Review: Wilco

Photos by Susan Pfannmulle/Special to The Star

“There’s something for everyone,” Jeff Tweedy told a sold-out Uptown Theater on Saturday night, right after he and his mates in Wilco had finished a version of “War on War” and right before they jumped into another peppy pop tune, “Dawned on Me.” More than preceding Wilco shows, this one felt more comprehensive and diverse. It delivered goods from every point in his band’s 17-year, eight-album catalog plus one from Tweedy’s beloved former band. It also included one of the year’s best encore moments.

Wilco is touring on “The Whole Love,” the most recent of those albums, which was released in late September. They would play eight of its songs, -- nearly one-third of the show -- all shuffled among tracks from the seven others. It made for a panoramic setlist, although one that illustrated the stark differences between those records’ personalities and, thus, felt a bit disjointed at some points. 

Following a luminescent one-man set by opener Nick Lowe (including a gorgeous cover of Elvis Costello’s “Alison”), Tweedy and his five-man band took a stage that was rigged and dressed up for what would be a stellar light and visual show. They opened with “Less Than You Think” from “A Ghost is Born” before showcasing the new record, starting with “The Art of Almost.” 

Like several other songs that followed, that one gave  guitarist Nels Cline, keyboardist Mikael Jorgensen and multi-instrumentalist Pat Sansone, a chance to unleash squalls of noise: infernal guitar leads and bursts of keyboards and atonal effects, all held together by the ace rhythm section of bassist John Stirratt and drummer Glenn Kotche.

The explosive head-banging coda on “Almost” was the first of many outbursts (including the barrages of percussive chaos that disrupted “Via Chicago”), and if it wasn’t the best, at least none other was more arousing. As much as it showcased Wilco's disparate trove of songs, it showed off a band that keeps getting more dynamic and formidable and one that looks like it's having fun doing it.

In the online world, reaction to “Whole Love” has been tepid among many Wilco fans, especially those who haven’t moved on from “Yankee Hotel Foxrot,” Wilco’s most critically acclaimed album, and who found the  band’s past two records to be a bit too tame and fastidious. Tweedy gave those fans plenty to cheer about -- five “Foxtrot” tracks, including two that ignited the evening’s loudest cheers and sing-alongs, both of them encores: “Heavy Metal Drummer” and “I’m the Man Who Loves You.” The other rousing moments: the spry version of “Hummingbird,” “War on War” (another “Foxtrot” tune) and “Shot in the Arm,” one of two from “Summerteeth.”

Tweedy was dressed in a sport jacket and button-down white print shirt, no tie, and he looked like his normal, disheveled self -- like a guy who’d just left his office job and was headed for a corner bar. He kept his chit-chat to a minimum. He stopped once to complain about (apparently) the reserved VIP seating arrangement way up front, making it abundantly clear that the band neither approved nor endorsed it. “There’s a guy who is always in the front row,” he said, pointing to someone in the VIP section, “and it’s not you.”

Speaking of First World problems, the crowd, at least where I stood, grew restless several times and very talkative, usually (but not always) when the band played songs from the new record. Tweedy tried to coax the crowd into indulging the band on one of the new ones: “The really cool crowds love this song,” he said before playing “Capitol City,” a light jazzy-pop tune with a TV theme-song or car-jingle groove. 

He followed that with “New Madrid,” a track from his Uncle Tupelo days, which rekindled the festive mood and started another sing-along and some sporadic fist-pumping. Other highlights: a torrid version of “Impossible Germany” and “Box Full of Letters,” the only nod to “A.M.,” the band’s first album (although the response to that was less then expected).

They ended with a with a six-song encore, including one of the new ones that generated some crowd energy: the effervescent “Standing O,” then two brash tunes from the “Being There” album: “Monday” and “Outtasite (Outta Mind).”

