Anyone who attended Wilco’s show at Auckland’s Civic Theatre three years ago will tell you they witnessed something special. Now, after recording their latest album, The Whole Love, at Neil Finn’s Roundhead Studios, Wilco returns for two New Zealand shows. And with Mavis Staples added to the bill, these shows promise to overshadow the band’s previous triumphs in New Zealand.
Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy has spent the last few months in the studio with Mavis, producing her latest album, titled One True Vine. This is the second time Tweedy has produced Mavis and they have developed a bond that is bound to spill over to this tour.
“I just might get crazy and hit something”, giggles Mavis when asked about her set. And with Tweedy lurking backstage there’s always the chance for a spontaneous duet. “We hook together from time to time; we make a good sound, too!” claims Mavis.
Meanwhile, on the verge of celebrating their 20th anniversary, Wilco is a band firing on all cylinders. The line-up has remained stable for almost a decade with guitarist Nels Cline honing his reputation as one of the most exciting guitarist around.
For those who have seen Wilco before, be prepared to hear something different. The band keeps a database of all the songs they perform at each show and according to Tweedy, “It’s a new set list every day. There’s a process and it’s basically looking at what we played the last time we were in town and scratching off about half of what we played the last time and replacing it with things we haven’t played in a long time or things we’ve never played in that town.”
This is Wilco’s first tour of the new year and you can bet the band is excited to hit the stage and make some noise. The six band members are never complacent, always ready to try something new. This is one band that likes to keep thing fresh and on the edge. And with Mavis Staples on the bill, there’s an even greater chance that something magical will happen when Wilco comes to New Zealand.
