Wilco — 16 August 2016, Kansas City, MO (CrossroadsKC at Grinders)

[bböp]

Don't have time to write much of a recap right now, but on a typically steamy summer evening, the enthusiastic crowd gathered in the relatively intimate backyard confines of CrossroadsKC finally got a chance to see some of Star Wars performed live. It was at this venue, after all, just over one year ago when Wilco played its final show before the surprise release of the record, the songs on which have formed the backbone of the band's sets for the past year or so.

 

One must keep that fact in mind when looking at the setlist below, which on the surface resembles the one the band has more or less been adhering to of late. But there are some signs that at least a few tweaks are coming. For instance, the always-rocking Red-Eyed and Blue>I Got You tandem that got inserted toward the end of the main set. On the whole, this was definitely a case of not what they played but how they played it. Art of Almost, for instance, was an absolute ripper tonight, and for my money, the Cold Slope>King Of You combo is more than welcome to stay in the set for a while.

 

Jeff seemed to be in a fine mood, interrupting Hummingbird mid-song to speculate on the buzzing that could be heard all around. "Are those locusts?" Jeff asked, referring to what people were trying to tell him were cicadas and then making a joke about contending with "a prehistoric biomass." Jeff then asked, rhetorically, "They're messing with us, right?" When someone yelled, "They like you!," he replied, "Oh, they like us. That's a positive way of looking at it. Well, I don't like them. They're stupid and they scare my wife."

 

During the hootenanny encore, Jeff botched the lyrics to I'm Always In Love pretty badly, switching the "set the sun" and "catch the moon" verses, but basically smiled and shrugged it off. He also sort of had to sigh and smile at the KC crowd's pitiful clapping effort at the end of the electric Spiders, declaring "That was a good try. You get a participation trophy."

 

So all in all, a pretty fun evening of Wilco-ing for a city that has been rather fortunate to host two shows by the band in just over 12 months. (And if you look back at the setlist from that 2015 performance, there was quite a bit of variety between the two shows...just sayin'. )

 

Here was the complete setlist as played (there were no changes from the printed setlist):

 

More...

Random Name Generator

The Joke Explained

I Am Trying To Break Your Heart>

Art Of Almost

Pickled Ginger

Hummingbird

Handshake Drugs

Cold Slope>

King Of You

Via Chicago>

Spiders (Kidsmoke) (electric arrangement)

Jesus, etc.

If I Ever Was A Child

Box Full Of Letters

Heavy Metal Drummer>

I'm The Man Who Loves You

Red-Eyed and Blue>

I Got You (At The End of the Century)

Impossible Germany

The Late Greats

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Misunderstood*

It's Just That Simple*

We've Been Had*

I'm Always In Love*

California Stars*

A Shot in the Arm*

 

* — performed hootenanny style with band on acoustic instruments

[Albert Tatlock]

Not bad for someone without much time

[bböp]

Not bad for someone without much time

Not my best, but thanks as always!

[M. (hristine]

Just wanted to add my 2 cents for the archives.

 

I have been seeing Wilco live for nigh on 10 years now. To stand in the front row, dancing, singing and grinning like a fool at the singer who is singing and grinning back at me is the ultimate synergy, and the best reason for experiencing live music. Nels' new guitars, Glenn's mustache, the setlist, and Jeff's choice of footgear, all fall away for this innocent and simple transcendence. I love my friends and my daughter for sharing this night of sweaty fun, and for a band that is the best medicine I know. xo all y'all. You know who you are.