Pro-Shot Full Show Video: Wilco Plays Penultimate Show Ahead Of Hiatus

This week is a bittersweet one for Wilco fans. Jeff Tweedy & Co. are playing very well in the Heartland and reaching into the back catalog for gems, but are approaching the start of a hiatus that is expected to last through 2018. Last night, the group played their second of three shows at the recently renovated Palace Theatre in St. Paul to not only a live audience, yet also those watching around the world via a free webcast. The professionally-shot video of Thursday’s show is still available for viewing as of press time.

Wilco’s penultimate show before hiatus was a true career-spanning affair, as Tweedy led the group on cuts from a whopping 10 different studio albums. For those keeping score at home that’s at least one song off every single Wilco studio album from 1995’s A.M. through last year’s Schmilco. The band opened with Schmilco’s “Cry All Day” before performing perhaps their signature song, “I Am Trying To Break Your Heart.” Up next was “Art Of Almost,” which showed off Wilco’s underrated propensity and ability to improvise.

Later in the set Wilco went the acoustic route for a “hootenanny” rendition of the beloved “Misunderstood” and soon thereafter dusted off “Hotel Arizona.” The band had last played the Being There deep cut in 2015 with the exception of their complete performance of the album at this past summer’s Solid Sound Festival. Another Wilco song that the band seems to like to play at Solid Sound but not elsewhere is “Candyfloss.” Last night’s version of the Summerteeth track was the first non-Solid Sound rendition since December 6, 2014.

The sextet continued on with “Bull Black Nova,” which was a shining moment for guitarist Nels Cline and a “Reservations” that saw the crowd chatter incessantly. Jeff Tweedy was disappointed by the reaction to the moving Yankee Hotel Foxtrot ballad. “I want to thank everybody that talked during ‘Reservations’ because you made it one of the saddest versions of that song…thank you for not paying attention. It really hurt,” Tweedy said. He then brought up guitarist James Elkington, who opened the show, to add fiery guitar to “California Stars.” Tweedy was still pissed as his intro of Elkington included, “We’re going to bring Jimmy James Elkington up. I want to thank you on his behalf for talking during his set. He really loves that.”

Wilco’s 22-song set ended with one great tune after another. From “Theologians” to “Box Full Of Letters” to “Heavy Metal Drummer” to “I’m The Man Who Loves You” to “Hummingbird,” nearly every side of the band’s musicality was on display. The six-piece said farewell with a pair of encores. Up first was a string of “Random Name Generator,” “Passenger Side,” “Locator” and “Spiders (Kidsmoke).” The latter featured a meaty jam with impressive interplay between Cline, drummer Glen Kottche and keyboardist Mikael Jorgensen. Jeff Tweedy & Co. then rocked out to end the evening with high-energy romps through “Monday” and “Outtasite (Outta Mind).” Wilco will turn the lights out on their touring career for at least 12 months after Friday’s tour finale in St. Paul.

Watch Thursday’s show while you still can: