Wilco launches fall tour in Lincoln

Wilco is a band that defies convention.

The group rose from the ashes of Uncle Tupelo and has endured lineup changes, becoming a Grammy-winning Americana act over a more than two-decade career. From the solidly alternative-country sound of its earlier albums to almost jam-band-like songs like "Impossible Germany," Wilco appeals to an audience almost as varied as its musical offerings.

Led by original members Jeff Tweedy and John Stirratt, the band came back to Nebraska for the first time in a decade to usher in fall on a summerlike evening Sept. 22 in Lincoln.

Pinewood Bowl provided a leafy backdrop. All photos by Christopher Windle.

Though the weather certainly didn't feel like fall, Pinewood Bowl, with its leafy backdrop, was the perfect venue for a show on the first day of the season. Wilco used its environment to full effect, starting the concert with "Via Chicago," punctuated with moments of thunderous cacophony and lighting that resembled lightning. The song about dreams of murder off the superb "Summerteeth" was the beginning of a moody first half.

Wilco often leaned on deep album cuts in its shifting setlist. For every earlier staple like "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart" and "Misunderstood," it sprinkled in lesser-known tracks like "Side With the Seeds" off "Sky Blue Sky" and "Art of Almost" from "The Whole Love." The audience sang the better-known songs word for word.

Less Wilco depress the crowd, after the first 12 songs, Tweedy congratulated the audience for making it through. He assured them that the second half of the show would be more uplifting, "as long as you don't pay attention to the lyrics."

The alt-country "Forget the Flowers," was followed with the similarly jaunty "I'm Always in Love," then "Heavy Metal Drummer" and "I'm the Man Who Loves You" as they were meant to be heard, back to back, ala "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot."

Cline, drummer Glenn Kotche, Tweedy and Stirratt.

Tweedy is an almost stoic presence at the microphone, rarely without a guitar, or his hat. But Nils Cline was a flurry of activity on guitar, taking the lead on many tracks, especially those off later albums. Multi-instrumentalist Pat Sansone moved seamlessly from piano to guitar to banjo and more. Stirratt bopped on bass and provided the vocal harmonies that are a Wilco trademark.

While there were songs left unplayed, "War on War" and "Bull Black Nova" especially missed, Wilco proved it's no slouch. The band touched on nine of its 10 studio albums (only "Wilco (The Album)" wasn't represented), playing 26 songs and two encores. The first included a haunting "Jesus, Etc."; the second, the obligatory yet beautiful "California Stars" and a rousing "Outtasite (Outta Mind)."

Wilco connected with the audience on every level, encouraging cheers, sing-alongs and even boos. "We're from the land of Lincoln," Tweedy said. "And you live in Lincoln. Isn't that weird?"

To the crowd, it wasn't weird; it was just another chance to connect.