Wilco — 10 August 2025, Chicago, IL (Salt Shed [Fairgrounds])

[bböp]

 I suppose it’s true for nearly all of the shows I write about here, but for some reason I feel a particular need to add a disclaimer to this attempt at a recap. That is to say, I know that whatever drivel I concoct for Ye Olde Via Chicago is always from my own perspective but I do endeavo(u)r to be as objective as possible, report things as they happened and give some sense of the perceived vibe of a given venue and/or audience and possibly offer some historical context and that sort of thing.

 

So as Wilco finally brought this two-set, “Evening With…” format to Chicago on a lightly muggy August night, I must preface the paragraphs that follow by admitting that I can’t really report with much accuracy at all about what things were like throughout much of the Salt Shed Fairgrounds during the show or even how people other than those directly next to me along the rail were reacting/behaving/etc., because I only briefly left that area once all night. I’ve read some reports on social media and elsewhere about that and I’ve been to enough shows at the Salt Shed’s 5,500-capacity outdoor space to know, for instance, that there are always plenty of casual fans treating any given show as just an excuse to enjoy a summer evening out. For better or worse, shows there have become social gatherings as much as concerts, so I have to assume that was also the case for Wilco’s second show stint at the Fairgrounds in as many summers.

 

(And that’s not even including the people in boats, kayaks and other nautical vessels who were enjoying the show for free from the little section of the Chicago River that abuts the venue on the stage right side. I’m only mentioning them — without seeing them with my own eyes — because Jeff poked a little fun at them midway through the first set, saying “our people mean you no harm, but they will be sending someone over to collect some money.”)

 

Being right up front, though, did offer a certain vantage point, again for better and worse. I’ll start with the latter, which takes us to the very beginning of the show. Literally, almost as soon as Jeff and Co. started to play Story To Tell, there was a small commotion right behind us in the second row center. I thought it might have been someone trying to crash the front, but then I turned around and saw that an older gentleman — the father of a nice young guy we had been chatting with, actually — had fainted or collapsed and was on the ground not looking great. Luckily he was in a spot where security and medical staff could get to him relatively easily but it was an inauspicious start to what promised to be a long night. Jeff, for his part, could definitely see what was happening and quickly stopped playing and both band and Wilcrew members looked on with concern until it seemed like the man was getting the attention he needed and only then did they tentatively restart Story To Tell and resume the show. (The son later returned briefly and said his father seemed to be OK and was going to get checked out, so I hope that was the case.)

 

Anyway, as I said, being up front also had its share of benefits apart from just being able to focus on the music and get one of the best possible perspectives of the band’s interactions with one another. For instance, jumping to the very end of the show, we could see that as the Wilcrew set up for the encore, one of the techs subtly stuck what looked to be a cheat sheet to one of Jeff’s monitors, which gave me a strong suspicion that the band was going to close with its cover of the Grateful Dead’s U.S. Blues, which it recently resurrected for its shows on the Outlaw Music Festival. And that’s exactly what the show closer turned out to be, which we later learned was an audible (Outtasite (Outta Mind) had been on the printed setlist as the planned closer). Wilco had played it in Chicago before, as part of their “secret show” sets at the tiny Carol’s Pub back in 2022, but it was an inspired choice to close out a big summer gig in front of a capacity crowd.

 

Between that start and finish, there was plenty to talk about and I’m sure I’m going to leave at least a few things out. But I must mention that in the first set, Jeff and his bandmates reprised the twangy acoustic arrangement of I’m Always In Love that they had played (premiered?) the night before at the semi-secret benefit show they played at the Old Town School of Folk Music. Acoustic arrangement is not entirely accurate because both Nels and Pat are playing electric guitars, but instead of being the garage-y rocker it usually is, the song was transformed into kind of a lilt with Jeff letting the crowd fill in the backing vocals on the repeated “I’m worried…” lines at the climax of the tune. The rendition at Salt Shed wasn’t quite as twangy as the one from the previous night, and it kind of reverted a bit more to the original arrangement, but it was still a pretty significant rearrangement, the kind of thing that Jeff alluded to when commenting on the two-set format. “We’ve been doing this a lot lately,” he said, “just stretching out a little bit, having some fun playing some songs we don’t always get to play, so pace yourselves.”

