Spring Break
Wilco rocks the Crossroads
Grant Snider
Issue date: 10/22/07 Section: Culture
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Thousands watched as fireworks capped a renowned rock act's performance at a new downtown venue. Sir Elton John was opening at the Sprint Center Saturday, Oct. 13.
John had his own fireworks display above the shiny new Sprint Center, while Wilco closed a stellar first season at the somewhat grittier venue of the Crossroads.
Though I loved singing "Crocodile Rock" in fourth grade music class, I opted to save $40 and see Wilco, a band not quite as far removed from their prime as John.
Formed in 1995, this Chicago sextet was alt-country before alt-country was coolÂ. Summerteeth and Yankee Hotel Foxtrot were Wilco's forays into experimental rock and noise pop. These albums cast them as indie rock untouchables.
With their May release of Sky Blue Sky, Wilco crafted an album dangerously resembling '70s "freedom rock."
Another Chicago native, Andrew Bird, opened the show with his dizzying blend of classical violin, electric guitar and bird-like whistling.
His extensive use of looping pedals and his overwhelming technical ability resulted in some complex songs - nearly all of which came out sounding slightly less brilliant than the recorded versions.
Wilco delivered a more visceral concert experience. Bird's stage props were limited to a stuffed sock monkey and spinning phonograph-like contraption. But Wilco's songs were accented by more colored, flashing lights than a DUI checkpoint.
As Jeff Tweedy dreamed about murder in "Via Chicago," violently-flashing white lights over crunching guitars interrupted the otherwise calm folk melody. Epileptic seizures ensued throughout the crowd.
Drummer Glenn Kotche's nimble cymbal splashes propelled songs like "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart." Kotche's Cub Scout uniform was drenched by the end of the show.
If his precise, powerful rhythms provided the sonic canvas, Tweedy's soulful vocals painted alternately surreal or plain air landscapes.
Meanwhile, guitar noise extraordinaire Nels Cline splattered little colored sound droplets.
John had his own fireworks display above the shiny new Sprint Center, while Wilco closed a stellar first season at the somewhat grittier venue of the Crossroads.
Though I loved singing "Crocodile Rock" in fourth grade music class, I opted to save $40 and see Wilco, a band not quite as far removed from their prime as John.
Formed in 1995, this Chicago sextet was alt-country before alt-country was coolÂ. Summerteeth and Yankee Hotel Foxtrot were Wilco's forays into experimental rock and noise pop. These albums cast them as indie rock untouchables.
With their May release of Sky Blue Sky, Wilco crafted an album dangerously resembling '70s "freedom rock."
Another Chicago native, Andrew Bird, opened the show with his dizzying blend of classical violin, electric guitar and bird-like whistling.
His extensive use of looping pedals and his overwhelming technical ability resulted in some complex songs - nearly all of which came out sounding slightly less brilliant than the recorded versions.
Wilco delivered a more visceral concert experience. Bird's stage props were limited to a stuffed sock monkey and spinning phonograph-like contraption. But Wilco's songs were accented by more colored, flashing lights than a DUI checkpoint.
As Jeff Tweedy dreamed about murder in "Via Chicago," violently-flashing white lights over crunching guitars interrupted the otherwise calm folk melody. Epileptic seizures ensued throughout the crowd.
Drummer Glenn Kotche's nimble cymbal splashes propelled songs like "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart." Kotche's Cub Scout uniform was drenched by the end of the show.
If his precise, powerful rhythms provided the sonic canvas, Tweedy's soulful vocals painted alternately surreal or plain air landscapes.
Meanwhile, guitar noise extraordinaire Nels Cline splattered little colored sound droplets.
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