Phenomenal. That's a good way to start to capture last night's Wilco show at Wolf Trap. Tweedy and co. were on fire in Vienna on what could be described as a perfect summer night. The sold out crowd took in what will be one of the best shows played at Wolf Trap all year.
Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band kicked off the night as the sun dragged down behind the hillside, offering up a collection of tracks from their record Outer South. The tracks played were all a little lighter, a little less serious, and more feet-move friendly than nearly anything Oberst created with Bright Eyes. 'Spoiled' was a great example of his consistant lyrical musings, however. Their set highlight 'Nicorette' is another great display of his ability to juxtapose seemingly meaningless and unrelated themes to form a cohesive, trademark anthem.
Wilco took to the stage a bit after 9PM and opened with the title track from their latest studio effort, Wilco (the Album). Next came fan favorite and poetically sweet 'Shot in the Arm' where many in the crowd sang along with "Something in my veins, bloodier than blood!" At this point, it seems like the show become dominated by Nels Cline riffs, a feeling that would be embraced all night. 'At Least That's What You Said' ripped in to a string of sick tracks. New jam 'Bull Black Nova' sonically verberated the now darkening wooded scene. Sky Blue Sky favorite 'You Are My Face' followed and was played with grace and perfection. 'I'm Trying to Break Your Heart' rang out for all the fans clamoring for a Yankee Hotel Foxtrot number before 'One Wing' lifted the newbies.
At this point Tweedy declared to the audience that they were going to play another fan favorite, a song that had 36! votes on their Web site. A small chuckle ensued before they broke out the Summerteeth classic 'How to Fight Loneliness'. Thoughts were on late former band member and co-writer Jay Bennett who passed away this May. The band turned it up once again by playing the Nels-roaring and generally soaring 'Impossible Germany' before the new and somewhat stoic 'Deeper Down'. The ever-popular 'Jesus Etc.' found everyone singing along before 'Sonny Feeling', 'Handshake Drugs' and SBS backbones 'Hate it Here' and an ever-jamming 'Walken' ensued. Wilco closed out the set with 'I'm the Man Who Loves You' and 'Hummingbird', leaving the glee and shine typically reserved for moments of solitary content cast over the 6500+ sets of eyes.
Returning to a cheering crowd after a very quick break before encore (and likely trying to fit in as much musical love before 'time' ran out), the band broke into the new 'You Never Know' and 'Heavy Metal Drummer': while there may have been some ear ringing, there was nothing 'classical music' about their remaining performance. A thrilling 'Misunderstood' certainly did not require any thank you's Tweedy wouldn't hand out: it was the crowd in awe of the performance who should have been showing appreciation (and were). They were far from finished. A hyphenated 'Spiders (Kidsmoke)' was an awesome display of jam and Cline-freak-strum, a continuation of a night of the guitarist's ridiculous craftsmanship and abuse of the stick. The boys closed with 'I'm a Wheel', assuring everyone in the audience that may have still held any doubts: Wilco certainly does love you.
Wilco (the song)/Shot in the Arm/At Least That's What You Said/Bull Black Nova/You Are My Face/I'm Trying to Break Your Heart/One Wing/How To Fight Loneliness/Impossible Germany/Deeper Down/Jesus Etc./Sonny Feeling/Handshake Drugs/Hate It Here/Walken/I'm the Man Who Loves You/Hummingbird/ E: You Never Know/Heavy Metal Drummer/Misunderstood/Spiders(Kidsmoke)/I'm a Wheel
Comments
I was there with friends and family. Phenomenal describes it for me!
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!