 

Before Set 1 was over, Wilco had already played 17 songs and 81 minutes. That included the switching of guitar and bass between Jeff and John, which can only precede and signal the crowd-pleasing It’s Just That Simple; the live debut of Quiet Amplifier in Chicago, the Ode To Joy cut the band has only started playing in earnest this year; and Love Is Everywhere (Beware), which Jeff dedicated to Susie Lee (a reference, I’m pretty sure, to the 49-year-old co-founder of the Earlybirds Dance Club for women who had passed away the previous weekend from breast cancer).

 

In Set 2, which began kind of interestingly with both You Are My Face and Side With The Seeds sandwiched around Theologians, Jeff paid some more extended visits to Banter Corner. Among other utterances, Jeff shared an off-the-cuff moment with an arachnid that apparently occurred after a powerful version of Sunken Treasure. “I swear to God while we were playing that (song),” Jeff said, “a spider crawled up to me and looked at me with eyes that said, ‘Did you guys already play Spiders?’” (They, of course, had already done it in the first set, in the acoustic arrangement that many love.) Someone in the crowd yelled out, “Play it again!” To which Jeff quipped, “If we do that, the spiders win.” It was pretty random but amusing, and Jeff even followed the anecdote up a couple of songs later with a joke about how the spider had been “wearing merch, so that was cool.”

 

Jeff also couldn’t miss the opportunity to dedicate I’m The Man Who Loves You to his wife Susie, but instead of the funny bit he usually does about dedicating (or not) the song to her, he noted how “she just completed a 30-year period of being married to me. She deserves an EGOT, a Pulitzer, a Heimlich, a Heisman…all of the things.” Was that a better anniversary gift than throwing out the first pitch and getting a scoreboard message at a Pittsburgh Pirates game (that Susie wasn’t at)? Who can say?

 

By the time, the encore rolled around I think Jeff and Co. could have easily called it a night and no one would have complained. But they returned to the stage with perfect timing to squeeze in a few more before the 10 p.m. curfew for outdoor music in Chicago, including the aforementioned U.S. Blues. In the end, Wilco had played 34 songs (which I believe is the second-most at any Chicago show, at least with the current six-piece lineup, trailing only the final night of the Kicking Television shows at the Vic Theatre in 2005 when there were 36 played, though I guess it depends on how you count because that was a night there were some pretty serious technical issues and things went off the rails a bit). At any rate, 20-plus years into their existence, this group showed that it still has some tricks up its sleeve and, more importantly, seems to enjoy performing together. “Thank you, Chicago,” Jeff said as he left the stage for the final time. “It’s great to be home. You’re the best.”

 

Here was the complete setlist, as played, at the Salt Shed Fairgrounds (didn't get a look at a printed setlist for Set 1 so can't say if there were any changes/omissions, but as mentioned, the one for Set 2 initially had Outtasite (Outta Mind) listed as the final song of the show and also had Via Chicago added by hand):

 

Set 1

Story To Tell

Handshake Drugs

Art Of Almost (acoustic arrangement)

If I Ever Was A Child

Cruel Country

Forget The Flowers

Evicted

Spiders (Kidsmoke) (acoustic arrangement)

Bird Without A Tail/Base Of My Skull

I'm Always In Love (acoustic arrangement; Jeff on acoustic)

Hesitating Beauty

Hummingbird

It's Just That Simple

Quiet Amplifier

Falling Apart (Right Now)

Love Is Everywhere (Beware)

California Stars

 

Set 2

You Are My Face

Theologians

Side With The Seeds

Box Full Of Letters

Annihilation

Sunken Treasure (acoustic arrangement; Jeff on acoustic with no harmonica)

Either Way

Impossible Germany

Jesus, etc.

Via Chicago

Hate It Here

Heavy Metal Drummer

I'm The Man Who Loves You

---------------------------------------------

The Late Greats

Walken

I Got You (At The End Of The Century)

U.S. Blues [Grateful Dead]

[Albert Tatlock]

On 8/12/2025 at 3:33 PM, bböp said:

endeavo(u)r

Hint: You can save yourself some time by not typing the brackets and just leaving it the correct way.

 

On 8/12/2025 at 3:33 PM, bböp said:

I can’t really report with much accuracy at all

On the sauce again?

 

On 8/12/2025 at 3:33 PM, bböp said:

kayaks

The perfect opportunity for Deeper Down with a replacement for the abominable 'Further out than triremes row'. Why are they not switched on? Also on the sauce? All this aftershow malarkey has alot to answer for.

