SAN FRANCISCO--Many music scribes called Wilco [ tickets ]’s last album, 1999’s "Summer Teeth," one of the best releases of the decade. The Chicago-based band's concerts always sell out, and its unreleased fourth album, "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot"--which was streaming via the band's website earlier this year--appears to be its most adventuresome to date.

So, of course, Wilco found itself without a record deal.

It seems that the suits at Reprise, the band's former label, didn’t like what the band had done with "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot," and Wilco [ tickets ] didn’t want to tamper with the work just to please the suits, so the two sides decided to split. (After meeting with several labels, Wilco has signed with Nonesuch Records, Billboard.com reported on Monday (12/3).)

On Saturday (12/1), Wilco played the first of three sold-out shows at the legendary Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco, where it became apparent that Reprise made a mistake in allowing this world-class band to slip away.

If nothing else, it’s ridiculous to let go of an act that commands this type of fan loyalty. These fanatics sang along with every song played, old and new, released and unreleased. They aren’t going to let a record deal keep them from their favorite group’s music. Although "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" has yet to be officially released, many concert-goers had managed to find copies.

"So, how many of you have our record?" Tweedy asked the crowd. "Let’s see a show of hands."

Hands shot up all over the packed venue.

"Great," the vocalist deadpanned. "We are off to a great start: zero sold."

The record label situation is just one factor in what most of been a very trying year for the band. The year began with the exit of drummer Ken Coomer. By the end of summer, guitarist Jay Bennett had left as well.

Bennett was definitely missed on some songs. But, in general, Tweedy did a very good job carrying the guitar load. Some of his leads were simply electrifying. He stood with his back as straight as a rail, with his feet planted close together, and pulled hard on the strings. He played like he had something to prove, and the crowd of true believers ate it all up.

New drummer Glenn Kotche impressed all night and completely made up for Coomer’s absence.

Wilco rose from the ashes of the seminal alt-country band Uncle Tupelo, but this concert had little to do with alt- or any other type of country. The Wilco that recorded the 1995 debut "A.M." is long gone. Today’s Wilco is a solid pop band that excels with both softer songs and hard-edged rockers.

If one had to pick a highlight from the show, it would have to be the fierce rendition of the "Summer Teeth" track "A Shot in the Arm." The new "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" material also sounded quite strong.

Jonathan Richman seemed to be an odd choice to open a show. But it ended up working out perfectly. The singer-songwriter's humorous, personal music is very different than that of Wilco. But they both share an extreme sense of urgency and honesty.

You just can't get enough of that.