Gig: Wilco

Wilco Fourteen years into a career that has seen upheaval, growth, and triumph, acclaimed double-Grammy winners WILCO are to visit New Zealand in March; and following their appearance at the Bluesfest in Whitianga, will perform headline shows in Auckland and Wellington. Formed in 1992 by Jeff Tweedy following the dissolution of his pioneering alt-country group Uncle Tupelo, Wilco have released six studio albums; a double live set; collaborated with Billy Bragg on an album (and a half) of Woody Guthrie compositions; been the subject of the documentary I Am Trying To Break Your Heart (which charted the creation of an album rejected by their record company but would be Wilco’s best-selling album worldwide); and published their own book of writing and artworks. Wilco’s stylistic diversity has seen them called the “American Radiohead”, and the evolving band has never stayed static. Now, with the line-up that debuted on the Kicking Television: Live In Chicago album, Wilco has reached the pinnacle of their ensemble powers. According to Jeff Tweedy, “I’ve definitely felt inspired by all of the musicians I’ve been able to play with in Wilco, but in terms of finding a perfect scenario of living with and interacting with a band – on the road, and in the studio – this is a new feeling for me. If we all lived together, it would be like the Monkees.” Wilco don’t necessarily roll down the street on oversized beds, but John Stirratt, Tweedy’s right-hand bass man since the days of Uncle Tupelo, believes the current line-up is the epitome of Wilco, defining the essence of what the band was always intended to be. On Sky Blue Sky (a New Zealand Top 40 album in 2007, and a nominee for the 2008 Grammy Awards), it’s not difficult to hear what he means: the guitar wizardry of celebrated experimentalist and guitar innovator Nels Cline, the beats and glockenspiel of Glenn Kotche; and the colours and shades of multi instrumentalists Pat Sansone and Mikael Jorgensen, means this is the most engaged and direct Wilco have appeared since Being There. With many of the tour’s Australian shows already sold out, it is advisable to get in quickly for Wilco’s Auckland and Wellington shows to ensure tickets and avoid disappointment. WILCO WHEN: Sunday 23rd March WHERE: Bruce Mason Centre, Auckland Tickets from Ticketmaster & Real Groovy WHEN: Monday 24th March WHERE: Opera House Wellington Tickets from Ticketek & Real Groovy For more information please contact: www.wilcoworld.net • www.myspace.com/wilco