Wilco at The Capitol Theatre (October 30, 2014)

After catching the first night of Wilco’s sold out 3-night run at The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, I was fortunate to attend the third night thanks to a bit of good luck and kindness from our very own Dana Pacifico.

The show continued the celebration of the 20th anniversary of one of America’s finest, and the setlist was much more favorable than the first night (in my opinion). It’s amazing that Wilco played 90 songs throughout all three nights, doing no repeats, making each show truly special and unique for all those lucky enough to be in attendance.

They delighted us with tracks like “Bull Black Nova,” “I Am Trying To Break Your Heart,” “Summer Teeth,” “Via Chicago,” “Whole Love,” and “Passenger Side.” Jeff Tweedy and co seemed to be having a lot of fun with the set, noticing the sole two people dressed in costume for a little pre-Halloween fun and giving them a shout out (and even questioning a mask-less Zorro). The regular set ended with “Outtasite (Outta Mind)” while the encore kicked off appropriately with “Outta Mind (Outta Sight).”

The highlight of not only the show, but possibly of this entire year of show-going for me came during “Impossible Germany” (one of my favorite Wilco songs) when Nels Cline ripped into a mind-blowing guitar solo that was so intense and evocative that I was hit with goosebumps. Even Jeff Tweedy and the rest of Wilco were left amazed spectators just like the rest of us, smiling amongst each other as Nels continued his extended solo. At the end of the incredible performance, the entirety of the Port Chester crowd rose in unison applauding what was undoubtedly one of the finest guitar solos that you’ll ever see in person. Just an amazing moment that I will never forget.

They returned for a final second encore that concluded with an acoustic, crowd-participating cover of The Grateful Dead’s “Ripple,” an appropriate one considering The Dead’s history at the historic venue.

They just don’t quite make them like Wilco these days. It’s been a wonderful 20 years, and here’s for hoping for a glorious 20 more. I know they got it in them.

Setlist posted below, along with some (mediocre) iPhone photos. I’ve also shared a great recording of their performance of “Impossible Germany” from this show, thanks to our friends at NYCtaper.

Setlist:

1. Less Than You Think
2. Blood of the Lamb (Billy Bragg & Wilco)
3. In a Future Age
4. Bull Black Nova
5. I Am Trying to Break Your Heart
6. One Wing
7. Either Way
8. Bob Dylan’s 49th Beard
9. At My Window Sad and Lonely (Billy Bragg & Wilco)
10. One by One (Billy Bragg & Wilco)
11. Hesitating Beauty (Billy Bragg & Wilco)
12. Summer Teeth
13. Via Chicago
14. Whole Love
15. Say You Miss Me
16. Pick Up the Change
17. Forget the Flowers
18. Passenger Side
19. I’m Always in Love
20. Candyfloss
21. Red-Eyed and Blue
22. I Got You (At the End of the Century)
23. Outtasite (Outta Mind)