Last Saturday we ventured up to Avila Beach to catch Wilco outdoors at the Avila Beach Golf Resort, with the ocean, palms and hillsides as backdrop.  Twas the quintessential Central Coast concert.  And while Wilco (Jeff Tweedy, really) complained a bit about the sun, the rest of us reveled in the warm rays and warmth of friends, family and fellow followers.  It was the feelgood show of the year.  LA, you can have the cavernous Hollywood Bowl.  Between our Santa Barbara Bowl and this relatively nascent Avila Beach Resort venue, you can’t touch the Central Coast’s music venues.

Wilco began their set perfectly, with the quiet and contemplative One Sunday Morning, the superb final song off their most recent album, The Whole Love.  Check it out below.

After this sweet beginning, Wilco ( Jeff Tweedy, John Stirratt–whose bass playing and harmony vocals constantly shined through,  Nels Cline–one of the best guitar players extant, dream-drummer Glenn Kotche, gifted guitar/keys player Pat Sansone and Mikael Jorgensen) kicked it up and went on to play 25 songs in total, as you can see from the setlist way below.  Jeff Tweedy was in fine form and mood throughout, weaving songs and humor in and out throughout the day. Our song highlights were the opener, a comparatively-acoustic Spiders (Kidsmoke), Impossible Germany (featuring Nels Cline’s flawless guitar play), and the singalong of California Stars (see the latter below, apologies for the shaky video from the crowd-jostle). While some of the drama of indoor lighting was lost in the beach setting, Wilco’s mien this day meshed well with the surroundings and crowd.  They played songs from throughout their history, and while we would have liked more of our favorites from Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, on this day the setlist, band and venue couldn’t have been better.

Towards the end of their set Tweedy joked that “We’re trying to make a 6:30 tee time.” Thankfully, he quickly corrected: “I’m kidding. You will never see that happen.” But darned if they didn’t finish their encore at just about that time.  Regardless, the crowd left fully-sated.  It was a masterful day of music in completely agreeable Central Coast environs.

Check out photos below the setlist of Wilco and quirky, but lovable opener Jonathan Richman (with constant-companion Tommy Larkins on drums).

Setlist:

Main Set:

One Sunday Morning, Art Of Almost, I Might, Muzzle of Bees, Spiders (Kidsmoke), Impossible Germany, Born Alone, Shouldn’t Be Ashamed, Handshake Drugs, When You Wake Up Feeling Old, Whole Love, I Must Be High, I’m Always In Love, Heavy Metal Drummer, I’m The Man Who Loves You, Dawned On Me, Hummingbird, A Shot In The Arm

Encore:

Passenger Side, California Stars, Can’t Stand It, Walken, Monday, Outtasite (Outta Mind), Hoodoo Voodoo

All photos Lefort