Wilco @ The Factory Theatre,Sydney (2/05/10)

Thu 6th May, 2010 in Gig Reviews

The wait from November (when we all got our tickets) until May for Wilco was worth every 24 hours involved. For two nights in Sydney, Wilco proved once again thar they are one of the greatest bands to ever exist.

The State Theatre on Saturday night seemed to be the perfect alignment of the planets and stars to make it a party for the band and all attendees. Even though it took half the show to get the crowd out of their seats (with a little help from a hand clapping from Jeff Tweedy) the outcome was truly a scintillating rock and roll show.

With over 25 songs on display, Wilco took us through all their styles and left us sweaty and satiated with the uncompromising closure of I’m A Wheel. Knowing that night two was less than 24 hours away, the Wilco army left to continue a rollicking weekend in the streets of this fair city.

The second night in the smaller Factory Theatre in Marrickville was going to be exceptional. Even though Tweedy wore the same shirt and was questioned by the audience about his showering habits, everything else was different. The set-list was one for the ages if you are a Wilco fan. 24 of the 29 songs weren’t played the previous night and Tweedy and Nels Cline started the Wilco fireworks with an amazing Ashes Of American Flags. The solo alone from Mr. Cline was worth the price admission for both shows.

This ensemble seemed to be having the time of their lives in the relaxed nature that is always a Wilco show. It appears effortless. Handshake Drugs, At Least That’s What You Said, and the highlight of the first half, Sunken Treasure caused the room to break out into a roomful of teeth. Shiny eyes and smiles were all you could see as people swayed and some even danced to the perfect sound that filled the room in the Inner West. And here we stood only about an hour and a half through the show.

Pat Sansone was being playful and rocking whenever he picked up his electric guitar, Glenn Kotche was hammering the skins and John Stirrat on harmonies and bass was beaming. Mikael Jorgensen on keys had to duck from the vibrating Nels many a time and duck again when Cline pelted him with various objects.

The compulsory sing-a-long to Jesus, etc was charming. After that gleeful moment, the band went into rock n roll mode for the rest of the evening. Man Who Loves You had Jeff screaming for his life and his love and this was what we came for. Five of the last eight songs were from Being There which was released in 1996. This was not a concert for the Wilco newbies. This was for the faithful and the fans that have been there since A.M. came out in 1995.

Wilco have always worn their influences like Mardi Gras beads. They are bright and shiny and easy to make out. Pat Sansone and Cline went ballistic in a very ‘70s rock and roll away with a raucous guitar duel on Hoodoo Voodoo while Jeff looked on with a big smile. Thinking that would be the end they surprised us all by playing Kicking Television and closed with a big nod to their late godfather, Alex Chilton. The Big Star songs Thank You Friends and In The Street brought it all back home.

Wilco came to town and they conquered it once again. People were talking about the 2007 shows prior to this gig. Next time they come back, they will be talking about this evening at The Factory. Excellence was never so transcendent.