 

Edit: Out of sanguine curiosity I googled US Blues by the Grating Dead and found it on YouTube. I lasted 42 seconds.

[DiamondClaw]

Great show as always. Thanks for the recap, Paul. A couple musings from my spot. I ended up, somewhat unintentionally, in the posh Premium section for this show. It was my first time up there, and it did offer a very cool vantage point of both the stage and the stunning Chicago skyline. Plus a bit of A/C which, hey, I did not complain about. It also came with the chattier casual fans, who were there for the previously mentioned summer night out social gathering. At this point, you have to just accept that and take it for what it is. The Salt Shed is an incredible venue, full of areas to explore, hang out and have a lot of fun. But yeah, if you want that intense diehard experience, you have to be right up front. A space that expansive is not set up for that "pin-drop" experience. I still love the venue and know what to expect and how to make the most of it. 

 

Setlist wise, I was slightly disappointed we didn't get a few deeper cuts throughout the night. But that's a "champagne" qualm only a diehard could make. We did get the acoustic "Art of Almost," the new "I'm Always in Love" (which was a big highlight) and "Quiet Amplifier." I was really hoping for "Panthers," which we just missed last summer. (Last year's Chicago shows were among the last shows pre-Solid Sound when they began to play "Panthers" semi-regularly.) I tried my darnedest by requesting the heck out of the song on the website for weeks. When Jeff went without a guitar mid-first set, I held my breath and crossed my fingers... but alas, it was just "Hummingbird." Not to be I guess. 

 

The second set was fairly straightforward. Although looking back on recent setlists, it seems they aren't straying a ton from the formula just in general this tour. "US Blues" was great — it was amusing to observe how many attendees really got into that song throughout the place. I thought it might come off as a random song, but I guess I shouldn't have been surprised with the composition of the crowd. Lots of Deadheads losing their minds! 

 

Lastly, Jeff's spider incident was especially funny because the exact same thing happened to me about 20 minutes earlier. A spider had descended from the ceiling and someone behind me had to tap me on the shoulder to warn me it was two inches from my head! And at that time, I made the same joke Jeff did later.

 

Overall a great night, and while it was slightly less adventurous setlist wise, it was still 34 songs and a ton of fun!

[theashtraysays]

I was in the immediate proximity of the bbop so I also don’t have a lot of insight to the other areas of the venue.
But one thing I noticed is that during the set break, just as the band was about to re-enter the stage, they flooded the stage with red light and played the theme from Jaws. Apparently they’ve done this a couple shows now but I have no idea why. Inquiry to the crew about it yielded no insight other than “Fun, right??” so for now it’s a mystery. 
 

 Prior to the actual show (but well after doors) there was a kayak race on the adjacent river which had representation from a few of the local record shops. They showed the race on the big screens flanking the stage, complete with play by play (stroke by stroke?) of the participants. It was excellent Chicagoland kitsch, in a minor league baseball team vein. 
 

As for the show itself, 34 songs in a hometown environment is everything you’d ever want in a Wilco show. 
 

see y’all on the rail …

 

Vince 

[bböp]

14 hours ago, theashtraysays said:

But one thing I noticed is that during the set break, just as the band was about to re-enter the stage, they flooded the stage with red light and played the theme from Jaws. Apparently they’ve done this a couple shows now but I have no idea why. Inquiry to the crew about it yielded no insight other than “Fun, right??” so for now it’s a mystery. 

Oh yeah, the Jaws thing. Thanks for adding the details on that. I totally meant to, but forgot. That was a new bit to me, so maybe just a little bit of Wilcrew fun?

[Chez]

16 hours ago, theashtraysays said:

I was in the immediate proximity of the bbop so I also don’t have a lot of insight to the other areas of the venue.
But one thing I noticed is that during the set break, just as the band was about to re-enter the stage, they flooded the stage with red light and played the theme from Jaws. Apparently they’ve done this a couple shows now but I have no idea why. Inquiry to the crew about it yielded no insight other than “Fun, right??” so for now it’s a mystery. 
 

 Prior to the actual show (but well after doors) there was a kayak race on the adjacent river which had representation from a few of the local record shops. They showed the race on the big screens flanking the stage, complete with play by play (stroke by stroke?) of the participants. It was excellent Chicagoland kitsch, in a minor league baseball team vein. 
 

