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Show Review
As Wilco stepped into the sonic pedals of the opener "Poor Places," the crowd remained in their seats and absorbed the moment of owning a personal Wilco show live right before their eyes. Like your favorite band playing an open mic at your local bar, this show immediately contained a euphoric band to audience connection.  Bassist John Stirratt's rhythm could easily be felt right from the opener, a cohesive vibration often reserved within the progressive rock of Pink Floyd or Rush. During a new song, "At Least That Is What You Said," Tweedy found himself playing blistering solos, that seemed to amaze even himself, that added dare I say, improvisation, and at times caused him to shake and rattle, like a cross between David Byrne and Neil Young. As he introduced "Kamera" from Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, Tweedy apologized to the crowd that his voice may not be in tip-top shape, after undergoning a recent surgery a few weeks back on his nasal septum. With a rustic, ragged and lonesome vocal delivery- Tweedy is clearly the star of Wilco, the unassuming leader who sings with passion and conviction, as during the end of "I’m Trying To Break Your Heart," that had him screaming with a focused eye and a clenched up face. After completing the tune, somone from the crowd reassured to Tweedy, "Jeff your voice sounds great." The band’s versatility on record and in concert has multiplied over the past couple years, largely due to the addition of drummer Glen Kotche, who adds a diverse range of rhythmic styles. One would never imagine Wilco, pulling off a funky sounding groove number as in "Jesus, etc" which featured a spine tingling jazzy guitar lead from Tweedy and a soulful organ foundation by "multi-instrumentalist", Leroy Bach that had the rhythm sounding more Steely Dan than Uncle Tupelo.From the rock and roll charisma rifled in "Shot in the Arm," "I got you(at the end of the century) and "Heavy Metal Drummer," there was enough energy to shake your fist and head and still hear each word perfectly. The last tune, "Heavy Metal Drummer" is quite possibly becoming the live favorite for fans, with its psychedelic effects and welcoming beat and lyrics that reminiscence of complacent youth and freedom. The audience added the ooohs and ahhhs, between the yearbook lyrics of,"I miss the innocence I’ve known, playing Kiss covers beautiful and stoned," without sounding too "group sing a long." Although at the end of the song, Tweedy reminded the crowd that the band doesn’t know any Kiss covers.  Of course it wouldn’t be a Wilco show without Tweedy strumming his acoustic guitar, performing some of the band’s most personal songs, amongst them: "Misunderstood," "Red Eyed &Blue, " "California Stars, " and "Hesitating Beauty." It was just one memorable number after another during the 2 hour plus show, that provided the captivated crowd just what they had came to see and hear - Wilco live and personal. Setlist Poor Places / I'm The Man Who Loves You / At Least That's What You Said / Company In My Back / I Am Trying To Break Your Heart / War On War / Kamera / Shot In The Arm / Heavy Metal Drummer / Jesus, etc / Hesitating Beauty / California Stars / Red Eyed &Blue / I Got You //Encore 1: Not For The Season / Misunderstood / Far Far Away // Encore 2: Monday / Outtasite / Kicking TelevisionPhotos courtesy of Jason Gonulsen .
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As the members of Wilco took to the stage at the beginning of the evening, the Flynn Theater was immediately graced with a sense of presence. A presence that had the appreciative crowd involuntarily chirping out excited "whoas," right as the band settled behind their instruments. Recently, Wilco has garnered righteous credibility and stature from both fans and the music industry, usually reserved for the likes of icons like Bob Dylan; something lead singer/guitarist Jeff Tweedy, although very humble, would even handle as a complement. As an architect of the alt/country sound that has generated countless other lyrically minded versatile bands, it might not be long before Tweedy is revered in a lofty league of his own. 
