"We've got a long program for you tonight," said Jeff Tweedy as the band wrapped up the final bars of "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart" at the finale concert of the Ninth Street Summerfest

Photos: Amy Burger

Ninth Street Summerfest, Columbia, MO

I am normally NOT lucky; but I got lucky last week. I heard the notes of one of my favorite Wilco songs as I stepped out of a shop in Columbia, Mo. My traveling companion insisted it was just a loud speaker, but straight ahead I could see Glenn Kotche's bobbing head keeping perfect rhythm with the notes I was hearing. Was I actually this lucky? Had the stars aligned for me on this sweaty September afternoon?

Hell yes they had! I stumbled upon Wilco's sound check and Jeff Tweedy was standing less than 10 feet in front of me; the perfect foreplay to a great night.

There are just some bands that are best live. The lyrics have more meaning, the performers are at home on stage and there are other revelers to help feed the vibe. Wilco is one of those bands for me. I am a fan through and through. Anyone who knows me will tell you this. But this week I did not need my bias. The boys from Chicago proved why they are one of the best bands on the road.

"We've got a long program for you tonight," said Jeff Tweedy as the band wrapped up the final bars of "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart" at the finale concert of the Ninth Street Summerfest; and he wasn't lying. Playing on the street outside of the famed Blue Note, Wilco cranked out songs from their long catalog and entertained a large crowd under the stars for several hours.

The show kicked off with one of the strongest songs on Sky Blue Sky, Wilco's 2007 studio release, "You Are My Face." This exquisitely composed song was boosted by the intensity of watching Wilco come together on-stage. The songs from Sky Blue Sky were meant to be played live. But the band played one of their best sets with songs from every studio album and some gems from the Billy Bragg days.

During the packed set, fan favorites such as Too Far Apart, Shot in the Arm, Jesus, Etc. and Via Chicago were welcomed. Other newer songs such as Hate it Here and Side with the Seeds translated so well, maintaining the energy and suspense felt in the studio recording.

The band was a little nostalgic that night. Playing in Columbia, so close to the roots of Wilco, is something that must feel like home to Tweedy and Stirrat. Showing gratitude, the band paused to give thanks to long-time Columbia entertainment guru Richard King, owner of the Blue Note and Mojo's, the man responsible for giving anxious college kids their rock-n-roll fix year after year.

Tweedy's father was also in the audience that night, so I had a feeling we were going to get some great early songs and I was right. During the two full encores, the crowd was treated to I Got You, Casino Queen, Outta Sight Outta Mind and Passenger Side. The show wrapped with Spiders, in my opinion one of the weirdest Wilco songs, but with the buzzing guitar, it was the perfect end to a perfect show.

I've seen a few iterations of Wilco. But there is nothing like watching this band play together. I love watching Kotche on the drums. It could be easy to ignore him, but his stage presence demands more. I have been lucky to also see Nels Kline play with Wilco four times, and each and every time I am awed by his powerful sound. And it wouldn't be a Wilco show without the constant presence of John Stirrat. He might secretly be my favorite bit of Wilco. Mixed with Tweedy, Mikael Jorgensen and Pat Sansone - this is one of the tightest bands in rock right now.

It was obvious that these guys have been on the road all summer. And they're not finished. Having already visited three continents in support of Sky Blue Sky, Wilco heads back to Europe next month to finish up the tour with stops in the UK, Spain and Belgium.

This was a tremendous show. A great night in a great town with friends - the way Wilco is meant to be enjoyed. | Raymee Holshouser

Set List

You Are My Face

I Am Trying to Break Your Heart

Pot Kettle Black

War on War

Handshake Drugs

Side with the Seeds

Shot in the Arm

Impossible Germany

Sky Blue Sky

Too Far Apart

Jesus, Etc.

Walken

The Man Who Loves You

Via Chicago

Echo

Encore:

Hate it Here

Nora Lee

Heavy Metal Drummer

California Stars

Encore 2:

What Light

Red-Eyed Blue

I Got You

Casino Queen

Outta Sight Outta Mind

Passenger Side

Spiders