It was the ultimate rock and roll marathon for the second day of Solid Sound, from wild garage punk to noisy, experimental prog-rock. Despite a forecast that showed hostile periods of thunderstorms (and even hail showers), the sun overcame the clouds and beat down heavily on the crowds. As always with the grounds of Mass MoCA, with its boxy courtyards and industrial pathways, shade was nearly impossible to find, which meant the freckles were out in full force, and many a tee shirt was soaked through. But it was all in the name of rock and roll, starting with the melodic pop songs of Foxwarren, let by the soft harmonies of Andy Shauf. The group eased us into what promised to be a long day with songs off their recent self-titled release.
Spotty rain showers meant the cool air-conditioned museum beckoned, and there was much to discover inside, from subversive, political pop art, to true rock and roll photography, sculptures, sound installations and more. A quick venture through one wing of Mass MoCA was just enough of a break from the oppressive heat before Chicago gal-group Ohmme drew one of the day’s more impressive crowds. A trio led by Macie Stewart and Sima Cunningham, Ohmme released their debut LP in 2018, and brought their powerhouse vocals to the stage at Solid Sound, getting the crowd extra randy with their cover of the B52s’ “Give Me Back My Man.”
Later, The Minus 5 kept the Solid Sound crowd on their feet, dancing like mad during the peak of the day’s heat. An energetic set with Linda Pitmon on the drums, Peter Buck rocking out, and a special appearance by Steve Wynn, it’s safe to say The Minus 5 were the stars of the day and belonged on the main stage, not a courtyard. Elsewhere, Cate Le Bon delivered an expressive, stylish set as the sun sunk behind the clouds, with Jeff Tweedy even joining her for her final few numbers.
By the time The Feelies took the stage, the crowd was ready for the night’s main event, which meant their set was the ideal warmup for Wilco’s big moment. Tweedy made an appearance once again and helped the group rock out. When it was time for Wilco to play their final set together of the weekend, they brought the house down from beneath draping garlands of leaves and lights. The fanciful set décor, made all the more hypnotic by an incredible light show, was the perfect backdrop for the band to annihilate such fan favorites as “Impossible Germany” and “I Am Trying to Break Your Heart,” and even a few new songs. Other standouts in the set were a soft, heart-wrenching “Reservations” and a one-two punch of “I Got You (At the End of the Century)” and “Outtasite (Outta Mind),” blended into each other to close things out before a brief encore. Wilco’s set of nearly 25 songs made sure we all left feeling satiated and ready to rest for the final day. It was an explosive and perfectly tight collection of songs for dancing, drawing your loved ones close and gazing up at the stars, realizing how lucky you were to be right there.
