As Big Ears festival has brought the world to Knoxville, it has also allowed a bit of Knoxville to seep out into the world. There is no better example than Wilco. Ur-guitarist Nils Cline and drummer Glenn Kotche have both played at several iterations of the festival and the whole band played a legendary festival headlining show at the Tennessee Theater in 2017. Thus, when it came time to search for a place to rehearse for their upcoming European tour, Knoxville seemed like a natural fit. The band settled in for four days of rehearsal at the Bijou Theater and Knoxville was treated two incendiary sets at the smallest venue Wilco has played in a decade. As both shows sold out in minutes, the crowds were ravenous and eager, and they were not disappointed. In their first shows after an 18-month hiatus, Wilco played 50 songs over two nights without a single repeat. Every single member of Wilco is in the conversation for being the best in the world at their instrument and they were absolutely on fire, propelled by John Stirrat’s melodic bass and Kotche’s unique, untouchable style.
Both nights featured rarities and beloved classics in equal measure. Night one featured a few more puzzled glances as the band knocked the rust off and night two was polished and professional. Tweedy was in fine form throughout, joking and bantering with the crowd rewarding a call for “Bull Black Nova” and giving giant double thumbs down to a call for “Casino Queen.” “Are you alright,” he asked the crowd, “Whenever I say that, the crowd always asks me how I’m doing. I feel like we are the only band where people are worried about the lead singer. ‘how are you doing today?’ It’s like the anti David Lee Roth effect. No one ever wonders if he is OK.”
Night one opened with “Hell is Chrome” and “Whole Love” and worked up to a blazing three-minute guitar solo on Impossible Germany. Mermaid Avenue’s “Remember the Mountain Bed” and AM’s “Shouldn’t be Ashamed were among the surprises. “The Late Greats,” “Dawned on Me,” and a rarely played “Hate it Here” were set highlights before a strong single encore of “Outtamind,” “Jesus etc,” Heavy Metal Drummer” and “I’m the Man Who Loves You.” Night two opened with “You are My Face” before moving into “Muzzle of Bees” and “I am Trying to Break Your Heart.” Rarities included Loose Fur’s “Laminated Cat,” and “Hesitating Beauty” from Mermaid Avenue. Other highlights included “Theologians,” “I am a Jar,” “I Got You,” “Boxful of Letters,” and “Misunderstood.” The encore was “Ashes of American Flags,” “What Light,” “Outtasight” and a surprise “I’m a Wheel.” The setlist had “Monday” and “Hoodoo Voodoo as a second encore but Tweedy audibled into “Shot in the Arm” to close two of the most magical nights Knoxville will ever witness.
You perfectly captured the magic of these two phenomenal shows. Thank you for this.