Earlier this month Wilco released their stunning 11th studio album Ode to Joy (via their own dBpm Records) and kicked off a massive world tour shortly after the release. On those string of dates were not one, but two stops in New York City with one night at Radio City Music Hall and a second night at the much, much smaller Brooklyn Steel. This marked the band’s first visit back to New York since 2017’s run at the Beacon Theatre and Kings Theatre back in 2016 (also a quick one-off performance at Rough Trade) so excitement levels were high, to say the least. We were there for the second of these two nights to catch their set at Brooklyn Steel along with opener Daughter of Swords.
Kicking things off for the night was Daughter of Swords, the project from Alexandra Sauser-Monnig, who also happens to be in the band Mountain Man. She performed with just her and her guitar and still left everyone inside the venue captivated from start to finish. She performed songs off her beautiful debut album Dawnbreaker which was released this past summer (via Bella Union) including one of the years best songs, “Gem.” Her set was on the shorter side but left the audience wanting more which is always good. If you missed your chance to see her don’t fret, she’ll be back in New York opening up for Sylvan Esso at the Beacon Theatre next month!
Wilco was very smart to wait and release their album at the beginning of fall with the cooler months of fall and winter approaching fast. With the shifting of the seasons brings many things, and Ode to Joy feels like the perfect soundtrack to these shifting seasonal changes. The album is subtle with its approach, yet quietly lush and full of textures we haven’t heard from the band in some time and is the perfect companion to a cool, autumn morning or afternoon. It’s quieter overall sonic landscape is executed brilliantly by a more subdued but nuanced Glenn Kotche and Nels Cline, with Mikael Jorgensen and Pat Sansone filing the backgrounds out with distortion and noise. Now more than ever we’re also hearing John Stirrat’s bass louder in the mix, but hearing that upfront and center with Kotche’s drumming puts the focus all on the rhythm section for these newer songs.
The staggering 29-song set catered more towards some of the quieter of Wilco tunes, but that’s not a bad thing at all. Keeping the vibe of Ode to Joy present throughout most of the set was a smart move because this made the louder moments feel LOUD. Any and all of the songs were the band was showing restraint were thrown out the window on classic tunes such as Summerteeth epic “Via Chicago”,  Ode to Joy guitar-freakout “We Were Lucky, and Star Wars fan favorite “Random Name Generator.” I’ve also seen the band perform the Sky Blue Sky set staple, “Impossible Germany” many times but the version played at Brooklyn Steel was next-level so much so that it was the longest applause I’ve seen for the solo and song, nearly close to a full minute of explosive applause. Don’t believe me? You can hear the whole show, including this moment thanks to our friends over at NYC Taper here. Can we also take a moment to appreciate the ever-evolving live version of “Laminated Cat” that the band continues to keep playing? This was hands down the best version I’ve ever heard them play with an insane experimental jam outro that could have gone on for 10 more minutes  (and I would have been okay with that). You can also watch that along with the whole show over on their YouTube (while it lasts) here.
Some other clear standouts from the set included Ode to Joy singles “Everyone Hides” and “Love is Everywhere.” These songs are quintessential classic Wilco songs that sound right at home amongst the other massive hits in the band’s repertoire, which only proves their staying power for years to come. Where the set also shined is in the bands unique ability to string together song after song that feels like 4 songs can be one. No matter how many times I’ve seen the band, the face-melting “Red-Eyed and Blue” segueing directly into “I Got You (At the End of the Century)” and ending with “Outtasite (Outta Mind)” will never, ever get old. Getting to see Pat shred as he does during those songs is also always so much fun to see.
What’s also scary to think is that Wilco has only played a handful of dates in 2019 so far, and they were firing on all cylinders with sounding just as tight as they ever have this early on in their world tour. They’ll be on tour until early 2020 (…for now…) with all roads headed to their 4-day festival in Mexico so if you can, do yourself and go see this tour because you won’t be sorry. Let’s also hope they make a return to New York City next year because if it happens, you know where we’ll be.
Find a full gallery from opener Daughter of Swords as well as a full gallery + setlist from Wilco below.
Daughter of Swords:
Wilco:
Wilco setlist:
1. Bright Leaves
2. Before Us
3. Company in My Back
4. War on War
5. One and a Half Stars
6. Handshake Drugs
7. You and I
8. Hummingbird
9. Someone to Lose
10. White Wooden Cross
11. Via Chicago
12. Laminated Cat [Loose Fur cover]
13. Random Name Generator
14. On and On and On
15. We Were Lucky
16. Love Is Everywhere (Beware)
17. Impossible Germany
18. Box Full of Letters
19. Everyone Hides
20. I’m Always in Love
21. Heavy Metal Drummer
22. I’m the Man Who Loves You
23. Hold Me Anyway
24. Misunderstood
Encore:
25. An Empty Corner
26. Red-Eyed and Blue
27. I Got You (At the End of the Century)
28. Outtasite (Outta Mind)
29. I’m a Wheel
Join the conversation