Olympics: Wilco Play Vancouver Winter Games, but Not a 'Sporty Band'

Posted on Feb 13th 2010 11:30AM by Lonny Knapp
Comments

Chicago's Wilco are staging a free outdoor show in Vancouver on February 13th as part of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games Live City festivities.

Guitarist Nels Cline tells Spinner the band is looking forward to the Olympic celebrations, but admitted the members of Wilco are not what you'd describe as "sports fans."

"I know that Jeff [Tweedy] has tangential sports interests, and playing with a band from Chicago, there might be an interest in hockey, but I'm not sure that anyone will be following too assiduously. We are not a very sporty band," he said.

The Olympic performance is part of the so-called 'Tundra Tour.' With select American performances, and a total of thirteen Canadian dates, it is the band's most extensive Canadian tour in some years.

It seems like the band is committed to hitting every possible venue in support of its seventh studio album. After the 'Tundra Tour,' the band is scheduled for US datesbefore heading over to Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Sweden and Spain. Cline -- who joined in 2004 and is now part of the band's longest standing line-up -- said Wilco is "all about the road."

"Touring and playing live sustained the band before my time and that is what is going to continue to keep the band going. Being in Wilco means playing a whole bunch of towns I've never been to before," he says.

This jam-packed tour itinerary has fans wondering when Wilco will find time to work on the follow-up to its latest album. According to Cline, the band is itching to work on new material, but sessions were rescheduled when Jeff Tweedy signed on to produce a record for legendary Chicago singer Mavis Staples.

"We were supposed to start recording in January, but they needed extra time to do more recording," he said. "But I know that Jeff and the rest of the band desire to start working on new stuff right away."

As Wilco wind their way across the country, the band is sure to run into some frigid February weather. Cline, a native of sunny California, may be a stranger to sub-zero temperatures, but is encouraged by the people who inhabit these northern climes.

"Canadians aren't daunted by the weather. So I think I will survive that brutal walk from the bus to the venue," he joked.