Wilco: Show Review - Keyspan Park Monday July 13, 2009

Wilco displayed why they may just be the most popular band in music today during their Monday night show at Keyspan Park baseball stadium in Coney Island. Not only did the crowd show them much love during the slinky, guitar-driven opener “Wilco (The Song)”, the band reassured its adoring fans that the feeling was completely mutual as they sang the words back to us, “Wilco, Wilco, Wilco will love you baby”. As Lead singer Jeff Tweedy kept stressing how good-looking an audience we all were, its no wonder the band is as popular as they are. The love fest really never stopped as the group moved through a wonderfully updated version of “I’m Always In Love” which now features a prominent guitar riff instead of the usual standout keyboard work. Wilco nodded to the sweet smell in the air and the smiles on everyone’s faces as they sang “The way things get, you get so high. Funny how we make new friends” during the classic “Can’t Stand It”. Lead guitarist Nels Cline reminded us why he is one of the best guitarists in rock and roll as he ripped through the solo section of “Impossible Germany”, straying far away from the recorded version from 2008s Sky Blue Sky. The band brought out some of the industry’s hottest stars during their extended eight song encore. First came Leslie Feist to lend her sweet vocals to the new duet “You and I” from the band’s latest release Wilco (The Album). She remained on stage as another popular friend emerged, this time it was Ed Droste from the indie rock group Grizzly Bear. Both guests lent vocals and percussion to the classic sing-a-long “California Stars” as well as the Lennon-esque “You Never Know”. As Feist and Droste exited the stage, things appeared to be winding down that is until all of Yo La Tengo appeared for the extended guitar-rocker “Spiders (Kidsmoke)”. Tonight was clearly a night for love and friends as Feist and Droste reemerged for the appropriate closer of “Hoodoo Voodoo”, penned just down the street on Mermaid Ave. by the legendary Woody Guthrie.

This review can also be seen over at http://www.relix.com/Features/Show_Reviews/Wilco,_Keyspan_Park,_Brooklyn,_NY_7%1013%1009_200907214066.html

Setlist:
01 “Wilco (The Song)”
02 “I Am Trying to Break Your Heart”
03 “Shot in the Arm”
04 “At Least That’s What You Said”
05 “Bull Black Nova”
06 “You Are My Face”
07 “One Wing”
08 “Handshake Drugs”
09 “Deeper Down”
10 “Impossible Germany”
11 “Jesus Etc.”
12 “Sonny Feeling”
13 “I’m Always in Love”
14 “Can’t Stand It”
15 “Hate it Here”
16 “Walken”
17 “I’m the Man Who Loves You”
18 “Hummingbird”
—-
19 “Heavy Metal Drummer”
20 “You And I” with Feist
21 “California Stars” with Feist and Ed of Grizzly Bear
22 “You Never Know” with Feist and Ed of Grizzly Bear
23 “Misunderstood”
24 “Spiders (Kidsmoke)” with Yo La Tengo
—-
25 “The Late Greats”
26 “Hoodoo Voodoo” with Feist and Ed of Grizzly Bear