Wilco is nothing if unpredictable. Their massive catalog of songs allows them to pick and choose whatever suits them on a given night. Last fall in Austin, they did a three-night set of shows where they never repeated a song. So, check out SetList.FM for recent shows all you like, but expect surprises.
On an absolutely gorgeous Houston night on the Lawn at White Oak Music Hall, the Jeff Tweedy-fronted outfit played a wildly varied, two-hour set that spanned their entire career. “That was a song off our first album,” Tweedy told the throng of middle aged fans after playing “Box Full of Letters” from their 1995 album A.M. “This one is off our latest EP…it’s going to show our artistic growth.”
The singer-songwriter’s dry sense of humor is a trademark. As understated as he is, Tweedy understands his audience. “This is the best weather ever,” he said early in the set. “I’ve been to Houston many a time and, did y’all change something?”
With temperatures in the 70s and nary a cloud in the sky, Tweedy led this exceptional group of musicians through songs from every era of Wilco: from their alt-country beginnings through the acclaimed noise rock of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot and right on through their more recent, mellower “dad rock” years.
Tweedy is a master songwriter in the vein of Bob Dylan and Woodie Guthrie, but the artful music he has created over 30 years with this particular group of musicians is impressive for both its depth and complexity. Often the high point of their shows is the extended guitar section of “Impossible Germany,” from their 2007 release Sky Blue Sky. It’s a long jam featuring the unique style of guitarist Nels Cline that ends in a multipart harmony that vibes like ’70s guitar rock.
Of course, no Wilco show would be complete without the dissonance and chaos that they were known and most praised for from albums like Yankee Hotel Foxtrot and Summerteeth. The best example of that is probably “I Am Trying to Break Your Heart,” which descends into a cacophony of drums and feedback while Tweedy is still gently singing the chorus.
Opening the show was Waxahatchee, the musical vehicle for singer-songwriter Katie Crutchfield. The light, airy country-tinged songs from her latest release Tigers Blood were a perfect match for Wilco. Crutchfield is a rising star in the indie world having just headlined shows with the legendary Lucinda Williams opening, as a friend at the show reminded me.
Crutchfield commands a stage with her raw, smoky voice, and her band, including Jeff Tweedy’s son, drummer Spencer Tweedy, holds it down admirably.
The combination of Waxahatchee and Wilco outside on this lovely evening was an inspired pairing. Like so many shows on the Lawn, the decibels were kept reasonable for the surrounding neighborhood. The result was something akin to a backyard barbecue. When Wilco launched into their popular alt-country tune “California Stars,” several couples near me embraced and swayed together on the grass.
“We’re running out of time,” Tweedy said in the waning minutes of their encore set. “I mean that in general.”
They finished with “Walken” from Sky Blue Sky and a raucous version of “I’ve Got You (at the End of the Century)” from the album Being There, neither of which were, unsurprisingly, on any recent set lists.
This article appears in Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2025.
