A few rain drops were falling as I walked into Merriweather (just in time to see slo-core pioneers "Low" walking off stage). When Wilco took the stage approximately 45 minutes later, the setting sun was starting to poke through the rain clouds. This was an appropriate metaphor for the evening, since Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy appeared comfortable and even a little playful. During the show Tweedy took time to discuss a macrame owl (telling the crowd he someday hoped to have an entire macrame stage), sing happy birthday, make a mocking reference to Wilco's label of "dad rock", and lightheartedly add a "Hello" after the crowd sung "Goodbye" near the end of "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart".
The first half of the Wilco set favored material from "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot", with "I Am Trying...", "Kamera", "War on War", "Jesus, etc." and "I'm the Man Who Loves You" sounding fresh. Tweedy seemed especially interested in "Hate It Here", a Beatles-esque song about a middle age divorcee keeping busy with menial tasks while hoping his lover will return. Wilco wrapped up their primary set with fan favorite "Hummingbird".
Wilco's first encore started with "California Stars" and transitioned to an impressive performance of "Poor Places". "Spiders (Kidsmoke)" followed as an extended jam session before the band walked off stage.
The residents of the Baltimore/DC area were treated with a five song second encore starting with the ever popular "Heavy Metal Drummer". Several older songs satisfied the long term fans, before Wilco wrapped up with the always fun "I'm a Wheel". As I picked up my blanket and started toward the exit, I was a bit surprised that the house lights weren't coming on. No longer had that thought gone through my mind as I saw Tweedy walking back on stage for a third encore. Tweedy thanked the crowd for a great night before starting into the band's current single "What Light" (http://www.myspace.com/wilco), an appropriately mellow nightcap to a night that started with raindrops and ended with a shining peformance.
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