Wilco rocks Bozeman; student recital

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

By Aaron Davis

There’s nothing like seeing a big rock show in a venue the band outgrew years ago. My first live Wilco experience - May 4 at the Emerson Cultural Center in Bozeman, Mont. - earned a solid benchmark in my book of rockin’ concert experiences.

At first glance, there’s nothing special about the Emerson Center, except that its facade is old school … literally. The building was built in 1918 as an elementary school and functioned as so until 1991, when it was converted to an art center/venue/studio space. There was a certain vibe about the place, though, and the band knew it would be the smallest room on the tour.

Frontman Jeff Tweedy & Co. kicked it off with a mellow “Sunken Treasure,” followed by a harmony rich “You Are My Face” that notched the intensity level that would never dip below par. There aren’t many bands that can control their stage volume from seemingly out-of-control punk rock sound to a whisper-sweet, acoustic guitar touch. This is where Wilco shines - their knack for arranging folk songs into experimental rockers can’t be compared.

Their classic, “I am Trying to Break Your Heart,” pleased the crowd until the ear-bleeding ending, where half the place covered their ears. More than half of their most accessible album, “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot,” would get the treatment before night’s end. These included the timely “War on War,” “Jesus, etc.,” “Heavy Metal Drummer” and a ripping version of “Pot Kettle Black,” in which Tweedy took his turn as lead guitarist.

Considered alt-country in their early quartet days, Wilco has evolved through the years into a downbeat, singer-songwriter rock sextet. Having multi-instrumentalist and harmony singer Pat Sansone enables the band to have either three guitarists or two keyboardists at any given moment. It’s evident, though, that lead guitarist Nels Cline defines much of the melodic and abstract end of the spectrum. This guy just freakin’ rocks, and he has the stage spasms to electrify the crowd into a comparable frenzy.

Wilco is all about Tweedy, though. Appearing onstage in full denim and a short-billed cowboy hat, the 40-year old bandleader is now sober and in his prime. Even aside from being apart of highly influential, alt-country group Uncle Tupelo, the strides that Wilco has made since forming in 1994 are impressive. And the current lineup seems to fit like a glove.

Tweedy is arguably the most notable songwriter of his generation, but this show proved his compatibility for the stage. Unlike a lot of songwriters, you can tell he has a natural penchant for poetry (check out his book of poems, “Adult Head”). His lyrics are down-to-earth, heartfelt and, at times, inquisitively unorthodox.

Wilco’s hour and a half set closed with the catchy, pop-fused “Walkin’” and a climaxing “I’m the Man that Loves You.” Of course they came out for an encore, two in fact, which surprised the crowd with another full hour. Tweedy assured the crowd that this was “infrequent.” The encores included two of my favorites - the Woody Guthrie/Wilco collaboration “California Stars,” and “Kingpin.”

By the way, opening band Retribution Gospel Choir is worth looking into as well. The trio from Duluth, Minn., had an interesting sound steeped in distortion and delay with Weezer-esque vocal melodies.

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Your chance to check out some of Jackson’s young rock stars is near. Jackson Hole Music Experience’s Spring Student Recital is 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 18, in the Center for the Arts Theatre. The sixth annual event will feature 45 area students representing 15 private instructors.

“This event is the heart and soul of what JHME is about,” said organizer Ed Domer. “The theatre is a huge element, giving these young kids an opportunity to perform on this stage.”

Performers will include school age students of piano, cello, guitar, bass, drums, percussion and vocal representing private instructors from the community. Two rock bands will take the stage, including Rotating Super Structure, a group of high school juniors.

“[Rotating Super Structure] is the benchmark to show parents and the community the benefits of private music instruction,” Domer said. “Private music teachers have little visibility in the community, so thisone event where music teachers get to communicate with one another and the public. Private teachers are an important aspect of music education in Jackson.”

Tickets for the Spring Student Recital will be $10 for adults, $5 for students, free for children under 12 and JHME members. JHME memberships are available at the door. For more information, visit www.jhme.org or call 733-3970.

Photo by AARON DAVIS
Jeff Tweedy of Wilco performing in Bozeman, MT.


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Wilco rocks Bozeman; student recital | Planet JH News Article: Music Box

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