, Jeff, the rest of the band, realised something more was going on here than just another "indie pick of the month". The festival was two or three nights if I remember and NMH were to close the last night of the festival. Because of various delays, NMH didn't get to come on until about 2 am. You would think most of the kids would have been exhausted by this point and shuffling home. But they didn't. The place was packed and it seemed as if the whole crowd was one person, all jumping and screaming every last word Jeff was singing back at him. I have a great memory of Jeff looking back at Julian with this, "What the hell is all this about?" look.

Many versions of this show are incomplete, usually ending at about 45 minutes with a cut in the middle of "Snow Song".

Two-Headed Boy
The Fool
A Baby For Pree
Holland, 1945
Naomi
Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone
Song For Ché 
Ghost
Everything Is
The King Of Carrot Flowers, Pts 2 & 3
Song Against Sex
Snow Song Pt 1
In The Aeroplane Over The Sea
Ferris Wheel On Fire
2/15/98 Young Avenue Deli, Memphis, TN

 

[no known recording]

  Oh Comely
The Fool
A Baby for Pree
Everything Is
Naomi
Holland, 1945
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone
Ghost
The King of Carrot Flowers Pts. 2 and 3
Song Against Sex
Snow Song Pt. One
2/26/98 Sudsy Malone's, Cincinnati, OH
FORMAT: audio
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: good
LENGTH: 52m
Some versions of this recording are only 46 minutes long, and are missing a couple minutes off both the beginning and end.

The reason several NMH shows are incomplete at 45 or 46 minutes dates back to the days when cassette tape trading was the main route for fans (before CDRs and digital formats made tapes obsolete). One side of a 90 minute tape is about 46 minutes. Sometimes traders were lazy and didn't bother to include the rest of the show. Sometimes the master tapes were cut due to lazy tapers.

Two-Headed Boy
The Fool
King Of Carrot Flowers Pt.2 & 3
Everything Is
Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone
Holland, 1945
Ferris Wheel On Fire
Ghost
Naomi
Song Against Sex
Ruby Bulbs
Snow Song Pt. One
2/27/98 Graffiti, Pittsburgh, PA
FORMAT: audio
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: good
LENGTH: 46m
  Two-Headed Boy Pt. 2
The Fool
A Baby for Pree
Gardenhead
Naomi
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
Ghost
King of Carrot Flowers Pts. 2 & 3
Song Against Sex
Ruby Bulbs
Snow Song Pt. One
3/4/98 Cat’s Cradle, Chapel Hill, NC
FORMAT: audio
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: very good
LENGTH: 53m
This bootleg is quite common online. Solid show. 1. Oh Comely
2. The Fool
3. A Baby For Pree
4. Everything Is
5. Naomi
6. Ghost
7. Song For Ché
8. Engine
9. The King of Carrot Flowers Pts. Two and Three
10. Holland, 1945
11. Song Against Sex
12. Ruby Bulbs
13. Snow Song Pt. One
3/7/98 Knitting Factory, New York, NY
FORMAT: video
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: very good
LENGTH: ?
Rarely-played track alert: "April 8th"

Apparently, someone up front was video taping this show, though as far as I know, the recording has not been circulated at all.

UPDATE! In November 2009, the taper began posting songs from this show on YouTube. The set wasn't filmed in its entirety, unfortunately.

Two-Headed Boy
April 8th
Oh Comely
The Fool
The King of Carrot Flowers Pts. Two & Three
Naomi
Ghost
Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone
Holland, 1945
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
A Baby for Pree
Everything Is
Song Against Sex
Ferris Wheel on Fire
Snow Song Pt. One
3/8/98 Middle East, Cambridge, MA
FORMAT: audio
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: good
LENGTH: 62m
  Oh Comely
The Fool
King of Carrot Flowers pts 2 and 3
Naomi
Ghost
Two-Headed Boy
Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone
Holland, 1945
In The Aeroplane Over The Sea
A Baby For Pree
Everything Is
Song Against Sex
Ruby Bulbs / Snow Song Pt. One
3/16/98 The Point, Atlanta, GA
 

 

