Watch Wilco & My Brightest Diamond Perform Riotous ‘Spiders (Kidsmoke)’ In Portland

My Brightest Diamond spent the past three weeks opening for Wilco. The project and nom-de-plume of Shara Nova’s last gig supporting Wilco came last night in Portland, Oregon; where Nova joined the band for their “Spiders (Kidsmoke)” finale at Keller Auditorium.

“Spiders (Kidsmoke)” was originally released by Wilco on their fifth studio album, 2004’s A Ghost Is Born. The krautrock-influenced song with motorik beat is as close as the Chicago-based band has to a jam vehicle. Monday’s version nearly hit the 13-minute mark and included a breakdown where the audience clapped in unison and sang the main theme to the delight of frontman Jeff Tweedy and his bandmates.

Shara Nova was a ball of energy throughout wokring plenty of distorted rhythmic work into the “Spiders (Kidsmoke)” excursion. Tweedy told the audience of My Brightest Diamond, “it’s been a joy watching you every night,” “thank you so much for playing with us” and noted Shara was the “best traveling partner ever.”

View fan-shot video of Wilco’s “Spiders (Kidsmoke)” with My Brightest Diamond from Monday’s show below:

My Brightest Diamond wasn’t the only guest for Wilco on Monday. Frequent collaborator Scott McCaughey, whom Tweedy called “our spiritual father,” added to the “California Stars” that began last night’s encore. The co-founding member of The Minus 5 and touring member of R.E.M. played keyboards on the tune featuring lyrics by Woody Guthrie and music by Wilco and Billy Bragg.

See last night’s “California Stars” collaboration via audience-captured video below:

The encore of “California Stars” with Scott McCaughey and “Spiders (Kidsmoke)” with My Brightest Diamond followed a 19-song main set. Wilco loaded the setlist with six songs from their recently released Cousin studio album and also included plenty of classics such as “Handshake Drugs,” “I Am Trying To Break Your Heart,” “Hummingbird,” “Via Chicago,” “Heavy Metal Drummer” and “A Shot In The Arm.”

Wilco continues their fall tour with a two-night stand at Seattle’s Paramount Theatre tonight and tomorrow. Nina Nastasia takes over support duties for the rest of the month.