Anyone who has been following this tour on-line knew what might happen next, but even knowing didn’t ruin the experience. The band returned again, to lead Lowe through his biggest hit. “Cruel to be Kind.” The place was still nearly full at that point, a little more than two hours after Wilco took the stage. And  on a night that showcased the disparate catalog of one band (and its chief songwriter), this moment felt as much as any other like something for everyone.

Setlist: Less Than You Think; The Art of Almost; I Might; Misunderstood; Black Moon; Via Chicago; You and I; Kamera; Box Full of Letters; Born Alone; Radio Cure; Impossible Germany; Capitol City; New Madrid; Someday Soon; War on War; Dawned on Me; Hummingbird; Shot in the Arm. Encore: Whole Love; Heavy Metal Drummer; I’m the Man Who Loves You; Standing O; Monday; Outtasite (Outta Mind); Cruel to be Kind (with Nick Lowe).

 

Nick Lowe: His 40-minute performance was one of the best solo-acoustic opening sets I've ever seen. The stripped-down arrangements revealed his lyrical prowess, especially on songs like "House for Sale" and "Lately I've Let Things Slide": "I go to the bin / I throw the laundry in / And pick out the cleanest shirt / Then I tell myself again / I don't really hurt." The highlight of his set was also one of the evening's best moments: a cover of Elvis Costello's "Alison."

| Timothy Finn, The Star

Comments

[Dave]

It was a great show. True, the set list was very diverse. I've seen Wilco around 10 times, and this one was one of my favorites. I was disappointed that they didn't play One Sunday Morning from the new CD. Ours might be the only show on this tour where they haven't played it. Nick Lowe was sublime and such a classy guy. Crowd was feisty and chatty, but a great night.

[M Christine Doxsey]

"He stopped once to complain about (apparently) the reserved VIP seating arrangement way up front, making it abundantly clear that the band neither approved nor endorsed it. 'There’s a guy who is always in the front row,” he said, pointing to someone in the VIP section, “and it’s not you'."

That guy he was talking about had stood in line all afternoon along with another friend, me and two underage teenagers. Our group was second in line. There were NO reserved VIP seats. The Uptown CANVASSED the line telling folks that for 5 bucks they could go into the bar, have a drink and wait for the show. I wasn't interested, nor am I sure I could have, taken those underage kids to the bar. When I asked him if those folks paying extra would have an entry advantage going to the stage he said no. Some minutes before the doors opened, those 50 or so people went to the floor. Our group, as well as many people behind us who had given up their afternoons to wait in the rain were quite unhappy. We ended up 4 rows back instead of on the rail where we should have been.

Jeff Tweedy is a stand up guy for admonishing such shoddy behavior by the Uptown management.

Read more: http://backtorockville.typepad.com/back_to_rockville/2011/12/review-wilco.html#ixzz1fc3hNNU5

[cabmando]

From Mr. Lowes incredible opening set to Wilco's unbelievable bombastic opening number, we all were treated to one stunning night of deverse music. Thank you Nick and Wilco long live rock

[Joe]

Given the Uptown's handling of things, this may be the last time we see Wilco at the Uptown. They may have outgrown it anyway, but I bet Jeff will not be too eager to go back after the stunt they pulled.

[Tim Finn]

I got this message from a friend on Facebook:

So I wasn't going to mention this until I saw something about it in your column, and in the comments, but that guy who Jeff pointed out as not being the guy who's always front-row at all Wilco shows was next to me on the rail. We got there early, like this guy and his wife, stood in the rain until we heard about the early entry thing, and couldn't figure out why they were offering the dry-place-to-hang-out-and-drink option for $5 per person. We were thrilled, but really confused why everybody wasn't doing it. (****) figured out that underage drinkers and anybody without the extra $5 would be stuck outside, but we were assured we'd all get on the front row, including the people we had waited with in front of the line outside. Then we got in and Jeff was mad we were up there! He actually pointed at me when he said "You guys didn't wait in line!" I said "WE DID!" So he said, "Okay, maybe you did, but THAT GUY (next to me) didn't. He'd melt if he had waited in line." And then I felt so guilty all night! I felt I had personally screwed up Jeff Tweedy's night.
For the record, the "not that guy" guy is a super fan, and has been to every Wilco show known to man. He knew all their guitars, all the equipment, knew the drum set was new, etc. He laughed at all the jokes, was truly a huge fan. I left wishing Jeff had kept his complaints directed to the Uptown's management, and not put them on a personal note because I had been so happy to be there. This show was one of my favorites in recent memory, except for that whole "maybe I don't deserve to be here" thing.

