i was maimed by rock and roll

WILCO – Popejoy Hall, Albuquerque NM. 09 May 2008

I was late on the WILCO train. I admit it. I’m probably one of the few people that can say that they started listening to WILCO because they saw The Autumn Defense (John Stirratt and Pat Sansone’s side project) first. But that’s my history. I bought not only my first WILCO cd, but every WILCO cd in 2007 (exception: Mermaid Ave.) This wouldn’t all seem so unusual, had I not lived in the land of WILCO for over five years.

The problem with being a WILCO fan in Chicago? Everyone in Chicago is a WILCO fan. They play 5 night residencies, and every show sells out in seconds. When it was announced that they were going to play a show in my new / old home of Albuquerque, I was a little giddy. I was in a class when pre-sale tickets went on sale, so I relied on my husband to get the tickets. I figured he scored big when I saw the tickets were Orchestra Pit, Row B. I thought “Second row! Woohoo!” When we got to the venue, and the usher showed us our seats?

FIRST ROW! WOOHOO!!!!!!

The opening act was Retribution Gospel Choir. Their music was neither gospel, nor choir. They were kinda Deep Purple-meets Rush-meets pain in my ears. That’s all I have to say about that.

Then… WILCO.

I can’t give you a set list because quite honestly, I was too busy dancing around to even think about song names. This was easily one of the best, if not actually the best, rock concerts I have ever been to. And I’ve been to my share of concerts. I was right at the feet of the guitar genius Nels Cline.

That guy is so good it’s SICK.

But the whole band is good. That’s the thing. Yeah, it’s Tweedy’s show, but you can’t help but absorb it as a band, instead of little pieces. Like, when you see Ryan Adams, sure the Cardinals are good. But it’s all about Ryan Adams. This was pure WILCO.

Song highlights for me: Heavy Metal Drummer, Impossible Germany, Side With the Seeds, A Shot in the Arm, Pot Kettle Black, Handshake Drugs, Ashes of American Flags, Hate It Here.

Sadly for me, my über music crush, Pat Sansone was all the way over on the other side of the stage, leaving me to swoon from afar. Trying to take pictures of him is like trying to photograph a tornado.

All in all, it was a mind-blowing, incredible night. There was really no better way to see a band for the first time than in the front row, surrounded by complete die hard maniacs. Definitely, definitely, definitely go see them if you ever get the chance.

Full flickr set.