[no known recording]

  Oh Comely
The Fool
The King of Carrot Flowers Pts. Two & Three
Naomi
Ghost
Two-Headed Boy
Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone
Holland, 1945
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
Song Against Sex
Ruby Bulbs
Snow Song Pt. One
3/28/98 40 Watt Club, Athens, GA
 

 

[no known recording]

  Two-Headed Boy Pt. Two
The King of Carrot Flowers Pts. Two & Three
Holland, 1945
A Baby for Pree
Ferris Wheel on Fire
Song Against Sex
Ruby Bulbs
Snow Song Pt. One
Ghost
untitled
4/3/98 Mermaid Lounge, New Orleans, LA
FORMAT: audio
SOURCE: soundboard
QUALITY: good or excellent (see notes)
LENGTH: 53m
This was kind of like a homecoming show for Jeff, who grew up in nearby Ruston, Louisiana, and he mentions that his mom and sister are in attendance.

The recording is a soundboard/audience hybrid. They had a mixing board in the back and mixed the soundboard live to DAT,  incorporating a room mic into the mix. The more circulated version of this recording badly overloads in the loud parts, plus the end of "Ghost" is cut off and "untitled" is missing. But there is also a version that sounds much better, and includes "Ghost"/"untitled" completely, though that better version is missing the final 2 songs.

Two-Headed Boy
The Fool
Worms in the Wind
King of Carrot Flowers pt 2 and 3
Holland, 1945
Naomi
Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone
In The Aeroplane Over the Sea
Song Against Sex
Ruby Bulbs
Snow Song pt 1
Ghost
untitled
A Baby For Pree
Everything Is
4/4/98 Electric Lounge, Austin, TX
FORMAT: video
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: good
LENGTH: 44m
Decent video, but the person filming the show felt the need to get "artsy" and use a bunch of effects on the video.. so several songs are shot with the color inverted (so instead of some white guys playing in the dark, it looks like black guys playing in heaven) and other songs are shot with a brown hue. You can hear him making comments about it, so it's definitely on the master, not a post-production effect, unfortunately. But the sound is good, and some songs are filmed okay.
I attempted to fix the show up a little, and this version has circulated on DVD among fans.
Oh Comely
The Fool
Naomi
Holland, 1945
Worms In The Wind / King Of Carrot Flowers 2 & 3
Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone
In The Aeroplane Over The Sea
Ruby Bulbs
Snow Song Pt. 1
Ghost / untitled
4/10/98 Spaceland, Silver Lake, CA
This show is known to have been taped, but unfortunately has not really circuated at all. Maybe someday. If you have a copy, please let me know.
?
4/11/98 Bottom of the Hill, San Francisco, CA
FORMAT: video
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: good
LENGTH: 67m
 
A review of this show was posted on the now-defunct music news website SonicNet, and can currently be found at VH1's site.
The review states that the show was 90 minutes. If that's accurate, that would mean the recording is incomplete.
Oh Comely
The Fool
Worms In The Wind / King Of Carrot Flowers 2 & 3
Holland, 1945
Naomi
Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone
In The Aeroplane Over The Sea
Song Against Sex
Ruby Bulbs
Snow Song Pt. 1
Two-Headed Boy
Ghost / untitled
Engine
4/12/98 Bottom of the Hill, San Francisco, CA
FORMAT: video & audio
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: good
LENGTH: 90m video; 74m audio
 