[Bob L.]

I thought the show started a little slow, but really picked up around Box Full of Letters and New Madrid and ended brilliantly with Sir Lowe and Cruel to be Kind. Nick's opening set truly was sublime. But - and maybe I'm showing my age here - the only complaint was that ridiculous light show, which completely distracted from the music and, at times, practically gave me virtigo from all the flashing and blinking. Strobes are for the heavy metal bands. Wilco doesn't need such nonsense.

[Green]

Great show, this was my first time seeing them. The show reminded me of the Pixies, both bands hold a cult status, they dont get radio play and the fans are super fans. Everyone around me knew everything about the band, the members and each song. I really liked what I heard, just about everything sounded good. Guess I need to pick up a couple more Wilco cds.

[Green]

To bad the Uptown pulled that greedy move before the show. I knew they would let the people in the bar in first, but I didnt feel like giving them any more money. It's just a greedy trick by the Uptown, maybe 50 to 100 people went in the bar, you have to wonder if it was worth it, I doubt Wilco will come back. They could have opened both doors at the same time or let everyone come in out of the rain but to let the bar go frist was completely classless. Basically what happened was everyone at the back of the line payed 5 dollars to cut ahead of everyone who stood in the rain for 2 or 3 hours. The people up front myself included got hosed, 2 hours in the rain for nothing. Pretty funny Wilco called them out, most bands wouldnt do that, thanks Wilco.

[JC]

Where exactly are these tepid online reactions to The Whole Love? There will always be a few fans who dislike any new album, but from what I've read on fan forums, the vast majority of Wilco fans love the new album.

[William O'neal]

OMG!!!! THE HORROR!!! The Uptown made $5.00 on 20 people, OMG!! THEY MADE AN EXTRA 100 dollars!??!!! HOW DARE THEY!!!

But the most important thing is for some this righteous punk ass bitch Tweedy to make his fans ( paying customers) feel bad.

IF YOU ARE SO CONCERNED WITH THIS "SPECIAL" FAN, THEN WHY DO YOU MAKE HIM WAIT IN THE RAIN? HUH ASSHOLE?

FUK TWEEDY nd his ranting, shut up and play guitar you over paid bitch.

HOW MUCH FUCKING MONEY DID TICKETMASTER MAKE ON THIS SHOW?? and tweedy boy is worried about a hundred bucks some evil doers made? that is joke. fuk tweedy and fuk wilco.

Spoiled douchers, like tweedy, who get paid BIG (too much) money to play music for a living lose touch with reality.

IF TWEEDY WANTS TO DO SOME GOOD,
THEN WHY DOESNT HE GO RANT AT TICKETBASTARD

Making people wait in the rain?
yeah, he is so concerned about his fans.

[William O'neal]

And to the chumps who were too stupid to pay an extra $5.00 to come in out of the rain? Tough sht for you dumbasses, you are just stupid. YOU GAVE TICKETMASTER MORE THAN THAT.

The moral? Dont be stupid cheap

And dont say you got nothing, you got 4th row, and you saved 5 bucks. Quit whining all the time.

