On July 3, 2009 Wilco played Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado. A beautiful venue with giant, jutting sharp stones and a killer view; people of all ages milled about waiting to get inside. After their Pabst Blue Ribbon cans and assorted other containers were discarded—they filed in rather quietly entering the security check for the venue.
My boyfriend got in with a canteen of water, but most people purchased drinks in clear plastic cups from the concession stands. Some beer was being drank, but water and wine seemed to be the most dominant beverages.
We were getting our seats and had a near-fracas with two generously proportioned people from Iowa over bench space (although we had reserved seats), however, no shoving ensued while the Wilco boys launched into their theme song off of their latest disc The Album. Moral of the story so far: You can put lipstick on a pit bull, but it will still try to squat on your reserved seats.
The band played, "I am trying to break your heart" from 2002's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. The tune had that slow build up that leads to a near-crescendo that escorted the listener into the meat of the song.
I tried to yell stuff and sing along, but I just did not pick up a head of steam until John Stirratt came up front and sang "It's Just That Simple" on the acoustic guitar.Then I was prompted by some unseen force to yell, "Go John go!" because I knew no one else nearby would attempt to dare.
The whole band are talented musicians. Jeff Tweedy executed amazing guitar feats that night, and by no means under looked, Nels Cline did the same with forced humility and a sense of real purpose. Pat Sansone cooked on the keyboards and other instruments and Mikael Jorgenson noodled like a veteran expert who knew something we didn't know. Glen Kotche ruled on the skins as did John Stirratt on guitar. Glen even held up his sticks in the air with his arms straight in an almost emulation of the quintessential rock drummer.
Article comments
1 - Phillip Winn
I saw Wilco in Dallas last year, and it was fantastic. There were some odd things about the evening as well: One woman had a seizure, I believe, and her brother (?) was quite angry about it.
Still, I remember the music. The beautiful, precise (just as you say), perfect music. So haunting and rugged, so passion-filled and clean. So amazing!
2 - Jane Ripley
I feel for them. That must have been very difficult to attend a show and have that happen.
The music is perfect. It's amazing this band has that edgy thing going on. They remind me of a million bands all rolled together in one. It's almost odd really.