In addition to video, there is also an audio recording of this show, which is readily available online via mp3s. Great show with some rarely played songs. Also, clocking in at about 81 minutes, it seems to be the longest NMH show in circulation, though some audio versions are a few minutes shorter thanks to editing out some downtime between songs. Some versions of the video include about 10 minutes of the soundcheck, with the band playing "Song for Ché" and part of the end of "Ghost" before the show.  Sailing Through 
Two-Headed Boy pt 2
Holland 1945
Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone
A Baby for Pree 
Ferris Wheel on Fire
Worms in the Wind / King of Carrot Flowers pts. 2 & 3
Song Against Sex
Ruby Bulbs 
unknown ("swimming in your speakers")
Snow Song pt. 1
Naomi
I Will Bury You in Time
Ghost / untitled
Oh Comely
King of Carrot Flowers pt 1
Two-Headed Boy
4/14/98 Crocodile Cafe, Seattle, WA
FORMAT: audio
SOURCE: audience [Sony D3]
QUALITY: good
LENGTH: 45m
  1 . Two-Headed Boy
2 . The Fool
3 . Holland, 1945
4 . Worms in the Wind
5 . King Of Carrot Flowers, Pts. Two & Three
6 . Naomi
7 . In The Aeroplane Over The Sea
8 . [technical difficulties]
9 . A Baby For Pree
10 . Song Against Sex
11 . Ruby Bulbs
12 . Snow Song, Pt. One
13 . Ghost
14 . untitled
4/15/98 Satyricon, Portland, OR

 

 

[no known recording]

 

  Two-Headed Boy
The Fool
King of Carrot Flowers Pts 2 and 3
Holland, 1945
Naomi
Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone
In The Aeroplane Over The Sea
Song Against Sex
Ruby Bulbs
Snow Song Pt One
Ghost
untitled
4/18/98 Terrastock II, San Francisco, CA
FORMAT: audio
SOURCE: soundboard (KFJC FM)
QUALITY: excellent
LENGTH: 47:28
Terrastock II was a festival that took place the weekend of April 17-19 of 1998 at the Custer Avenue Stages in San Francisco.

The soundboard recording is from an FM radio broadcast, and depending on the source/generation, sounds anywhere from very good to incredible (there may also be audience recordings of this show). Some copies are missing the first 2 songs, and many are missing the end of the last track.

introduction
Two-Headed Boy
The Fool
Worms in the Wind
The King of Carrot Flowers Pts. Two and Three
Holland, 1945
A Baby for Pree
Ferris Wheel on Fire
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone
Song Against Sex
Ruby Bulbs
Snow Song Pt. One
Ghost
untitled
4/24/98 400 Bar, Minneapolis, MN
FORMAT: audio
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: good
LENGTH: 64m
Technical difficulties and "brain melting" by band members plague some of the first few tracks. "Naomi", in particular, is a train wreck.

Jeff throws in a quick rendition of "All The Colors of the Rainbow" in the middle of "Ruby Bulbs" before eventually transitioning into an epic version of "Snow Song Part 1".
1. Two-Headed Boy
2. The Fool
3. The King of Carrot Flowers Pts. 2 and 3
4. Holland, 1945
5. Naomi
6. Gardenhead/Leave Me Alone
7. In The Aeroplane Over The Sea
8. A Baby For Pree
9. Song Against Sex / Ruby Bulbs / All The Colors of the Rainbow / Snow Song Pt. 1
10. Ghost / untitled
11. Two-Headed Boy Pt. 2
12. Ferris Wheel on Fire
4/25/98 Lounge Ax, Chicago, IL
FORMAT: audio
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: good
LENGTH: 63m
Decent recording, though the crowd is a bit annoying at times. 1 intro (Worms In The Wind spoken)
2 King of Carrot Flowers 1
3 King of Carrot Flowers 2-3
4 Two-Headed Boy pt. 2
5 Holland, 1945
6 Naomi
7 Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone
8 In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
9 Song Against Sex
10 Ruby Bulbs
11 Snow Song pt 1
12 Two-Headed Boy
13 The Fool
14 Ghost
15 untitled
16 A Baby for Pree / Ferris Wheel on Fire
5/22/98 12 Bar Club, London, UK
FORMAT: audio
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: ok
LENGTH: 47m
The band was nervous, as it was their first show outside the US.

The first song is sometimes mislabeled as "Ghost" on this recording.

