Wilco (The Band) played a spectacular set at The Forum (The Venue) in Melbourne (The City) last night to an adoring crowd.
The show opened with a real bang - a list of rules that included no photography or video, but allowed audio recording (note for future Wilco audience members). “Please ensure you adhere to these rules to ensure your Wilco performance is not cut short,” it said.The bizarre robot voice wasn’t exactly a party-starter, but it was nice to watch a show without a sea of mobile phone cameras catching every moment.
The band and audience both seemed a little flat for the first hour or so. Even front man Jeff Tweedy asked the audience in all seriousness if they were alright. When one caring audience member asked if Tweedy was alright, he replied “not really”.
That didn’t stop brilliant renditions of Wilco classics like ‘I Am Trying To Break Your Heart’, ‘Handshake Drugs’ and a welcome appearance of ‘California Stars’ from ‘Mermaid Avenue Vol. 1’ - the first in a pair of albums done with Billy Bragg.
While their latest album ‘Wilco (The Album)’ might not go down as one of their all time classics, ‘You Never Know’ was a highlight of the show.
There were plenty of moments in the show where Wilco were good. Hell, they were better than good, they were REALLY good, but there were a key few moments where you shared a “moment” with Wilco.
The crowd’s singalong to ‘Jesus, etc’ was one of those moments, as was the beautifully deceptive ‘Via Chicago’, which perplexed the crowd with impeccably timed metal breakdowns from a couple of band members not once, not twice, but three times!
Two and a half hours is a marathon for all but the biggest of fans, but watching the encore of ‘The Late Greats’ (“the greatest last track of all time”) and ‘I’m On A Wheel’ from ‘A Ghost Is Born’ was still bringing excitement to my weary legs.
I didn’t “get” Wilco, until I saw them a few years back and then suddenly it clicked. I might be a latecomer, but I’ll be a long-stayer. Wilco loves me and I love Wilco.
The complete set list was:
Wilco (The Song) (from ‘Wilco (The Album)’ - 2009)
I Am Trying To Break Your Heart (from ‘Yankee Hotel Foxtrot’ - 2002)
One Wing (from ‘Wilco (The Album)’ - 2009)
Bull Black Nova (from ‘Wilco (The Album)’ - 2009)
You Are My Face(from ‘Sky Blue Sky’ - 2007)
Muzzle Of Bees (from ‘A Ghost Is Born’ - 2004)
I’ll Fight (from ‘Wilco (The Album)’ - 2009)
War on War (from ‘Yankee Hotel Foxtrot’ - 2002)
At Least That’s What You Said (from ‘A Ghost Is Born’ - 2004)
Country Disappeared (from ‘Wilco (The Album)’ - 2009)
Handshake Drugs (from ‘A Ghost Is Born’ - 2004)
Impossible Germany (from ‘Sky Blue Sky’ - 2007)
It’s Just That Simple (from ‘A.M.’ - 1995)
Box Full Of Letters (from ‘A.M.’ - 1995)
Via Chicago (from ‘Summerteeth’ - 1999)
Shot In The Arm (from ‘Summerteeth’ - 1999)
Jesus, Etc (from ‘Yankee Hotel Foxtrot’ - 2002)
Forget The Flowers (from ‘Being There’ - 1996)
California Stars (from ‘Mermaid Avenue’ - 1998)
Heavy Metal Drummer (from ‘Yankee Hotel Foxtrot’ - 2002)
Can’t Stand It (from ‘Summerteeth’ - 1999)
You Never Know (from ‘Wilco (The Album)’ - 2009)
Theologians (from ‘A Ghost Is Born’ - 2004)
I’m The Man That Loves You (from ‘Yankee Hotel Foxtrot’ - 2002)
Monday (from ‘Being There’ - 1996)
Outtasite (Outta Mind) (from ‘Being There’ - 1996)
Late Greats (from ‘A Ghost Is Born’ - 2004)
I’m A Wheel (from ‘A Ghost Is Born’ - 2004)
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