When the weather’s on your side for a festival, there’s nothing quite like it. And on day two of Solid Sound, the sunshine felt damn good after damp and overcast Friday. Spontaneity was in the air, with pop-up performances taking place throughout the day in various buildings of Mass MoCA, and the crowd was abuzz with anticipation for early acts like Nick Offerman (performing in the Hunter Center) and pop folk duo Kacy and Clayton, who performed tunes off their forthcoming, Jeff Tweedy-produced record. The comedy shows filled up so quick so early, forcing many out into the beautiful day to discover something new.
And there was plenty to uncover. It was a day of kickass women delivering strong, emotional sets. Joan Shelley followed Kacy and Clayton, and performances by the Brooklyn band Big Thief and Deep Sea Diver, both fronted by women, drew large crowds. The former, led by singer-guitarist Adrianne Lenker, did fan favorites off their already beloved new record Capacity like “Real Love” and “Mythological Beauty”, interspersed with quieter acoustic tunes that made for an ideal midday “chill.” The latter, led by singer-guitarist Jessica Dobson, got the crowd on their feet, dancing and head banging to songs like “Always Waiting”, “See These Eyes” and “Creatures of Comfort” off their 2016 record Secrets.
Oddball additions like The Shaggs and Peter Wolf proved inconsistent but drew dense crowds of longtime devoted fans. But with surprise museum sets from acts like Waxahatchee and shorter, acoustic sets from artists in the lineup drew many indoors for a little respite from the sun. Installations from artists Nick Cave, Elizabeth King, Jenny Holzer, Tanja Hollander and more had festivalgoers so engaged, there seemed to be a mad rush to get back outside for some of the later afternoon sets. Of those, Kevin Morby’s was king. The moody rocker played songs off his brand new record City Music and was joined by his incredible, tight band, led by another badass female, Meg Duffy (Hand Habits). Duffy’s mind-bending guitar solos stole the show.
On the main stage, Kurt Vile and the Violators performed the opening set for Wilco, doing songs off Vile’s 2015 b’lieve i’m goin down… and 2011’s Smoke Ring for My Halo, and appealing to the slackers in all of us. It was a treat to see him perform such a flawless set, and his guitar shredding set the tone for the rest of the night. When Wilco finally appeared, it was clear we were in for a lengthy, polished set. Their stunning backdrop sets of color changing leaves, countless guitar changes between Nels Cline and Tweedy, and a hypnotic light show made for a hell of a production.
“We’re not gonna play another album in its entirety again tonight,” Tweedy announced a few songs in. “If you like [Being There] and [Yankee Hotel Foxtrot] you should have been here last night,” he joked. And as promised, they played an array of songs spanning several records, old and new. Highlights in the more than 20-song set came in the form of an electrifying guitar jam on “Impossible Germany”, epic sing-alongs on “Passenger Side” and “Company in My Back”, gorgeous choruses on new song “Cry All Day” (off 2016’s Schmilco) and many songs off 1999’s Summerteeth, including “Via Chicago”, “Can’t Stand It” (in an encore) and “I’m Always in Love”.
Two encores finished the night, and the band did not hold back. They rocked hard on “Random Name Generator”, “I’m a Wheel” and “Hate it Here”. But the real shining moment of the show came at the very end during “Hoodoo Voodoo” when a recognizable Wilco roadie joined the guys onstage, shirtless and bringing serious “more cowbell.” It was rowdy, spontaneous and full of love, much like the whole day.
