I was at that show too and was also very impressed with the setting and crowd – very cool to see it on the big screen.

I walked away with a better overall impression than you I guess. They definitely nailed the basic documentation of their great live show, which many of us have seen multiple times in person. It was also cool to see them in different storied venues (Ryman Auditorium, Tipatina’s) that I haven’t had the opportunity to catch them in.

In terms of showing you something new, I guess my expectations were relatively low since they already had a pretty revealing documentary with I am Trying to Break Your Heart, but I thought it did a great job of showing the interaction between the band members – as a group of people that travel and live together, not just as musicians on stage.

It was also great to have Brendan Canty there to talk about making the film and answer a few questions.

I went to the screening the other night at Noise Pop. The crowd at the Roxie were totally up for it and it was almost like being at a live gig, raucous applause between the tracks etc.. The movie is good but not in every way fulfilling. Obviously the band sounds great and as someone pointed out in the Q&A afterward the mixing is particularly well done. The cinematography is nicely handled, particularly the shots from the road that segue between the various shows.

However, I was left with a feeling that something was missing from the sum of the parts. I wish I could offer more insight to what that was exactly but somehow it just doesn’t quite all fit together in a way that leaves you fulfilled. A very enjoyable 90 mins and great document of how much energy Wilco (particularly Nels and Glenn) put into those shows, but ultimately not really adding anything to your knowledge if you’ve been lucky enough to have seen them live or heard Kicking Television etc.

Props to the crowd at the Roxie though for really getting into it. :)