[Green]

Or he was in touch with reality and was upset that his diehard fans waited hours in the rain for nothing. Everyone on the rail came from the bar, end of story and the majority of them were futher back in the line most likely only waiting 20 or 30 minutes outside before they moved to the bar. There were a couple people that were high up in the line that took the 5 dollar bar offer but not many, most figured they didnt need to spend any money to get any closer as they were already at the front of the line. I honestly dont think it was about the money as much as it was about the people outside getting locked out while the bar advanced into the show. The guy he was picking on, it was pretty tongue-in-cheek, I think he said it mainly because he and his wife were 20 or 30 years older than everyone else and typically the front row is a younger group. Honestly, I thought the guy nodded that he didnt wait in line but maybe he was just playing along.

[Green]

I got 2nd row not forth and was asked not to run, thank you!

[Thomas]

All that was about 50 people getting better seats? That's a little ridiculous. If you're behind 50 people at the Uptown, you're in a great spot for the show. If you're behind 150, the show will even sound good. I mean, yeah, not fair and so not cool, but, really, let's not pretend this was a big deal.

A sign of how good Lowe's set was: it was very quiet in the quiet moments. In the balcony there was a not a sound, no conversation at all.

I will always be confused by the rabid reception for "I'm the Man Who Loves You."

I don't know why they don't end their first set with Impossible Germany. It's very hard for anything to follow that immediately.

[William O'neal]

"The guy he was picking on, it was pretty tongue-in-cheek, I think he said it mainly because he and his wife were 20 or 30 years older"
=========================

oh, so it was just an old guy he was making fun of? oh, just an old guy? yeahh, hahaha.

Cuz, you know?.... It is always ok to make fun of the old guy... rught? hahahaha... oh yeah.. so fkn funny... FUCK TWEEDY EVEN HARDER FOR THAT!!!

I bet tweedy is one of these assholes who preaches "Dont be a bully"... but when it comes down to it.... HE THE FIRST TO BULLY SOMEONE... YEAH!!!!! SO FUKING FUNNY!!!

BULLY THE OLD GUY?
SAY THE OLD GUY WILL MELT IN THE RAIN?

FUK EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS!!!

So, lets drop this "dont be a bully" nonsense. It is human nature to bully people, it is what they do, and as the evidence shows, Tweedy is the first one to step up and be a bully. FK HIM!!!

Tweedy was the one who set up this deal where people would be waiting OUTSIDE IN DECEMBER, FOR HOURS!!! This is 100% on Tweedy.

I applaud the Uptown for realizing the shitting conditions and offering people a way out.

[M.Hun]

Wilco and Nick Lowe both put on stellar performances. This was probably my 10th-ish Wilco show overall, and it ranked among my favorites. The Uptown did pull a shifty move -- primarily by blatantly lying to those who asked how the line/bar business would be handled -- but I trust that it had nothing to do with Wilco, who has always respected their fans. To imply otherwise is ridiculous. And to do so with drunken, misspelled, randomly capitalized grammar just makes you sound like an idiot.

At any rate, I will absolutely be at the next KC date, regardless of where they play. This band just keeps getting tighter with every tour and every album. I feel bad for the folks who seemed disinterested during the Whole Love songs. Once they actually give it a listen, they'll probably wish they had paid attention when given the opportunity to hear the songs live.

[N. None]

Awwwww M.Hun, arent you just a precious little doucherbag, but you need to work on your definitions, because you are clueless as you say;

""I trust that it had nothing to do with Wilco, who has always respected their fans.""

Uh, it has everything to do with wilco choosing to do a GA show in December, and yeah, they respect their fans so much that they force them (if they want good seats) to line up outside in December and freeze their asses off and/or get soaked in the rain. Is that your defintion of repsect?

Respect would be doing a reserved seating show and avoid all this nonsense.

And how about the respect Tweedy showed his "older (and in his opinion, less deserving fans)" by calling/pointing them out, and trying to embarrass, them in public?

That is what you call respect?
That is what you call them having nothing to do with it? I call it proving you are a clueless idiot M.Hun

[M Christine Doxsey]

Calm down.

