Richard Thompson Guests With Wilco On This Date In 2016

Wilco was joined by legendary singer-songwriter Richard Thompson at The Mann Center For Performing Arts in Philadelphia on this date in 2016. Thompson, who opened the concert, emerged towards the end of Wilco’s main set to augment the band on “California Stars.”

The Wilco/Richard Thompson relationship dates back to the 2013 AmericanaramA tour. Richard hit it off with the band and specifically with Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy. Thompson then tapped Tweedy to produce his 2015 studio album, Still, which was recorded at Wilco’s Loft facility in Chicago.

On June 4, 2016; Wilco closed out a short three-show run that began in Charleston, West Virgina on the 1st and also included an appearance at the Mountain Jam festival the previous night. Richard Thompson served as support for Wilco on a night the Chicago-based band played a marathon 32-song show that ended with a six-tune acoustic second encore. Tweedy referred to Thompson as his “best friend” after welcoming the British musician to the stage for “California Stars” one night after Jason Isbell guested on the same song. RT took a few twangy solos before dueling with Wilco guitarist Nels Cline.

Watch Thompson’s guest spot with Wilco on “California Stars” captured by noochnooch: