Wilco – Live at the Capitol Theatre, Night Two

Since reopening in 2012, the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY–about thirty minutes north of Manhattan–has worked hard to bring mainstream and indie artists to the city’s backyard. There’s no other venue quite like it in the area, and that may be why it has been so successful. Wilco’s two-night sold-out run in support of their latest album, Star Wars, at the Cap was their second visit to the venue in less than two years, and they were warmly welcomed.

Wilco began both shows by performing Star Wars in full before varying their set with selections from throughout their career. Drummer Glenn Kotche, visibly in good spirits, took a vibrant solo quickly followed by a frenetic sample of lead guitarist Nels Cline’s talents on “Where Do I Begin.” Frontman Jeff Tweedy was workmanlike in his approach, staying tightlipped for much of the show. As the two-hour evening continued, the band pulled out bigger and bigger fan favorites drawing cheers and singalongs on “Jesus, Etc.” and “Impossible Germany.” On “The Thanks I Get,” Tweedy led the receptive audience in a call-and-response repeating “We can make it better” until the audience was so strong, Tweedy quipped, “That’s pretty good! I don’t think we can make it better!”

The gem of the show was the second encore. Tossing aside most amplification, the band gathered in the center of the stage for an acoustic set. Electric bass and guitars were traded for a banjo, xylophone, and melodica, while Tweedy stepped back a bit from the mic, allowing his voice to blend with the sound of the claptrap yet tight band around him.

Tweedy, his face obscured by a hat and glasses for much of the night, garnered a loud cheer with a gentle tip of his hat and nod to the audience early on. When such a small, simple gesture elicits that kind of response, it’s clear how beloved Wilco is to their fans. The band shows their appreciation by giving their fans performances like this.

Setlist

1. More…
2. Random Name Generator
3. The Joke Explained
4. You Satellite
5. Taste the Ceiling
6. Pickled Ginger
7. Where Do I Begin
8. Cold Slope
9. King of You
10. Magnetized
11. Handshake Drugs
12. Camera
13. I Am Trying to Break Your Heart
14. Art of Almost
15. Via Chicago
16. Hummingbird
17. Heavy Metal Drummer
18. I’m the Man Who Loves You
19. Jesus, Etc.
20. Born Alone
21. Passenger Side
22. Imposible Germany
23. The Late Greats

Encore 1:

1. I’m a Wheel

Encore 2 (Acoustic Set):

1. The Thanks I Get
2. Misunderstood
3. War on War
4. I’m Always in Love
5. California Stars