As for the show itself, 34 songs in a hometown environment is everything you’d ever want in a Wilco show. 
 

see y’all on the rail …

 

Vince 

*Sigh* had tickets for this one, but had to sell them after I was advised by my wife that her family reunion in Boston was a better "option" for me last weekend.  When I purchased the tickets, I was a little put-off by the "premier zone" option.  Did folks in the premier zone get to stand closest to the rail? Grey Poupon?

[theashtraysays]

33 minutes ago, Chez said:

*Sigh* had tickets for this one, but had to sell them after I was advised by my wife their her family reunion in Boston was a better "option" for me last weekend.  When I purchased the tickets, I was a little put-off by the "premier zone" option.  Did folks in the premier zone get to stand closest to the rail? Grey Poupon?

Bummer you missed it…

 

I didn’t notice anyone in the rail who wasn’t in line with us hardcores in the sidewalk all afternoon. I think the designated zone for them was the long balcony along stage left which had stools along the rail of that balcony. The closest spots up there seemed to fill up pretty fast. 
That said, there weren’t any wristbands for the main GA area so I don’t know of the balcony peeps could’ve wandered down to the rail with us if they wanted. 

[nalafej]

 

As in, My 100th Wilco show. Spanning nearly 30 years (#1 at Pine Knob on 8/20/95).

 

You really can't ask for a better summertime outdoor show in Chicago or anywhere for that matter. The band brought their road tested formula and tweaked it ever so slightly for the hometown crowd. It was a hit. Mother nature delivered a warm dry evening with a nice breeze from time to time. It was a hit.

 

US Blues was a highlight as were all the Pat spotlights - Falling Apart, Box, background vocals. Just That Simple into Quiet Amplifier worked really well. I think they lost the crowd with the start of the former, but by songs end...different story (to tell).

 

The band clearly has the SBS front of mind on this leg of the tour. Must be prepping a pricey box set for us. I'll be into that despite it not being my favorite. I thought Walken slowed the encore down too much, but you follow it up with I Got You and things are really really really good again.

 

Bbop's great recap (as always) slightly mis-states the show history. This was Wilco's third appearance at the former salt factory.

 

Looking forward to resetting my show counter (apparently it only has a two digit capacity - constructed pre Y2K of course) to "01" on that actual 30th anniversary of my first show next week (Jackson! Show 101 on 8/20/25).

[chisoxjtrain]

My co-worker went and left in an ambulance a couple songs in. Heat stroke. August outdoor concerts are rough. 

[bböp]

5 hours ago, nalafej said:

 

As in, My 100th Wilco show. Spanning nearly 30 years (#1 at Pine Knob on 8/20/95).

 

You really can't ask for a better summertime outdoor show in Chicago or anywhere for that matter. The band brought their road tested formula and tweaked it ever so slightly for the hometown crowd. It was a hit. Mother nature delivered a warm dry evening with a nice breeze from time to time. It was a hit.

 

US Blues was a highlight as were all the Pat spotlights - Falling Apart, Box, background vocals. Just That Simple into Quiet Amplifier worked really well. I think they lost the crowd with the start of the former, but by songs end...different story (to tell).

 

The band clearly has the SBS front of mind on this leg of the tour. Must be prepping a pricey box set for us. I'll be into that despite it not being my favorite. I thought Walken slowed the encore down too much, but you follow it up with I Got You and things are really really really good again.

 

Bbop's great recap (as always) slightly mis-states the show history. This was Wilco's third appearance at the former salt factory.

 

Looking forward to resetting my show counter (apparently it only has a two digit capacity - constructed pre Y2K of course) to "01" on that actual 30th anniversary of my first show next week (Jackson! Show 101 on 8/20/25).

 

Well, well, well...hearty congratulations on your 100th! You didn't mention that approaching milestone when we chatted the other night. Definitely one to remember, then! 

 

And thanks for the slight clarification on my post. I corrected it to what I meant to write, which is it was Wilco's second stint at the Salt Shed in as many summers (their third show there in total, of course). 

[wilcolovesyou]

On 8/13/2025 at 11:06 AM, theashtraysays said:

That said, there weren’t any wristbands for the main GA area so I don’t know of the balcony peeps could’ve wandered down to the rail with us if they wanted. 

I chatted with Salt Shed folks last year to ask these same questions since I had the upgraded tickets— not GA. Official word is that for capacity and licensing reasons, folx are supposed to stay in their designated areas but the ticket manager told me that no one would check or question if someone moved from premium to GA. And I was able to easily hideout on the rail with no problems going back and forth.