I had only heard Jeff Tweedy play two different acoustic sets of Wilco classics before finally getting to hear the whole band in action last week. During the sold-out show at The Anthem, Jeff Tweedy seemed to keep his audience interaction at a minimum, hiding his curls beneath his low, black beanie. I don’t think this was out of callousness, but because they had a lot of songs to get through during the two-hour set. Wilco surprisingly played more of their classics than they did from their latest album, which is their 11th album, and hopefully not their last.
Singer-songwriter, Jeff Tweedy, has a knack for creating songs that envelop feelings of longing, all of which the audience knew, felt, and sang along. This show was a seated show, which is fitting for the heavy atmosphere that Wilco’s music can provide, but the audience was out of their seats swaying and singing more than they were sitting. The plush chairs soaked up their sound nicely.
The band sounded incredibly strong for having taken a two-year break. Wilco brought to The Anthem what they’re best known for: genre-bending alt-country, folk-rock, and indie tunes for their eager fans. They did not disappoint. Wilco’s diverse setlist at The Anthem included the following (check ’em out!):
- Bright Leaves
- Before Us
- I Am Trying to Break Your Heart
- War on War
- One and a Half Stars
- If I Ever Was a Child
- Handshake Drugs
- At Least That’s What You Said
- Hummingbird
- White Wooden Cross
- Via Chicago
- Bull Black Nova
- Random Name Generator
- Reservations
- We Were Lucky
- Love Is Everywhere (Beware)
- Impossible Germany
- Forget the Flowers
- Box Full of Letters
- Everyone Hides
- Jesus, Etc.
- Theologians
- I’m the Man Who Loves You
- Hold Me Anyway
- Misunderstood
