It had been over 8 years since the last time I saw Wilco in Central Park. Back in June of ’03 they co-headlined there with Sonic Youth as part of their Yankee Hotel Foxtrot tour. I’ve seen them about a dozen times since and they have steadily evolved into one of the best live acts on the touring circuit (imo). I went back for more on Friday night (9/23).
It was drizzling when I walked into the park, and in an effort to fit in as much as possible before it started pouring, they strolled out at 7 ‘o clock sharp. They opened with my two favorite tracks from the new record: “One Sunday Morning” and “Art of Almost.” These two songs showcased their ability to seamlessly switch gears between mellow soft-pop and electro-bending rock. The crowd reacted strongly to “Art of Almost” and I can only hope that the band will take this glitch-beat sound even further on their next album. Stream the album version of “Art of Almost” below. The rest of the review, more photos, the setlist and a link to download Wilco’s entire show from Night 1 after the jump…
The rain seemed to keep a lot of people at home, which was great for the crowd that came out. This meant no lines for beer or bathrooms and easy access to get relatively close to the stage. I’ll take a little rain in exchange for these perks any time. The rest of the show was a barrage of Wilco tunes new and old which included something off of every one of their albums. Standouts included a reworked version of “Pot Kettle Black”, an inspired take on “A Shot in the Arm” and a long time favorite “I Got You (At the End of the Century)” to end the show.
Nels Cline guitar work was incredible all night and took various incarnations: pedal steel, shredding/head-banging power chords, intricate solos and full-on experimental jazz. Jeff Tweedy’s banter was limited but still the best in the biz: “Manhattan is so adorbs.” When fans busted out a couple hundred glowrings during “Heavy Metal Drummer”, he responded with “Really? Really? Glow sticks? Has it come to that? OK, I want all the glow sticks up here.” He regretted that last part as the band was pelted with them throughout the next tune. He also paid respects to September 11th by saying some kind words about NYC and played “a song that a lot of people thought was about September 11th or at least adopted as a song about that day”…he was referring to “Jesus Etc.” from Yankee Hotel Foxtrot which was originally due to be released on day, “until our label dropped us.”
Wilco’s new album “The Whole Love” will be released in the US tomorrow, so buy it here or at your local record store.
NYC Taper recorded the show from the night before which you can stream, download and read about here.
Wilco set list: 9/23/11 – Central Park, Rumsey Playfield
“One Sunday Morning (Song for Jane Smiley’s Boyfriend)”
“Art Of Almost”
” I Might”
“Poor Places”
“Bull Black Nova”
“I Am Trying To Break Your Heart”
“Pot Kettle Black”
“Impossible Germany”
“Black Moon”
“California Stars”
“Born Alone”
“Handshake Drugs”
“Heavy Metal Drummer”
“Whole Love”
“Standing O”
“Passenger Side”
“Dawned On Me”
“A Shot in the Arm”
Encore:
“Misunderstood”
“Jesus, Etc.”
“Walken”
“I’m the Man Who Loves You”
“Red-Eyed And Blue”
“I Got You (At The End Of The Century)”
