Wilco Loves Macramé

Before last night, I had never seen Wilco live. I absolutely love their albums, and Yankee Hotel Foxtrot will forever be in my Top 10, but for some reason I always missed them. I imagined Jeff Tweedy to be sullen and intense, but instead he was energetic and charming and the perfect frontman for such an amazing band. He had funny stage banter, played patty cake with the guitarist and even brought down a macramé owl. I don't think I've ever seen a band that sounds this good live. Every single member of the band kills on their instruments. I mean, they are bad asses.


In John Roderick's Bonnaroo blog, he talked about how it was an amazing feat that Wilco could create such an intimate atmosphere at a festival of 80,000 people. But I think that's what a tight band like Wilco can do, that the hundreds of other bands cannot. Even in a big venue like Hammerstein Ballroom, where I often feel claustrophobic and think I might as well be home watching the band on TV, Wilco somehow make it seem like they're playing only for you.

The highlight of the set for me was "Hate It Here," which surprised me because it's definitely not one of my favorite Wilco songs, but they brought it to life. Other highlights include "I Am Trying To Break Your Heart," California Stars," "Via Chicago," "Poor Places" and "Jesus, Etc." Their set was pretty much comprised of Sky Blue Sky and Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, with was fine by me.

Pics via Muzikspy on Flickr.