It wasn’t long before I had my son back at the Barrowland again. We’d already packed a fair few gigs into 2019, but this time the attraction was Wilco, the Chicago band led by Jeff Tweedy and one of the most respected names in Americana and alternative rock.
Wilco are one of those bands that seem to get better the deeper you dive into their catalogue. Over the years they’ve evolved from their alt-country beginnings into something much harder to define, blending folk, rock, experimental sounds and outstanding musicianship into a body of work that’s earned them a fiercely loyal following. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a newcomer, their live shows have a reputation for delivering something special.
Before the main event we were treated to a set from OHMME. One of the things I enjoy most about getting to gigs early is discovering artists I might otherwise have missed, and OHMME were a perfect example. Their inventive songwriting and distinctive sound made them much more than a warm-up act, and they set the tone nicely for the evening ahead.
As for Wilco, they were everything you’d hope for. The Barrowland has hosted countless legendary performances over the years and Wilco felt completely at home beneath those famous stars. The musicianship throughout the set was exceptional, but one guitarist in particular caught our attention. My son’s verdict was that he was either a genius or completely wired. I suggested he was probably just feeling the music, maaaaan.
One of the pleasures of taking my son to gigs is hearing his take on things afterwards. He notices different details from me, often focusing on individual musicians or performances rather than the bigger picture. Sometimes I think I enjoy those conversations almost as much as the concerts themselves. He said the guitar player was ‘wired’.
The videos and photographs below capture some of the atmosphere from a memorable night at the Barrowland. If you’ve never seen Wilco live, they remain one of those bands that prove why live music still matters. And if you have seen them before, you’ll already know exactly what I mean.
I took a few clips on my mobile for Instagram viewers.
Let’s just hope my son doesn’t think you need a few lines to play guitar that good. I told him he was just feeling the music maaaaaan.
The Photos
Cheers!
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