Wilco Closes Its 2024 Summer Tour With A Scorching Set At The Iconic Amphitheater

The current Wilco lineup, Jeff Tweedy (guitars and vocals), Glenn Kotche (drums), John Stirratt (bass, vocals), Mikael Jorgensen (keyboards), Nels Cline (guitars) and Pat Sansone (guitars, keyboards and vocals) have been playing together for two of Wilco’s three decades and brought their polished, high-energy sound to the Chautauqua Institution’s Amphitheater Friday night (July 5, 2024).

There seemed to be few casual fans among the 4,000 who attended the band’s final show of its summer tour; the first bars of each of the 23 songs (see set list, bottom) brought audible cheers of recognition from the all-ages audience and made “Jesus, etc.” a joyous singalong. 

It should be noted that Tweedy vetoed the audience’s set list solicited online saying, “you should be glad we didn’t do the set you voted on. It would have been weird.” 

Wilco performed songs from its extensive, 30-year catalogue, including “Box Full of Letters” from its debut, 1995 album A.M. to “Annihilation” from Hot Sun Cool Shroud (reviewed here), released June 28, 2024. 

Although Tweedy’s voice was always front and center, some of the most thrilling moments came during Cline’s sophisticated guitar work on “Side With The Seeds” and “Bird Without a Tail/Base of My Skull.” 

Cline’s chameleon-like ability to go from alt-country chicken pickin’ to blistering metal solos (and an avant-garde turn on Hot Sun Cool Shroud), combined with a remarkable body of recorded work, makes a strong case that he should be named among the finest guitarists of our time.

Wilco performed for two hours, closing the concert with a cover of the Grateful Dead’s “U.S. Blues,” sending a grateful crowd into the sultry, drizzling Chautauqua night. 

Photos were discouraged at the concert, but this one did seem to capture the moment.

Wilco will love you, baby. Scorching tour ending show at the Amphitheater at Chautauqua Institution. And a blazing U.S. Blues encore that raised Jerry from the dead. pic.twitter.com/ymafdaH19T

— Ed Healy (@eBuffNY) July 6, 2024

Cut Worms opened the concert, charming the crowd with a 30-minute set of chiming pop, calling to mind Buddy Holly and Roy Orbison. 

Set List, Wilco, July 5, 2024, Chautauqua Institution Amphitheater (Song, Album Year of Release). (1) Misunderstood, Being There (1996); (2) Forget The Flowers, Being There (1996); (3) Handshake Drugs, A Ghost is Born(2004); (4) At Least That’s What You Said, A Ghost is Born (2004); (5) I Am My Mother, Cruel Country (2022); (6) Cruel Country, Cruel Country (2022); (7) I Am Trying to Break Your Heart, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (2002); (8) Meant to Be, Cousin (2023); (9) Annihilation, Hot Sun Cool Shroud (2024); (10) Hummingbird, A Ghost is Born (2004); (11) Side With The Seeds, Sky Blue Sky (2007); (12) Evicted, Cousin (2023); (13) Bird Without a Tail/Base of My Skull, Cruel Country (2022); (14) Company In My Back, A Ghost is Born (2004); (15) Impossible Germany, Sky Blue Sky (2007); (16) Jesus, Etc.,Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (2002); (17) Box Full of Letters, A.M. (1995); (18) The Late Greats, A Ghost is Born(2004); (19) Heavy Metal Drummer,Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (2002); (20) A Shot in the Arm, Summerteenth (1999). ENCORES: (1) Falling Apart (Right Now),Cruel Country (2022); (2) California Stars, Mermaid Avenue: The Complete Sessions (2012); (3) U.S. Blues, Mars Hotel (Grateful Dead) (1974).