Halloween festivities started early this year for those who attended a free Concert for Change"" in support of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama featuring three members of Chicago's Wilco at the Wisconsin Union Theater Saturday.
U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., urged students to vote early and volunteer their time to the ""Get out the Vote"" campaign. Feingold expressed his appreciation for Wilco's music as he introduced Jeff Tweedy, Pat Sansone and John Stiratt of the band.
The political efforts of the performance were evident by the campaign literature and volunteers seeking support at the event. However, the political connection was overshadowed by the excitement and curiosity of the attendees to see Wilco perform with only half of its members.
Though lead singer Tweedy admitted that Wilco doesn't ""have a lot of songs for a hope-filled auditorium,"" the opening number, Sky Blue Sky's ""What Light,"" said differently. Wilco then sang ""Christ for President,"" a song written by Woody Guthrie in 1938, or as Tweedy said, ""a long time before Christian ideals appropriated right-wing politics.""
The band also played Woody Guthrie's ""California Stars"" and Bob Dylan's ""I Shall Be Released."" Tweedy sang, ""Feingold, we love you baby"" during Wilco's ""The Wilco Song,"" which debuted Thursday night on The Colbert Report. ""It's Wilco the Song, like Joe the Plumber,"" Tweedy said jokingly.
Wilco ended its performance with Yankee Hotel Foxtrot's ""I'm the Man Who Loves You,"" telling fans to ""keep hope alive, and we'll see you on the other side of Tuesday.""
Following the performance U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., lead attendees on a march to the City Clerk's Office to vote early.
