Wilco

[Maoster]

For my money, the best headline set in the 4 Years I have been going (but I am a massive Wilco fan). Setlist was spot on, mainly hard edged and upbeat, perfect way to round things off. Audience seemed well up for it where I was, a lot of dancing and "interesting" interpretive air guitar workouts!

Be interested to see what other folks think, especially if the first time seen them live.

[Sipperana]

My first time for Wilco. Was going to give them half an hour then go off and do something else, and ended up staying for the whole set. Says it all really.

[Infinite Jest]

I've seen Wilco 10 times now, since 1999. That would be in the top 3, I think. Setlist was pretty close to what I expected: I personally could have done with a few more older songs and a few less of the songs they play every time (Shot in the Arm, Trying to Break Your Heart, Man Who Loves You etc). But that's only because I've heard those played 7 or 8 times, and never heard She's A Jar or The Lonely 1 etc.

Given that it was a festival show (so they're playing more obvious songs) I think the set was pretty damn good. (And I'm seeing them tonight, so hopefully they mix it up a bit )

[Hotcider]

One of my highlights. First time I have seen them and yeah they were amazing. Handshake Drugs wis simply sublime.

[Swindlebiscuit]

Maoster - I'm with you.

Best Garden headline set I've seen at EOTR in four years.

Also wish they'd played a few more older tracks, but that's quibbling really.

Think I've seen them 6 times, three at festivals. This was definitely the most polished, rockiest festival set and up there with the recent Kentish Town gig (even seemed a little more epic).

Enjoyed it massively.

(Where's the chap who complained that Wilco are "too earnest" to headline?)

[nuff said]

Sublime.

Please take note YLT. That's how you headline a festival.

Dodgy air guitar from me too, put my hands in pockets to try to control myself, I couldn't, the resulting image must have been horrendous!

[Maoster]

Sublime.

Please take note YLT. That's how you headline a festival.

Dodgy air guitar from me too, put my hands in pockets to try to control myself, I couldn't, the resulting image must have been horrendous!

[ljsawyer]

I guess I'm the only one who thought they were just above average then. They started very strong with the likes of Bull Black Nova and I Am Trying to Break Your Heart but it really tailed off during the latter half. I was kind of annoyed that they didn't play Heavy Metal Drummer, as that's my favourite Wilco song by a country mile. But their song choices were still far far better than Yo La Tengo's.

[andy55]

Thought they were excellent - particularly the second half after Jeff Tweedy had loosened up and started to banter with the crowd. Best I've seen them in fact.

I know it was a long weekend, but I'm pretty sure they did Heavy Metal Drummer.

[cheesehead]

I was managing expectations beforehand - while I love Being There and YHF I'm not in love with all their more recent stuff, and I know Jeff has a rep for being a bit awkward, so I didn't get my hopes up.

They were better than I thought possible. Pretty much the setlist I would have picked, played brilliantly. Loved it loved it loved it.

Loved it.

[ElGanzo]

I guess I'm the only one who thought they were just above average then. They started very strong with the likes of Bull Black Nova and I Am Trying to Break Your Heart but it really tailed off during the latter half. I was kind of annoyed that they didn't play Heavy Metal Drummer, as that's my favourite Wilco song by a country mile. But their song choices were still far far better than Yo La Tengo's.

[Olivedal 1904]

I'm not a big fan of Wilco and I think their records are quite dull, except for Summerteeth and Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.

I saw them last year at a festival and it was a surprise for me how good they are live. This time around it was even better and it was a very enjoyable set. Nels Cline is a very talented guitarist. I would still say that Wilco turned out to be the weakest performance of the headlining artists but that is only because of the fierce competition.

[Infinite Jest]

Given that it was a festival show (so they're playing more obvious songs) I think the set was pretty damn good. (And I'm seeing them tonight, so hopefully they mix it up a bit )

[geofelgie]

Well they didn't play either of my two favourite songs - but given one of them is a hidden track on summerteeth I don't even know the name of and the other is Misunderstood it was never going to be likely!!!

I thought it was fabulous....tight, well thought out set, well played....nice respect for both the crowd.........but best Garden Stage headliners......errrrr no, 'fraid not.....that has to be either Mercury Rev or Lambchop.

The best actual headliner at End of the Road though is still Guillemots in the big top in 2006....still makes me smile thinking about it....... and my favourites this year were Wintersleep in the Tipi on Saturday.

[Corporal Clegg]

I think they were only topped by Black Mountain this year for me.But Wilco's set was one of the best things i've seen at EOTR.And the perfect setting for them the sound quality was amazing-is there any other festival stage that has a better sound than the Garden Stage?! Third time i've seen them and by far the best.

[Olivedal 1904]

Infinite Jest: Ok, I should give it another try, haven't listened to it that much. Thanks for the tip.

[nuff said]

Maoster - imagine the shame! just listening to my fave wilco song 'at least that's what you said'. If they had played that, well, it could have got messy!

I thought they were amazing at greenman last year, so did some guy who had seen them 8 times in the states and here. They were even better this time.

[Devafeva]

I have to say I was disappointed. I'm not a Wilco devotee but liked the idea of them as headliner. Liked the Billy Bragg collaboration albums, love a bit of jangle etc.

However, the quality of the tunes just didn't move me at all. I just thought that there was the explanation as to why they'd been a respectably 2nd Division band for 10 years. Nice, lovely musicians but inferior songs. Sorry Jeff.

[Swindlebiscuit]

However, the quality of the tunes just didn't move me at all. I just thought that there was the explanation as to why they'd been a respectably 2nd Division band for 10 years. Nice, lovely musicians but inferior songs. Sorry Jeff.

[Maoster]

Nice, lovely musicians but inferior songs. Sorry Jeff.

[Navidanjum]

I thought it was a great set but I don't know their albums after Summerteeth. Please could some kind soul let me know the name of the second song they played? It was a right beauty.

[Infinite Jest]

If I remember right it was Bull Black Nova, off the most recent album: Wilco (The Album). (Unfortunately the only setlist on any of the usual sites (Wilcobase.com, forums.viachicago.org or setlist.fm) was posted by me, and I don't remember the entire correct set order, though they definitely played Bull Black Nova early on).

One of my favourite Wilco songs, for sure.

Edited September 20, 2010 by Infinite Jest

[Navidanjum]

You're dead right. Listening to it now and it's bringing it all back! Must shell out for some more recent stuff. Thanks v much.

[Infinite Jest]

My pleasure

For later stuff, I'd recommend listening in the order Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, A Ghost is Born, Wilco (the Album) and Sky Blue Sky. Though you might want to pick up Wilco (TA) first, seeing as you already like at least one of the songs. SBS is their worst album IMO.

[Navidanjum]

Thanks very much. Working my way through them. Interested to know why Sky Blue Sky's an apparent dip in form. But will soon become clear I'm sure