AN Evening with wilco

Back in 2005, residents of Fort Wayne created a group called ‘Bring Wilco to Fort Wayne.’ The petition and flyers circulated all over the city in hopes of bringing the Chicago-based indie rock band here. Well, almost 20 years later Fort Wayne Wilco fans finally got their wish.

Hours before the doors were scheduled to open, die-hard Wilco fans were lined up outside The Clyde Theater, eagerly awaiting the first night of the “An Evening With Wilco” tour, sharing stories and bonding over their mutual love for music. As I walked up to the event, I heard guitar strumming and friendly singing, which was a telltale sign of the energy that Wilco brings to life in their fans. 

All while having no openers, Wilco still packed The Clyde Theater for a sold-out show with TWO sets of their eclectic music style. The band consists of Jeff Tweedy (vocals and guitar), Glenn Kotche (drums), Mikael Jorgensen (keys), John Stirratt (bass), Nels Cline (guitar), and Pat Sansone (backup vocals, guitar, and keys). Looking around the room I saw nothing but happy smiles and dancing couples, especially during their song “It’s Just That Simple,” from their 1995 A.M. album. It was hard not to enjoy the beautiful beat of this song, set against the amazing acoustics of the Clyde.

Wilco carried on the night with other hits such as “Hummingbird,” “California Stars” and “Heavy Metal Drummer.” My personal favorite from their two sets was “California Stars.” The beat behind this song made it feel like every person in the room was a leaf on a tree swinging back-and-forth to their rhythm. I’ve never had the opportunity to see Wilco before, but after this performance, I would without a doubt go again.

Ultimately I am nothing but excited to see the things Wilco will do on the rest of their tour. This is a band whose sound cannot be compared to anyone else. Their fans bring nothing but happt faces and a welcoming energy to their performances. While the band might not have a huge amount of stops on the tour, the two-set performances at each show make it so intimate and memorable to be able to be a part of one night. 

Photos and review by Lyra Dickens