Wilco + Nick Lowe @ Metropolis

Sunday, September 18th, Wilco arrived at Metropolis with the redoubtable Nick Lowe to promote The Whole Love, Wilco's newest album. Wilco, an alternative band with country and rock influences and a line-up that has changed frequently over the years, have among their many accomplishments a couple of Grammys to their credit from back in 2005 for the album "A Ghost is Born," including Best Alternative Album. Most notably they collaborated on the Mermaid Avenue sessions with Billy Bragg, which was a recording of unpublished Woody Guthrie tunes; it resulted in two critically acclaimed albums. Although the making of the albums proved to be rancorous, the critics raved.

The show kicked off in brilliant fashion with a seven minute number called "Art Of Almost," which is also the opening track from their new album. Psychedelic keyboard sounds from multi-instrumentalists Mikael Jorgensen and Pat Sansone helped gather the crowd but it was soaring guitar from Nels Cline that was integral to the tune and the evening as he played his ass off all night long! Bassist John Stirratt was busy doing yeoman like work all night long as well as back-up vocals, and vocalist/guitarist Jeff Tweedy was stellar. The faithful had cause to be happy.

From there they segued into another tune from the new album called "I Might," a Nick Lowe cover. It took things down half a notch with a simpler, but still driving beat as the audience rocked back and forth as confidently as the band. A good night was at hand. There was a change of pace with a pair of poignant tunes from the somewhat controversial 2002 album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot; they played "Ashes of American Flags" and "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart", both of which show that show Jeff Tweedy’s versatility as a song-writer and vocalist. Smartly written and played tunes are the band’s trademark, and they held fast to that.

Halfway through the show, Jeff Tweedy even took the time to acknowledge the audience’s patience with all the new tunes. It was an endearing gesture from a band that displayed confidence throughout the evening, but it was unnecessary; the audience was mostly made up of devotees who were thrilled to get a first listen to the new tunes, and then sang along to old favourites as well. They had to have been happy with the response to the eight tracks they chose to showcase. 

There was a six song encore at the end of it all – again, a mix of old and new tunes - and the evening wrapped up in a way that left the concert goers satisfied and happy. This is a rightly self-assured band with an extensive repertoire; they had the room in their grasp and they made sure they stayed put.

I don't want to forget 62 year old Nick Lowe. He did a great job of kicking things off. Walking onstage unceremoniously at 8 o’clock sharp with his silver mane and horn rimmed glasses, he picked up the guitar and by playing an assortment of ballads and old hits ("Cruel to be Kind," "What’s So Funny About Peace, Love and Understanding") he warmed the audience up properly and left me wanting much more.

A set list for the whole show can be found here.

-Karl Knox hosts New Media and Politics every Monday-Friday from 8-10am