Jeff Tweedy without Wilco – a pleasant surprise

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass – the annual free festival at Golden Gate park with numerous artists who tip toe in, out, and around bluegrass. From Friday through Sunday, the park sets up five separate stages, each hosting their own unique lineup. Rooster Stage closed on Saturday night with the lead singer of Wilco and Uncle Tupelo, Jeff Tweedy, wearing a straw hat and a rustic beard to fit right in with the scene.

As Tweedy opened with Wilco’s classic “I’m the man who loves you,” the crowd relaxed with the promise that this show would fulfill all expectations. Nestled in between two slight slopes and surrounded with towering cypress and redwood trees, people filled in everywhere to catch a glimpse of Tweedy. There was a section of the crowd lined up behind the side fence, hoping to get a closer view, which prompted Tweedy to yell, “I thought this festival was free!” Tweedy proceeded to joke with the crowd, claiming that he was paid to perform at the festival with the two potted trees sitting on the table beside him.

My parents raised me listening to Wilco. Whenever I hear the band’s music, an image of my parents singing every word while driving on a family road trip immediately pops into my head, especially when Tweedy pulls out “Passenger Side.” My parents have been taking my siblings and I to Wilco concerts for as long as I can remember, sitting on the lawns of different outdoor amphitheaters eating picnics with other family friends. Standing on the lawn in front of Tweedy, I couldn’t help but feel these memories float around me.

Tweedy’s crowd ranged in age, which I think is a representation of how his music reaches generations. In front of me, there was group of older folks in their sixties. Behind me were some guys in their late-twenties belting each word with full energy. A father throwing his baby into the air caught my eye, as elementary school girls ran through the crowd with braids in their hair, reminding me of my childhood.

My dad saw Tweedy when he was in Portland a few days ago, and texted me about the nostalgia (videos included). I didn’t think I’d feel the same, as I’m only half his age, and I shook off Tweedy’s solos responding to him, “not as good without Wilco.” But, I was wrong. To my surprise, nostalgia was all I felt during the show. The comforting sounds of Tweedy and the familiarity of the crowd reminded me of simpler times. Tweedy’s setlist was packed with Wilco songs, and during each one I was refreshed by only hearing his voice and an acoustic guitar. Without his band behind him, I was amazed by how he would play alone and still incorporate many of the beats and sounds usually made by his band members. I also found myself filling in the missing sounds in my head, as I’m sure much of the crowd was doing so as well.

Tweedy highlighted his repertoire, jumping from Wilco to his own songs to his previous band, Uncle Tupelo. He played his recent song full of catchy give-and-gos, “Some Birds,” and introduced the crowd to “Let’s Go Rain,” teaching them how to sing along throughout his performance. Tweedy then reached back into Uncle Tupelo’s “New Madrid,” and during “Acuff-Rose” he impressed the crowd with his astounding finger-picking. Fully aware that his crowd knew every word to his songs, Tweedy enjoyed surprising them. During “Misunderstood,” a Wilco staple, he interrupted the echoing voices with a disjointed, funky, and abrupt guitar solo. Nobody expected it, and Tweedy laughed as he kept his audience on their toes. With enough time left for one or two more songs, he asked the audience for recommendations on what to play, settling on “A Shot in the Arm” – a Wilco classic that would allow everyone to sing along.

I was impressed with Tweedy’s casual composure on stage, and ability to interact with the audience so easily. He constantly cracked jokes with the audience, contributing to the laid-back and uplifted vibe present throughout his hour-long set. Walking out of the park after Tweedy’s performance, I couldn’t help but think that yes, Wilco is great, but Jeff Tweedy doesn’t need Wilco in order to be great.

Written by Claire Winthrop