Oh Comely
The Fool
King of Carrot Flowers Pts 2 & 3
Holland, 1945
Two-Headed Boy
Naomi
In The Aeroplane Over The Sea
A Baby For Pree
Song Against Sex
Ruby Bulbs
Snow Song Pt 1
5/23/98 12 Bar Club, London, UK
FORMAT: audio
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: good
LENGTH: 48m
The master recording source is a Sony Minidisc. Two-Headed Boy Pt. 2
The Fool
Naomi
Holland, 1945
Gardenhead/Leave Me Alone
In The Aeroplane Over The Sea
King Of Carrot Flowers Pts.2 & 3
Oh Comely
Song Against Sex
Ruby Bulbs
Snow Song Pt.1
5/?/98 XFM, London, UK
FORMAT: audio
SOURCE: radio broadcast
QUALITY: excellent
LENGTH: 29m
While NMH was in London for a couple shows, Jeff stopped in at XFM studios for a radio appearance. It included an 11 minute interview and 4 solo acoustic songs. It wasn't broadcast live, but rather played in parts over a week a month later (June 21 thru 25):
interview (broadcast on 21 June 1998)
Gardenhead (21 June 1998)
Engine (22 June 1998, repeated 25 June 1998)
Up & Over Again [sic] (23 June 1998)
Oh Comely (24 June 1998)

This recording is often misdated 18 August 1998. It's possible this session was rebroadcast in August, but it was definitely originally recorded in May.

interview
Gardenhead/Leave Me Alone
Engine
King of Carrot Flowers Pt. 3
Oh Comely
6/29/98 Sapphire Supper Club, Orlando, FL
FORMAT: audio
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: ok
LENGTH: 50m
Some versions of this recording are missing "Ruby Bulbs".

I guess Jeremy Barnes couldn't be at the show for some reason, so the band performs without drums.

Oh Comely
Naomi
Two-Headed Boy
Engine
Holland, 1945
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
The King of Carrot Flowers Pt. One
Ferris Wheel on Fire
Ruby Bulbs
Song Against Sex
Snow Song Pt. One
7/11/98 40 Watt Club, Athens, GA
FORMAT: video
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: poor
LENGTH: 51m
Decent picture for the video, but bad sound. Also, a couple songs are partially cut.

The Athens Summer Music Extravaganza (a.k.a Kindercore Pop Festival) with Wolfie, Elf Power, Bunnygrunt, Dressy Bessy, Gritty Kitty, The Push Kings, Sukpatch, Aden, The Gerbils, Tullycraft, Kincaid, The Autumn Teen Sound, The Ladybug Transistor, The Olivia Tremor Control, Darling Little Jackhammer, Six Cents and Natalie, The Masters of the Hemisphere, The Minders, Junior Varsity, Of Montreal, and Neutral Milk Hotel.

A Baby for Pree
Holland, 1945
Naomi
The King of Carrot Flowers Pts. Two and Three
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
Two-Headed Boy Pt. Two
The Fool
Everything Is
Song Against Sex
Ruby Bulbs
Snow Song Pt. One
Ghost
untitled
7/22/98 Black Cat, Washington, DC
FORMAT: audio
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: good
LENGTH: 61m
Technical difficulties abound, at one point even causing Jeff to say, "This is the most fucked show I've ever played in my life!" But despite that, both the band and the crowd are in good spirits, and it's a pretty solid show. A Baby for Pree
Holland, 1945
Naomi
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
Two-Headed Boy Pt. Two
The King of Carrot Flowers Pt. Two (aborted)
The King of Carrot Flowers Pts. Two and Three
Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone
Ghost
Song Against Sex
Ruby Bulbs
Snow Song Pt. One
Oh Comely
The Fool
7/24/98 Middle East, Cambridge, MA
FORMAT: audio
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: poor
LENGTH: 53m

 

Some versions of this recording seem to be missing the last 3 songs.

A review of this show is online at lunakafe.com.