[Not the DT]

Look, Do I think Jeff Tweedy should have aimed his ire at The Uptown and their staff of buffoons and not the fans who took advantage of an offer to come inside? Sure. But that would make too much sense. It only made Jeff look arrogant and even a bit whiny. But what do I care? I personally think Tweedy is an overrated songwriter who needs a bath. Now if Nick Lowe would just come back on his own so I can skip Nels Cline and his distracting guitar heroics, that would be just fine. Carry on...

[DT]

aaarrrggg, off with tweedy's head!!!

AAGGGARGGGGRGGGGGGG!!!

;)

signed,
DT
The Real McCoy

PS
Why are the Uptown staff buffoons for letting people come in out of the rain? Tweedy (and his inflated ego) is the problem here

[Andrew]

Ignore the trolls, people.

[SinCityDisciple]

Any response from Uptown management?

[M Christine]

Do you guys blaming Jeff Tweedy for this debacle have reading comprehension issues?

I actually emailed the Uptown. I'd be surprised to get a response.

[JJ]

It is not trolls. Just the same troll of many names. Please ignore him.

[John]

Christine,
It would not even be an issue if tweedy had not done his rant, or felt obligated to point out and try to embarrass "the old people" up up front.

Of course tweedy is to blame, but it is not really a debacle.

[Nivek9]

Somebody let me know when Jay Farrar is coming back to town. I'm glad Nick Lowe was so well received. I had a great time at the John Prine show the night before.

[onthemark]

Wilco put on a really good show! I don't remeber ever seeing the Uptown quite so full.

And I have to agree with Thomas about 'Impossible Germany'. What a kick ass version! As was 'Heavy Metal Drummer'!

Nick Lowe sounded great as well. I really dug that song 'I Live On A Battlefield' (not sure if that is the actual title)

Overall, a great night of live rock and roll!

P.S. Agree with fellow posters, please ignore the dump troll.

[Kyle]

Yes, ignore any comments (wether they are from Tim Finn, DT or anyone else) which might paint Tweedy in a negative light, it is impolite. Ignore anyone who says anything other what a great show it was.

[onthemark]

Not a matter of painting Jeff Tweedy in a negative light. I think he did the right thing, he called out the Uptown on the way they handled the situation and made note it was the venue and NOT the band who made that decision.

[Vandelay]

It seems like Wilco prefers venues with open standing areas, but I'm beginning to question the wisdom of that. It inevitably leads to the type of complaints that we're hearing about now. Also, plenty of people on the floor are complainig about people behind them shoving their way ahead of them. Not cool.

Had this show been at the Midland, for example, there wouldn't have been this problem. Plus, the Midland would have accommodated more fans. Based on how quickly the Uptown sold out, the Midland might have been a better choice.

, This show should have been at the Midland in the first place. Based on how quickly the Uptown sold out and how many people I heard from who could not get tickets, the Midland would have been a better choice. Plus, they have floor seating, which eliminates the issues with

[Vandelay]

Ugh, ignore my last paragraph, forgot to delete that.

[pellboy]

Vandelay, I believe the band could have requested an open standing area at the Midland as well so other thean accomodating more people, might they have the same issues there?. Like the Uptown, they don't have fixed seating on the floor.

As for the troll(s), it's okay to offer negative comments when warranted, but why always so damn angry? Are you five years old? Jeezuz, can't you express yourselves in a fashion that doesn't come across as full-on attack mode? I guess anymore whether it's TV or the internet, it's all about who can shout the loudest. Maybe if you'd tone it down a notch or ten, people would actually listen to your critiques.

[Chris Klein]

everyone calm down, and be very quiet.
Dont you all understand that tweedy is a big time star and how big time stars are allowed to do anything they want and that includes making fun of old people, because as everyone knows, old people suck and deserve to be bullied.

