I have seen Wilco countless times over the years. The venerable Chicago band always putting on an excellent show. I even saw Tweedy a couple of years, the band headed by Jeff Tweedy and his son Spencer. Monday night though at the Metro Theatre I had the extreme pleasure of seeing the great man himself solo. It was truly solo too. Just Jeff Tweedy armed with a couple of acoustic guitars. For close on two hours he gave a superb performance. Amazing songs, great wit and comedic timing and that special voice that is warm and rich and full of humanity.

Mr Tweedy opened with the classic Wilco song 'Via Chicago' and the night was off and running. He would then proceed to weave and wander through his thirty years of stellar songwriting. Many Wilco songs, but he also gave some tunes from the band that preceded them in Uncle Tupelo. I especially loved 'New Madrid'. Hearing it live it really struck me just how beautiful the melody is. Also on the night were a couple of songs from the Billy Bragg collaboration and of course a number of songs from his two recent solo albums. Of these my particular favourite was 'Having Been Is No Way to Be'. Of the Wilco songs it was impossible not to love them all but special mention goes to 'Hummingbird' and 'Jesus, Etc.', the latter inducing a warm crowd singalong. If the music was sublime and unforgettable then the wit and banter of Jeff elevated the night even further. He is such a great storyteller, armed with an extremely dry wit. His stories of Uncle Tupelo and life on the road were especially welcome. Then the encore just blew me way. 'Misunderstood' (perhaps my favourite Wilco song) followed by the swooning beauty of the Uncle Tupelo classic 'Acuff-Rose'. A very special night in the hands of an American songwriting icon.

Set List
Via Chicago (Wilco song)
Bombs Above
Some Birds
I Am Trying to Break Your Heart (Wilco song)
New Madrid (Uncle Tupelo song)
I Know What It's Like
Hummingbird (Wilco song)
Lost Love
Guaranteed
Remember the Mountain Bed (Billy Bragg & Wilco cover)
Having Been Is No Way to Be
Jesus, Etc. (Wilco Song)
It Must Be Love (Labi Siffre cover)
I'm the Man Who Loves You (Wilco song)
Let's Go Rain
Impossible Germany (Wilco song)
Passenger Side (Wilco song)
California Stars (Billy Bragg & Wilco cover)

Misunderstood (Wilco song)
Acuff-Rose (Uncle Tupelo song)