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Wilco matched, and exceeded, its many reputations last Thursday night during a nearly two-and-a-half-hour long show at Rumsey Playfield in Central Park. As harbingers of “dad-rock”, those pushing forty were aplenty. Lead singer, and songwriter, Jeff Tweedy became increasingly chatty as the night progressed. But most importantly, the group’s idiosyncratic blend of country-soaked rock and avant-garde experimentalism sounded great. Their stage setup suggested theatrics—strobe lights and hanging, illuminated, tissues—but instead the band focused on its internal dynamics: loud, thrashing Nels Cline solos juxtaposed with perambulatory ballads. Predictably, their set featured the new record, The Whole Love, heavily. However old favorites reigned supreme with the crowd: “Hummingbird”, especially when Tweedy sang the Manhattan lyric (“in the deep chrome canyons of the loudest Manhattans”), and “Jesus, etc.”, in which the crowd carried the entire first verse by themselves.
Opener Nick Lowe was charming and melodic and self-deprecating. With a career practically symbiotic with Elvis Costello’s, or vice-versa, standards like “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding” and “Alison” were expected, and gladly received.
Wilco Setlist
Art Of Almost
I Might
Ashes of American Flags
I Am Trying to Break Your Heart
One Wing
Bull Black Nova
At Least That’s What You Said
One Sunday Morning (Song for Jane Smiley’s Boyfriend)
Shouldn’t Be Ashamed
Born Alone
She’s A Jar
Handshake Drugs
Standing O
Rising Red Lung
Impossible Germany
Dawned On Me
A Shot in the Arm
Hummingbird
Encore:
Via Chicago
Whole Love
War On War
Jesus, Etc.
I’m the Man Who Loves You
Monday
Outtasite (Outta Mind)
Nick Lowe:
Wilco:
