An Oral History of Wilco Concerts I Attended
Here’s a look back at Tweedy’s song break banter through the years.
Bonaroo Music Festival, June 11, 2004, Manchester, TN
Jeff: This is off A Ghost Is Born, our new record that’s not out yet. Anybody here heard it?
Crowd: YEAH!!!
Jeff: How’d that happen? Oh yeah, oh yeah… modern world. Song’s called “Muzzle of Bees…”
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Jeff: This is a song off our record called Mermaid Avenue… Woody Guthrie lyrics… There aren’t any beach balls? What gives? … We want black beach balls. (Plays “One by One”)
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Jeff: Alright. Beach balls. Can we get some smoked salmon? Nope? Back rub? (Plays “I’m A Wheel”)
Uptown Mix, September 22, 2004, Nashville, TN
Jeff: Hey Tennessee. You guys gonna vote? Are you guys vote for Bush?!
Crowd: (Mixed response)
Jeff: FUCK NO! Jesus Christ. When will this madness end?! It’s fucking insane! It’s gotta end. I’m sick of it! I’m sick of being lied to! It’s fucking lies. Motherfucking non-stop lies. I can’t take any more of this bull shit! … Thank you. (Plays “Christ For President”)
Jeff: Jesus Christ would have finished his commitment to the Texas National Guard! I know that for a fact!
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Jeff: I don’t think he’s here, but Ken Coomer, our old drummer lives in this town... He’s always lived here. We love him. We’d like to send this song out to Ken, our second favorite drummer of all time. (Plays “Heavy Metal Drummer”)
Alabama Theatre, February 13, 2005, Birmingham, AL
Jeff: Hey, we just won a Grammy. (Plays “Late Greats”)
Chastain Amphitheater, June 19, 2007, Atlanta, GA
Jeff: I can’t believe you guys are willing to stand in the rain and get wet just so you can watch us play our instruments. (Plays “Walken”)
