Concert review: Wilco at Crossroads KC at Grinders
Review by Richard Gintowt
Photos by Scott Spychalski
It seems like just the other day I was grumbling about great '90s bands that have been on a statistically predictable decline this decade (Weezer, Smashing Pumpkins ... you get the picture). But not Wilco. Not our precious, reinventing, lineup-changing, critic-pleasing, two-encore-playing Wilco. If you love Wilco, you go to every show. And you still eat it up every time Jeff Tweedy screams "Nuthin!" during "Misunderstood" and you still clamor for "Outtasite (Outta Mind)" during the second encore.
These days, the six-piece Chicago act continues to solidify its reputation as a well-oiled machine. The group ripped through 28 songs last night under the chilly moon at the Crossroads, opening with "Wilco (The Song)" and proving that they indeed loved us, baby.
If you've seen Wilco anytime in the past five years, last night's show wasn't anything radically different: Nels Cline still shreds, John Stirratt still bobs, Glenn Kotche still sweats, Mikael Jorgensen still hides, Pat Sansone still grooms, and Tweedy still screams in a sandblasted voice reminiscent of a kettle boiling over. Tweedy now has a shimmery swath of gray hair to match his delightfully grumpy dad face, and he shows more confidence than ever as a lead guitar player. The best moments came during songs like "Hate It Here" and "Kingpin," when the band's triumvirate of guitarists traded licks and harmonized solos (Pat getting the loudest applause when he matched Nels punch for punch during the signature solo out of "Kingpin").
Tweedy
Cline
And, true to form, Tweedy said absolutely nothing for the first six songs. He loosened up as he became familiar with his audience, though. A few gems:
(On how to get requests played) "It's simple, people. Elect a president, confer, decide what the most requested song is and submit your request in writing. Don't you know how a rock show works?"
"This goes out to President Stocking Cap, who ran a successful campaign on the 'Kingpin' platform."
"We come here often, you should know these songs."
(On opener Liam Finn) "Really a nice kid ... until he got that jacket"
Liam Finn and jacket
"So you guys will be back here soon to see Stryper?"
"Here are some more squash-colored, autumnal numbers."
(On "One By One") "Apparently the song where everyone talks. What's that? You want us to play it again?"
And overheard in the audience...
"I think this is the first show ever I've never been stoned at. Hang on, I gotta pee viciously."
Other pertinent topics discussed:
The likelihood of Cline being a cat person.
The amount of product (of lack thereof) involved in Pat's immaculate soft-rock coiffure.
Wilco will undoubtedly be back in the spring, playing another 28 songs and trading barbs with their audience of longtime friends and neighbors. And we'll be there too, because that's what we do when Wilco rolls through town.
Critic's Notebook: The crowd singalong of "Jesus, Etc." was a nice moment. It seems like that ol' trick always works, especially for those among us who are tempted to sing the first verse three times (Jeff helped out by mouthing the words). Of the new songs, "Bull Black Nova" and "One Wing" stood out - Tweedy seems to give the best performances of the songs he's the most proud of (and the ones where he can treat his electric guitar like a double-crossing ex).
Set list:
Wilco (The Song)
I Am Trying to Break Your Heart
Bull Black Nova
You Are My Face
One Wing
A Shot In the Arm
Radio Cure
Impossible Germany
At Least That's What You Said
One By One
I'll Fight
Handshake Drugs
Sonny Feeling
Hate It Here
Can't Stand It
Jesus, Etc.
Walken
I'm the Man Who Loves You
(Encore 1) Misunderstood
I'm Always in Love
You Never Know
California Stars
Kingpin
(Encore 2) The Late Greats
Monday
Outtasite (Outta Mind)
Hoodoo Voodoo
I Am A Wheel
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