There have been many bands through the years that have proudly represented Chicago and its unique sound. Jeff Tweedy and his little band that could, Wilco, is both a critic’s darling and perhaps one of the most underrated bands around. All of that might be changing though, as Tweedy and the boys take up residency for five sold-out nights at Chicago’s Riviera Theater. They appear to be on a mission to not only prove what a great live band they are, but to play every one of their 84 songs from their six studio albums, at least once.
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Wilco
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 Entertainment
 Art
Riviera Theater
Chicago, Ill.
February 19, 2008
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Opening the show tonight, the band came out swinging with two early tunes, 1996’s “Outtasite (Outta Mind)” and “I Must Be High,” from A.M., their 1995 debut album. Proving like the previous three shows, this was a beautiful night full of familiar radio friendly tunes, along with a sea of hidden gems of over a decade of songs. Tonight’s set list alone consists of 30 songs, if they didn’t accomplish the task of playing every studio song tonight, it’s only because they want to keep a few for tomorrow’s final performance.
“I’d like to thank everyone who come to all of the shows that allow us to live such wonderful lives,” Tweedy states glibly. Tonight’s show is not just for the fans in the audience to enjoy, but all of the shows are being broadcasted live for the less fortunate, live on 93XRT radio airwaves. Through the years, Wilco has provided an impressive catalog of work, in turn; they have created a strong fan base that most certainly has come out for multiple nights.
Speaking of fans, I hope they don’t all have the moral code like the girl and her friends I met in the VIP balcony. Surprisingly, I couldn’t find a writer wanting to cover the Wilco show, so I had to do double duty. So after I shot the beautiful photos for this review, I went back to VIP, where earlier I had placed my coat on one of the seats. However when I arrived a girl was not only sitting in my seat, but on my actual coat. When I inquired about wanting my seat, my coat was thrown at me and all her friends ganged up on me. It’s amazing how someone can look you in the face, clearly in the wrong and just not give a shit. Kudos to Peter and all of the Riviera Security who helped me to find another seat that was even better, but shame on you girl and all you friends. No worries, karma is a bitch and it will come back to bite you on the ass Sweetheart.
The Riviera Theater has a nice sized stage and is arguably my favorite venue in all of Chicago. But tonight it looked cramped trying to satisfy a six-piece band with a plethora of equipment. In turn, it made the stage look more like a little studio apartment, with little space to move. Yet, the band worked what they had and you could often see Tweedy smiling through the course of the evening.
It’s been a long road for a band that’s had a revolving door of line-ups through the years. But clearly, this line-up and the songs are making the fans get out of their seats and shake their white asses to their infectious grooves. Not a band you would often think would have that effect, but tonight was never more apparent than during "Spiders (Kidsmoke)" from their Ghost is Born album.
If you weren’t able to get tickets to any of these five shows then you missed out on history. I suspect a CD if not a DVD will spawn from these shows, perhaps then you will be able to get a taste of what it was like to actually have been here. Wilco may be good on album, but you have to see them live to get the full effect of a band we are proud to say is our own. The one thing about Tweedy and the rest of the band is they aren’t rock stars, they are musicians and you have to experience them live to get the full effect.
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