I may never forgive Wilco for not coming to Philadelphia on their tour promoting Wilco (The Album), which was just released last Tuesday. Sure, it’s a minor league baseball stadium tour – but what’s wrong with Camden’s stadium? Why can’t things be like they used to be when you played at Festival Pier?
But, like the any subservient partner in a one-sided relationship, I gave in and travelled to Wilmington, Delaware’s Frawley Stadium to catch the band’s set on an ideal Friday night.
Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley band opened the night with a folky, classic rock infused set that wrapped up before the sun went down. Bright Eyes detractors would be wise to give Oberst’s most recent project a fresh listen – the band’s sound is surprisingly confident and tight. The group was at it best on bluesy folk romps, stomps and honks like “NYC – Gone, Gone” off the group’s first album, Conor Oberst.
Oberst took a back seat on a few songs to let band members take over lead vocals, yet it was clear he’s the ringleader of the six-piece group. During his own songs – and songs featuring other band members – Oberst organized and orchestrated, cuing various solos and vocal breaks throughout the set.
The band had a full sound, but with way too much bass. Many mid-range organ and acoustic guitar solos were lost to the drones and thumps for much of the set. In fairness, it’s got to be tough to get a good sound directly in front of the stage and hundreds of yards away in the stadium’s bleacher seating. Wilco’s set had the opposite problem – it could have been a lot louder.
