#Unannounced picturesque lyrics full

The band eased their way back onstage with the solemn “Ashes of American Flags”, which eventually soared on the wings of Cline’s lead guitar: “I would like to salute, the ashes of American flags, and all the fallen leaves, filling up shopping bags”. Set closer “The Late Greats” had a fluctuating groove that was never on auto-pilot, defining Wilco’s style in many ways. “Floating fast like a hummingbiiird,” the audience sang in unison as Tweedy held the mic towards the audience and conducted the thousands of DC-area fans.

“Theologians” and “I’m Always in Love” both had Exile -era Stones swagger with a touch of Power Pop.Īfter the upbeat nod to the high-production hair metal days, “Heavy Metal Drummer”, the band all hailed Drummer Kotche in a very fun-loving, Spinal Tap-y moment. Multi-instrumentalist Sansone also impressed with some twangy Telecaster licks, proving this band has no shortage of guitar talent.

#Unannounced picturesque lyrics full

The gritty “Box Full of Letters” from their debut album was an opportunity for original member John Stirratt to provide a solid backbone for the song via his bass line and tried-and-true background vocals. “ That was all the ‘find your seats’ music ,” Tweedy quipped, “Thank you, glad you could make it!” Cline took on Pedal Steel duties for “Jesus, Etc.”, another fan-favorite that elicited a lot of Gen X smiles. Wilco’s loud-quiet dynamic keeps fans on the edge of their seat, unsure of what lies ahead. “Impossible Germany, unlikely Japan,” Tweedy sang as Cline once again assaulted his guitar in a manner that somehow always evokes melodic satisfaction. Just to methodically layer such rambunctious instrumentation over a beautiful melody has the ability to turn the heads of even casual fans. The chaotic interlude on “Via Chicago” is so uniquely Wilco and always a live highlight that prompts cheers and ovations. “Someone to Lose” felt like an early 2000s gem, which transitioned into a proper 2002 classic “Pot Kettle Black” from Foxtrot. “When you’re back in your old neighborhood, the cigarettes taste so good, but you’re so misunderstood”: Tweedy’s songwriting is a staple in the Modern Rock history books, proving that it is possible to fuse worlds of Experimental, Country, Rock, Folk and Noise with the power of earnest lyricism. During the ballad “Misunderstood,” Mikael Jorgensen played keys, Pat Sansone picked the banjo, and Cline took a seat for some lap steel. “Pickled Ginger” from Star Wars had a slightly-frantic downtempo vibe, with a hair of Punk Rock. Hopefully you find some comfort in being depressed,” Tweedy recognized the dichotomy between the introspective, darker tunes and the picturesque setting sun over the Virginia sky. I feel bad about playing depressing songs to ruin your night. “We’ve been lucky it has been so nice where we’ve played. Once Glenn Kotche ’s drum fills on “I Am Trying to Break Your Heart” echoed over the lawn, folks put down their Pinot Grigios and hopped to their feet: “I am an American aquarium drinker, I assassin down the avenue.” The cathartic guitar arrangements from mastermind Nels Cline layered perfectly over Tweedy’s lyrics during the apex of the song, which segued into the spacey “Art of Almost” thanks to Cline’s aggressively-precise technique. Wilco’s opener “On and On and On” was a powerfully dissonant way to get things going before Tweedy’s pessimistic lyrics on “Normal American Kids” felt like the antithesis to the pristine outdoor setting: “Always hated normal American empty Summer days.” The brooding pace led by Tweedy and his exotically-painted acoustic guitar continued during the performances of “If I Ever Was a Child” and “Cry All Day” from 2016’s Schmilco.

The band took the stage at Wolf Trap National Park’s Filene Center on a June Friday evening just outside Washington, D.C., after supporting act Kacy & Clayton provided a reserved, folky start to the night. In their 23 year tenure, Wilco has been consistently bringing their accessibly eccentric live show to the world. Wilco shot into the limelight after putting out 2002’s Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, a timeless record that set a standard for Indie album production in the 2000s. But all of their music holds up and their journey into the unknown has ultimately allowed Wilco to endure for so long (a la Radiohead’s wide-ranging genre progression). Since then, the band’s sound has evolved from Alt-Country to Experimental Rock to Indie Americana. The band began after Singer / Guitarist Jeff Tweedy ended his time with Uncle Tupelo (along with Son Volt’s Jay Farrar) in 1994. Wilco don’t have to deal with the paparazzi, yet they perform packed theatres and sheds across the country, have the respect of the music community, and continually release the music that they want on their own terms. If you asked any career musician what band exemplifies sustainable success without having to compromise integrity, I’d bet most would point to Wilco.