Normally I’d refrain from reviewing shows at the Pabst, seeing that I work there. That being said, I think the name of this site, countless previous reviews, and paying for my ticket removes any sort of guilt I would normally feel in delivering you a few highlights from last night’s performance.

10 Highlights/Reflections/Remembrances of Wilco at the Pabst Theater | Night 1

Set List – The set list was a heavy draw from Yankee Hotel Foxtrot and A Ghost Is Born. After a good number of shows it was nice to hear a lot of those songs after being well acquainted with Sky Blue Sky material for the past couple years.

New Songs – We didn’t get any new songs that a savvy internet user hasn’t seen or heard before. The show started off with “Wilco The Song” and “Conscript (aka I’ll Fight).” Both sounded great, with my preference leaning towards the latter.

“At Least That’s What You Said” – One of my favorite Wilco tunes, period. I was actually stunned that they played it.

“I have no idea how this happens” – This line culled from “You Are My Face,” one of my favorites of Sky Blue Sky always gets me live. Lots of people around me were definitely singing along at that point.

“Ashes of American Flags” – One of my favorite tunes, sounded gorgeous last night.

Mostacolli Schnapps – We all know Jeff Tweedy threw out the first pitch at Miller Park on Monday. He joked about racing sausages and throwing the first pitch. He also complained that his jean jacket still smelled of condiments from the game and likened its smell to Mostacolli Schnapps.

Poster – I love when bands make special event posters and Wilco has always done it right. If you haven’t seen the beer + Milwaukee skyline one for their two-night run in Milwaukee you can check it out here.

“Hemispheres” or “Diver Down” – A few (false) hints were dropped from stage about the title of the upcoming LP7 from Wilco. Jeff threw out “Hemispheres” (twice) and “Diver Down.” I’d say it’s safe to assume that unless “Tom Sawyer” or “Jump” make their way into their catalog that we’re still in the dark as to the title.

One By One – The more I think about it, the more I realize how cool it is that Wilco was granted permission to work on Woody Guthrie material with Billy Bragg. Their collaboration yielded two Mermaid Avenue volumes that are absolutely essential listening (and often overlooked). This track was a surprise (to me) and reminded me that it’s time to spend some serious time with Mermaid Avenue again soon.

Brewers Hat – Ok, there were some boo’s. It’s no surprise hosted plenty of our friends from the windy city last night. When Jeff Tweedy appeared on stage with a Brewers hat atop his head for the encore the place pretty much erupted with glee (sans those Cubs fans). It was a fun gesture from a Cardinals fan who stated from stage he doesn’t really understand the whole rooting for one team thing. This almost closes the wounds remaining from the 1982 world series – almost.

Discuss: What did you think of the show? Please leave your thoughts/reviews in the comments. See yall tonight!

Elsewhere: “Looking, as always, as though he’d just been roused from a couch nap, then dragged over a hedge backwards, Tweedy sang, as always, as though his soul needed water.” (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel)
Elsewhere: Milwaukee Decider Review

Photo: CJ Foeckler
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Myspace: Wilco