Hot on the heels of their 'Philco' performance with Phil Lesh & Friends, Wilco headed to Beach Road Weekend Music Festival in Martha's Vineyard, Mass. The performance was a highlight of the event, which took place at Veteran’s Memorial Park from Friday, Aug. 26 through Sunday, Aug. 28, and towards the end of the set, the band brought out their old friend Jason Isbell to join them on "California Stars."
The previous evening Jason Isbell and his band The 400 Unit closed out the evening on the festival's Black Dog Stage, while on Sunday, Wilco closed the festival by headlining on the Lighthouse stage. During the set, Wilco, led by Jeff Tweedy, performed 17 songs, including "Jesus, Etc.," "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart," "Impossible Germany," "Via Chicago," which was a highlight of the 'Philco' show, "Hummingbird," and more. After 13 tracks, Isbell joined on stage for "California Stars"–a song penned by Woody Guthrie and recorded by Wilco and Billy Bragg on their collaborative 1998 album, Mermaid Avenue.
It's notable that Isbell has joined Wilco on the beloved track several times before, including 2016's Mountain Jam festival and 2015's Minneapolis' Basilica Block Party. Towards the end of the song, Isbell and Wilco guitarist Nels Cline shared a musical back and forth, highlighting their individual skill and raising the intensity for the remainder of the set.
Watch a video featuring yesterday’s “California Stars” below.
Wilco
Veteran’s Memorial Park – Vineyard Haven, Mass.
Aug. 28
Set: Handshake Drugs, I Am My Mother, Cruel Country, I Am Trying to Break Your Heart, Hints, War on War, If I Ever Was a Child, Via Chicago, Story to Tell, Hummingbird Bird, Without a Tail / Base of My Skull, Jesus, Etc., Impossible Germany, California Stars, Box Full of Letters, Falling Apart (Right Now), Spiders (Kidsmoke)
