Since Covid changed our lives, returning to live music has been an emotional experience for those of us in the industry. And the emotion was palpable at the Orpheum Theatre on night three of Wilco’s run in Los Angeles. About halfway through the show, a teary Jeff Tweedy took a moment to thank the band’s crew for a successful fall tour.
“We’ve done this tour without anyone in our whole organization getting sick, and that can only be done with some luck, I’m sure, but also the full commitment of the best group of people in the world that travel with us,” he said. “Everybody that works with us, the crew, they’re the best fucking people in the world. So they deserve all of the applause.” Then he joked that it was odd to look at a masked audience but “it’s not as weird as some rock shows in history I’m sure.” Truth.
The evening progressed joyfully, as even Tweedy showed off dance moves rarely seen. But it was guitarist Nels Cline’s night to shine. A native of Los Angeles, he put on a guitar Master Class, blowing minds with each new solo. Those familiar with Wilco’s live shows know that such performances are simply the standard.
The lovely Faye Webster opened the evening and highlighted songs from her latest release—and one of the best albums of 2021—I Know I’m Funny Haha. She later joined Wilco during their encore for “Jesus, Etc.” Her talented backing band kicked off the encore with Wilco by performing a fan favorite and appropriate song for the location, “California Stars.” All in all, it was a memorable night in the city of angels.
FAYE WEBSTER
SETLIST
A Shot in the Arm
Random Name Generator
Muzzle of Bees
One and a Half Stars
Ashes of American Flags
Art of Almost
How to Fight Loneliness
Sunken Treasure
Laminated Cat (Loose Fur cover)
If I Ever Was a Child
Impossible Germany
Love Is Everywhere (Beware)
Hummingbird
Box Full of Letters
Everyone Hides
Either Way
Dawned on Me
Heavy Metal Drummer
I’m the Man Who Loves You
Poor Places
Reservations
ENCORE
California Stars (Billy Bragg & Wilco cover) (With members of Faye Webster’s band)
Jesus, Etc. (With Faye Webster)
Red-Eyed and Blue
I Got You (At the End of the Century)
I’m a Wheel
