Mar 23, 2016

Tweedy @ Factory Theatre

I think Tuesday night at the Factory Theatre was a huge celebration of music. In fact a celebration of the musical career of Mr Jeff Tweedy. It was a great night, but also a very happy night. As happy and joyous a gig that I have been to in a very long time. Tweedy is the man but also the duo, or rather the father and son. Spencer is the talented son of Jeff and together they have released an excellent debut album. Now they tour together, fleshed out by two guitarists and a keyboard player. Spencer plays drums and was very good. But all eyes were on the greatness of Jeff. And he is very great indeed. And so was the night.

The early part of the show was the full band playing the 'Tweedy' songs. They were great actually, especially 'Diamond Light Pt. 1' which was quite epic and the sombre but beautiful 'Nobody Dies Anymore' They played the 'hit' 'Low Key' as Jeff put it sarcastically. Then he announced that he would go solo for a while 'playing some old songs'. Anticipation rose and we all smiled and sighed together. Just Jeff on acoustic playing some of his glorious back catalogue. As you can see by the set list below this was a special half hour or so. All of it great, with probably 'Via Chicago' the absolute stand out. But there was more to come. The band returned for an encore that was to be all covers. I knew having a peek at the Melbourne set list that hopefully a Bowie cover would surface. And it did. The totally glorious 'Five Years', which the band belted out with immaculate style. But then Jeff said 'let's do one more'. With huge excitement we were gifted 'Queen Bitch'. A totally stunning way to end a wonderful night of great music. Jeff Tweedy is truly a gem. His voice is classic and comfortable. But it's humanity that shines the most. He is engaging and engaged, funny and sarcastic. He reacts with the audience like few performers. With a quick wit and a big heart.

Set List
Hazel
Fake Fur Coat
Diamond Light Pt. 1
Flowering
Summer Noon
World Away
New Moon
High As Hello
Wait For Love
Love Like a Wire (Diane Izzo cover)
Low Key
Nobody Dies Anymore
Via Chicago (Wilco cover) (solo)
I Am Trying to Break Your Heart (Wilco cover) (solo)
Remember the Mountain Bed (Billy Bragg & Wilco cover) (solo)
Love Lost (Golden Smog cover) (solo)
New Madrid (Uncle Tupelo cover) (solo)
Please Tell My Brother (Golden Smog cover) (solo)
Hummingbird (Wilco cover) (solo)
Either Way (Wilco cover ) (solo)
Jesus, etc. (Wilco cover) (solo)
I'm the Man Who Loves You (Wilco cover) (solo)
A Shot in the Arm (Wilco cover) (solo)
Please Don't Let Me Be So Misunderstood
Only the Lord Knows (Mavis Staples cover)

The Losing End (Neil Young cover)
Give Back The Key to My Heart (Uncle Tupelo cover)
California Stars (Billy Bragg & Wilco cover)
Five Years (David Bowie cover)
Queen Bitch (David Bowie cover)

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