There’s something about a band you’ve seen so many times that you don’t care where you stand. That you don’t care what you hear. That you don’t care who you’re with (though in this case, Kim, Jeff, and the Craig are all good company). It’s something special, and for me, that band has become Wilco.
Tonights show at McCarren Pool was a stellar performance that is the equal to the Chinese Olympic Diving Team in terms of a band. These guys just flat out beat everyone else. Running through a bout of hits, from their catalog (songs from Being There, Summerteeth, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, A Ghost Is Born, and Sky BlueSky) along with the unbeatable August weather, put this show second in my favorite list of live Wilco shows.
McCarren Pool is slated for renovation after this season, and it’s a shame my first show there was just last week cause in that short time, I’ve not only become a believer, but a huge fan. The venue is unique enough to hold it’s own -there’s plenty to look at if you’re not watching the stage. The beer, provided by Brooklyn Lager means there’s a stand past every group of people you see. The place is so large that a sold out show like tonight sti
ll means not only that you won’t have trouble seeing, but that some guy that’s just too tall for society won’t block your view. The pool is ingenious because the gentle slope gives everyone a vantage point. Plus the bathrooms are easy to get to (albeit disgusting, but then, there has to be a little give and take). Also, the size means that taking use of all of the amenities doesn’t mean you’ll miss the music. You’re always in earshot. Combine that with beautiful weather and you’ve got a venue that’s
tough to beat.
Then you add Wilco. Freshly sounding in full touring mode and bringing the Total Pros around (for brass sound backing), and it leaves me very little to say. What am I gonna tell you that I had four beers and a half pack of cigarettes? Or that they played two encores but I knew it wouldn’t be close to over until we heard Heavy Metal Drummer? Or that Adam from Guster came over and we kid that unlike Motley Crue, Jeff Tweed
y was probably not under the stage during sets getting laid. Wilco is a tight band, having fun on a stage. Playing something for everyone (newcomers (kim) and veterans alike). Glenn Kotche is an amazing drummer. His standing during the second encore evicted massive cheers from the crowd like a sacrifice to music. Nels Clines guitar is a site to witness when contained, and Jeff is Jeff. But maybe more now since they’re comfortable with the new stuff (something lacking in the Hammerstein show).
The night was soemthing fun- which is what music is suppose d to be. I couldn’t believe, when it was all said and done that they’d played two hours, just like I can’t believe I missed my subway stop cause I was so excited writing this.