 

A Baby for Pree
Holland, 1945
Naomi
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
The King of Carrot Flowers Pt. One
The King of Carrot Flowers Pt. Two and Three
Ghost
Song Against Sex
Ruby Bulbs
Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone
Two-Headed Boy Pt. Two
The Fool / Snow Song Pt. One
7/25/98 Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY
FORMAT: audio
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: ?
LENGTH: 50m

 

This show doesn't seem to be in circulation amongst fans, but it was apparently recorded by someone named Patti Vill. Hey Patti, are you out there? Let's trade! A Baby for Pree
Holland, 1945
Naomi
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
The King of Carrot Flowers Pt. One
The King of Carrot Flowers Pts. Two and Three
Two-Headed Boy
The Fool
Engine
Song Against Sex
Ruby Bulbs
Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone
Ghost
untitled
7/26/98 Maxwell's, Hoboken, NJ
 

 

[no known recording]

  Oh Comely
On Avery Island / April 1st
Naomi
Ghost
untitled
Holland, 1945
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
Song Against Sex
Snow Song Pt. One
A Baby for Pree
The King of Carrot Flowers Pts. Two and Three
Everything Is
Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone
Ruby Bulbs
Two-Headed Boy
The Fool
7/30/98 The Bug Jar, Rochester, NY
FORMAT: audio
SOURCE: soundboard / radio broadcast
QUALITY: very good
LENGTH: 51m

 
Radio broadcast. From "Universal Buzz Radio Network". There's a promo CD of the broadcast, but most circulating versions seems to be taped off the radio, as the sound is a bit muffled. (If anyone has a real copy of the Universal Buzz promo cd, please let me know.) It was also available streaming online for a while. There are commercial intros by the DJ, and the bad words have been edited (I think there's just one.. in "Naomi").
There is apparently also an audience recording of this same show.. lower quality, obviously.
The show features a rare live recording of "Avery Island / April 1st".
1. Oh Comely
2. Avery Island / April 1st
3. Naomi
4. A Baby For Pree
5. Holland, 1945
6. King Of Carrot Flowers Pts 2 & 3
7. In The Aeroplane Over The Sea
8. Song Against Sex
9. Ruby Bulbs
10. Snow Song Pt. 1
11. Ghost
12. untitled
8/18/98 XFM Session --> see 5/?/98

8/18/98 The Garage, London, England
FORMAT: audio
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: very good
LENGTH: 44m
 
Many fans point to this as one of the best NMH bootlegs out there. The recording sounds very nice, and the band is in top form. Oh Comely
The Fool
A Baby For Pree
Holland, 1945
King Of Carrot Flowers Pts. 2 and 3
Everything Is
King Of Carrot Flowers Pt. 1
In The Aeroplane Over The Sea
Song Against Sex
Ruby Bulbs
Ghost
untitled
9/14/98 Concorde, Brighton, England
 

 

[no known recording]

  Two-Headed Boy
The Fool
The King of Carrot Flowers Pts. Two and Three
Holland, 1945
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
Song Against Sex
Song for Che
Ghost
untitled
9/18/98 Pusterviksbaren, Gothenburg, Sweden
FORMAT: audio
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: good
LENGTH: 39m
Technical difficulties put a damper on the show, but both the band and the crowd still seem in good spirits. Two-Headed Boy
The Fool
The King of Carrot Flowers Pts. Two and Three
Holland, 1945
Naomi
Ferris Wheel on Fire
Ghost
untitled
Song Against Sex
Song for Ché
10/10/98 University MDH, Manchester, England
FORMAT: audio
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: good
LENGTH: 41m
 
This is the latest full-band NMH live recording in circulation. Oh Comely
The Fool
King Of Carrot Flowers Pts. 2 & 3
Holland, 1945
Naomi
In The Aeroplane Over The Sea
Song Against Sex / Ruby Bulbs
Ghost
10/13/98 Peter Curran Show, GLR, London, England
FORMAT: audio
SOURCE: radio broadcast
QUALITY: very good
LENGTH: 9m
This recording had been erroneously referred to as "Capitol Radio Session" when it first started circulating online, but it has since been revealed to actually be from GLR. Those familiar with London radio know Capitol is far too mainstream pop to ever play NMH.

