Wilco - Lupos Heartbreak Hotel, Providence RI 4/4/2010

Wilco
Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Billed as "An Evening with.." so no opening act.

Where does one even really begin? 15 years as a band Wilco still refuse to rely on being just a brand and are slowly creeping in to the collective conscience of the mainstream. The Chicago band put forth what many report as being 3+ hours of music. That is VERY close to being correct. Actually 2hrs and 55 minutes of music/spaces between songs/banter. By all counts 35+ songs were played touching on all the bands studio releases.

Taking the stage about 8:15 the band launched in to the title track of the new album simply called "Wilco (the Song)" (the album is called "Wilco - The Album after all). The guys, who really just look like your quirky neighbor hardly slowed down the whole evening.

Guitarist Nels Cline continues to impress, and wow new and old fans. He absolutely shredded on his guitar just beating it to a pulp but always maintaining such a terrific sound. Bassist John Stirratt held down such great bass lines and wonderful harmonies to lead singer Jeff Tweedy all night.

Tweedy, the bands front man is a wonderful storyteller and I looked forward to his banter, but he kept me waiting. It seemed like we were a full 30+ minutes in to the show before he said more than just "hi" to use (or thank you). He was very humble with the thunderous roar given nearly constantly from the sell out crowd. He talked how he disliked Easter so much but wasn't sure why he didn't like it. He'd come back to that from time to time mostly asking us if we were having fun.

The band shifted gears for an "acoustic" set in the middle. Most shows/bands would give you 3-4 song TOPS but Wilco gave us 7. It was met on both ends with great electric songs. The band really didn't slow down all night. It actually kept getting me to look at my watch and say "how long can they keep doing this?"

The main set ended and since they had been at it for 2hrs and 30 minutes or so I figured it was going to be a "thank you..good night" no encore sort of deal, but I was wrong. Coming back out and doing three more songs the band seemed like they could go on forever.

The band seems to be slowly creeping out of the shadows over the last few years. Audiences are bigger, but all the more ravenous and the band feeds off that energy. They are honestly one of the best live bands you could possibly see.

Check out the final few US dates here.
Oh, I saw them a few years ago and dug em that night too. The review for that show is here.

The full set if you are in to such things:
Wilco (The Song)
Bull Black Nova
You Are My Face
I Am Trying To Break Your Heart
One Wing
Radio Cure
Sonny Feeling
Summer Teeth
Misunderstood
She's A Jar
Handshake Drugs
Impossible Germany
California Stars
Poor Places ->
--
(Acoustic Set)
Spiders (Kidsmoke)
What's The World Got In Store
Forget The Flowers
Heavy Metal Drummer
Not For The Season
Passenger Side
Airline To Heaven->
(End Acoustic Set)
--
Shot In The Arm
Jesus, etc.
You Never Know
I'm Always In Love
Hate It Here
Easter Party (improvised joke song for Easter)
Theologians
Too Far Apart
Walken
I'm The Man Who Loves You
Red Eyed And Blue->
I Got You
Thank You Friends (Big Star Cover)
--
Dreamer In My Dreams
Casino Queen
Outtasite (Outtamind)