[danny alexander]

I'm assuming the Uptown sold drinks in that bar. I'd guess that was the money they were after, not the $100 off the line.

[trolls really suck]

Sorry troll. You have been shot down again. Probably time for you to go back to your other favorite blog www.mylifesucks.com and post your illogical and angry rants there. No one here cares what you think.

[Papoon]

$5 is cheap for the Uptown. Usually they sell early entry tickets for $25/35 which supposedly gets you a buffet (not in my experience) a reserved parking spot (no one is around to show you where is my experience) and then early entry. I've done it a couple of times when I didn't want to stand in the cold. The Midland also has a bar next door, but for Coheed & Cambria is was free and we still got in early and the Pageant in St. Louis has a bar that is also free and gets you in early. Now let's talk about $12 beers.

[crikey]

Sorry? SORRY??

Love means...
never having to say you are sorry.

:)

[Walter Kingly]

The Uptown should get award, keys to the city or maybe a plaque for helping out their paying customers and offering them an opportunity to come in out of the rain. It is rare and very admirable that the Uptown did everything it could to ruin the evil Tweedy's plan to soak and freeze to death the creepy #1 fan who comes to every show. Of course, nothing can stop the evil Tweedy from berating the older fans up front, sadly, that is just the kind of a-hole he is.

[Green]

Where was the 5 dollar early entry when it was 100 degrees this summer, I recall Fleet Foxes and My Morning Jacket being hot as hell, it really wasn't all that bad Saturday night, jus a little wet. As for the comment about having a seated show, please no, seated shows lack energy, everyone sits down and then the couple people who want to stand get yelled at, Ryan Adams show at the Uptown was seated and it was flat, sure Ryan didn't help but seats suck the energy right out the door.

[Randy]

As long as Ryan plays Summer of 69,
his fans will be happy.

==============================
"the couple people who want to stand get yelled at"

man, there sure seems to be a lot of yelling going on in KC.

[Danr]

Tweedy did not say one word about "old people", let alone make fun of them. You people are just making shit up now to prove whatever nonsensical point you think you have. Where does all this anger come from? If you hate the band and hate Tweedy so much, why did you pay good money to be there?

[pellboy]

Danr, just a word of warning, once they grab hold of something, they don't easily let go of it. I'm quite sure that Tweedy and his perceived ageism will be topic du jour on here at least at least until the next "Mellow Fest" review diverts their attention.

[Todd]

Making shit up? harummpphhh....
you think we just made up the fact that Tweedy tried to conspire with ticketmaster to keep anyone over 50 years old from buying tickets?, or that for fun he like to promise charity shows in old folks homes, but then always cancels?

Tweedy is on several government list as a known OPH (old people hater).

You think we just make that shit up? come on man!!!

Tweedy has hated old people for a long long time, just read the lyrics of his songs, most of them are about abusing the aged.

[Soylant Green]

Wilco, just like Radiohead, is one of those bands that critics literally ram down your throat, telling you that everything they release is a work of genius. Sorry, but some of us aren't buying. I love so music music, from all genres (OK, except maybe for Hip/Hop and dub-ANYTHING), but some favorites of critics baffle me. A lot of Wilco's music is simply dull. That's not being a troll. That's just the way I perceive it.

[Danr]

You know Todd, now that you mention it...I'm 50 and about an hour after I bought my tickets I got a call from somebody that sounded very much like Jeff Tweedy saying "Gramps, are you sure you want to go to to that crazy rock and roll show? I think there's a 'Murder She Wrote' marathon on TV Land that night."

I didn't think anything of it at the time, but now...

[Andrew]

Who the hell are you people?

[Soylant Green]

Fellow music lovers like yourself, Andrew. With opinions, just like you.

[Chia]

LMAO... nice!!! This is more fun than an Obama ch-ch-ch-Chia planter.

[Batman]

""Who the hell are you people?""

I'm Batman

[I am will]

""Who the hell are you people?""

will.i.am