Some versions skip in "Naomi". Also in the song, Jeff censors himself, saying "she smells like eggs" instead of "shit".

interview
Naomi
interview (contest for listeners)
12/5/98 Athens, GA
FORMAT: video
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: good
LENGTH: 30m
 
Mostly Jeff solo/acoustic/seated. This show, which took place in an old school gymnasium, was a birthday party for Chris Bilheimer, who is like a behind-the-scenes member of R.E.M.
It features a rare performance of the unreleased song "Little Birds", this being the only known recording of it, live or otherwise.
Little Birds
Two-Headed Boy
In The Aeroplane Over The Sea
Holland 1945
Everything Is
Oh Comely (recording cuts off near the end)
12/31/98 40 Watt, Athens, GA
FORMAT: video
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: good
LENGTH: 13m
Short acoustic set by Jeff, with Julian Koster joining on saw and Scott Spillane on trumpet. Features a rare performance of "Oh Sister" by request. This show was basically the last the world would hear of Neutral Milk Hotel as anything close to an active band, and you can almost sense closure in the performance.
Video shot from close to the stage.
Audio from this show is often packaged together with 12/5/98 (above) under the title "Accordion Peas".
Engine
Oh Sister
In The Aeroplane Over The Sea
2/4/01 King's Arms, Auckland, New Zealand
FORMAT: audio
SOURCE: soundboard
QUALITY: excellent
LENGTH: 52m
This is thought to be Jeff's first/last/only performance since 1998, and was the last time he played any NMH song live until 2008 (when he played "Engine" on the E6 Holiday Surprise tour, and in 2010 when he played a couple shows). This is basically a solo Jeff Mangum show under the name ‘Walking Wall of Beards, Inc.’ Jeff was joined by multi-instrumentalist Laura Carter on a few songs. Chris Knox joins for the last song (a John Lennon cover). Here is a link to a review and some pictures from the show. Two-Headed Boy
I Love How You Love Me
Song Against Sex
King of Carrot Flowers pts. 1, 2, & 3
Everything Is
Gardenhead / Leave Me Alone
Ghost
Oh Comely
Engine
In The Aeroplane Over The Sea
Jeff's Walking Wall of Beards explanation
Mother
Holiday Surprise 2008 tour
(various)
The Elephant Six Holiday Surprise 2008 tour featured a Neutral Milk Hotel reunion of sorts, with Jeff and Julian Koster performing the NMH b-side "Engine" at some of the shows. Apparently the first occurrence was Pittsburgh (Oct 18), and then again at every show (pretty much?) until the final stop of the tour in Lexington, Kentucky (Oct 23). Also, Scott Spillane and Julian performed "The Fool" several times on the tour, adding to the NMHness.
links:
Video of "Engine" (Pittsburgh, PA 10/18/08): vimeo.com
Video of "Engine (Columbus, OH 10/19/08): youtube
Video of "The Fool + Engine / Happy Birthday" (Lexington, KY 10/23/08): youtube
Mp3 of "Engine / Happy Birthday" (Lexington, KY 10/23/08): youaintnopicasso
Photos of Pittsburgh, PA 10/18/08: pitchfork
Photos of Chicago, IL 10/21/08: pitchfork
5/6/10 Le Poisson Rouge, New York, NY
FORMAT: video clips
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: varies
LENGTH: (various clips)
Jeff Mangum played a 5-song set at a benefit show for Chris Knox in NYC. While a complete recording hasn't popped up yet, much of the show is available in clips on YouTube.

The show was professionally recorded, with plans for a radio broadcast at a later date. Unfortunately, this hasn't happened, with rumors that Jeff changed his mind about allowing it.

Oh Comely
A Baby for Pree
Two-Headed Boy Pt 2
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
Engine
12/5/10 Schoolhouse, New York, NY
FORMAT: audio
SOURCE: audience
QUALITY: good
LENGTH:
Jeff played a surprise set of 10 NMH songs at a small venue called The Schoolhouse in Brooklyn, NY for a crowd of about 75.

You can find the last half of the set online (link). Unfortunately, since the person who posted these showed up halfway through the set, a recording of the first half hasn't popped up online yet.

01 Oh Comely
02 In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
03 Gardenhead
04 Engine
05 Ghost
06 King of Carrot Flowers Pt. 1-3
07 Song Against Sex
08 Naomi
09 Two Headed Boy
10 Two Headed Boy Pt. 2

 

additions or corrections? --> gavin7@gmail.com 

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