A lot has changed for Wilco since they last played Richmond in 1997. In those days, the band was known as an up and coming alt-country act touring in support of their second album (and one of my favorites), “Being There”. With 13 years, a few lineup shakeups, a couple Grammys, and a best-of-decade kind of album behind them, the band returned as seasoned veterans with a sound that isn’t quite as easily summed up in one genre.

While a 1500 person crowd might have been a pretty big gig for the band in 1997, this time around it marked the smallest venue the band has played in quite some time. Between the small digs and the long absence, there was a frenzied demand for the show which sold out in all of about five minutes. Billed “An Evening With Wilco”, the band went sans opening act, barelling through a 3 hour long set much to the delight of the capacity crowd. The band ended up playing 36 songs, which works out to about one for every dollar of the ticket price; a bargain in my book. Sure beats an Itunes download.

Nels Cline’s red and black Fender Jazzmaster seems to have worn even more since the last time I saw the band, and after watching last night’s set, it is no wonder why. The band started with a set of several guitar heavy tunes including “Bull Black Nova”, “You are My Face”, “One Wing”, “Handshake Drugs”, and the never-ceasing-to-amaze-me “Impossible Germany” each showcasing Nel’s frantic assault on the guitar. It wasn’t all about rock and roll on this night however, as about half way through the evening, the band traded in the strobe lights for some vintage lamps and a living room style 8 song acoustic performance. This more intimate set was comprised of mainly pre-Ghost is Born tunes, with the exception of a much less out there take on “Spiders(Kidsmoke)”. The band also went deep into the vault with the Yankee Hotel Foxtrot demo “Not for Season” and a few Woody Guthrie Mermaid Avenue songs. The acoustic set was reminiscent of the Sunken Treasure DVD complete with overly talkative fans, and a not so happy Jeff Tweedy.

While most bands would be winding it down after two hours of playing, that wasn’t the case on Monday night. Those anxious for the band to “turn it up” got their wish. The band cranked up the volume (and the reverb) with ten more first class rock and roll tunes before winding it down with the Big Star cover “Thank You Friends” as a tribute to the recently departed Alex Chilton. The crowd still wanted more, but after a short but sweet encore of “Heavy Metal Drummer,” and the always-a-good-time “I’m a Wheel,” the band shut it down. Yeah there were a few songs I was hoping to hear (At Least That’s What She Said, Kamera, Hoodoo Voodoo in particular), but the fact that Wilco can leave so many great tunes on the table after a three hour set says a lot about the ever-growing songbook at their disposal.

A rock solid show from one of the best bands in the business, and thanks to Wilco’s unbelievably fan friendly recording policies, I was able to download the show and enjoy again. I guess Wilco really does love me after all.

Tracklist:

Wilco (The Song)
I am Trying to Break Your Heart
Bull Black Nova
You are my Face
One Wing
A Shot in the Arm
Shake it Off
I’ll Fight
Company in my Back
Handshake Drugs
Side with the Seeds
Deeper Down
Impossible Germany
Poor Places
Spiders(Kidsmoke)
She’s a Jar
Forget the Flowers
Someday Some Morning Sometime
Not for the Season
How to Fight Loneliness
California Stars
Passenger Side
Outtasite (Outta Mind)
Missunderstood
Can’t Stand It
Jesus Etc.
Ashes of American Flags
You Never Know
Hate it Here
Theologians
Walken
I’m the Man Who Loves You
Monday
Thank You Friends (Big Star Cover)

ENCORE:
Heavy Metal Drummer
I’m a Wheel