Say what you want about Wilco, they know how to keep things interesting. Last year the band released their album Cruel Country, an exploration into a genre they have actively avoided being grouped into. Their take on the classic southern twang landed them on countless “Best of 2022” lists and rightfully so. The album sees the band crafting vulnerable songs that play on classic country tropes without sounding like a carbon copy. This past Friday (January 20), Cruel Country finally got a physical release with vinyl and CD copies of the album going out to record stores across the country and that is just the start of Wilco’s country-tinged victory lap.
Along with the physical releases of their latest LP, the band is taking the 12th studio album on the road this spring. The tour will have the band traveling around the world including stops in the U.K., Iceland, and Chicago. The most interesting aspect of their upcoming tour is how the tour is kicking off. The first 9 shows of their spring tour will be made up of three different three-day residencies. These short residencies will take place in Chicago to kick everything off, followed by a stay at The Capitol Theater in Port Chester, NY and the third residency will be their already sold-out shows in Iceland. There is a caveat to these residencies, Wilco promises to not play the same song twice at any of their three-night excursions. Meaning that if they perform “Jesus, Etc.” on night one, don’t expect to hear it on night two or three.
With the band’s catalog now spanning decades, this shouldn’t be a problem for the Jeff Tweedy-led band. What this does mean is that the band may have to dig up some classic B-sides to fill out these setlists, but which ones? Glide has punched the numbers on this to uncover ten of the band’s most underperformed tracks with the hope that they will squeeze into one of their upcoming residencies.
*All stats and numbers taken from setlist.fm
“Black Moon“
Album: The Whole Love (2011)
This cult classic from Wilco’s underrated 2011 album is one of the band’s most gentle songs. Tweedy’s whispering vocals over the twinkling acoustic guitar makes it stand out from the rest of the LP. Since its initial release, “Black Moon” has only been played live 43 times. The last time the band played this song live was back in 2013 when the band was initially touring for The Whole Love.
“Panthers“
Album: Ghost Is Born (Deluxe) (2014)
This is a deep cut some casual Wilco fans might have even missed. “Panthers” comes off of the deluxe version of their 2004 album A Ghost Is Born and ended up being placed on the 2014 box set Alpha Mike Foxtrot: Rare Tracks 1994-2014. Wilco has played this song live 20 times since its release with their last time performing it taking place in 2015 on their tour for the Star Wars album.
“Pieholden Suite“
Album: Summerteeth (1999)
Before their 2022 tour, the band’s classic ballad “Pieholden Suite” sat on the sidelines of their setlists. The piano-driven track has only been performed 21 times with 8 of those coming from their 2022 shows. Prior to the song being revived into the setlist, the band had not performed it live since 2014 on their 20th Anniversary Tour. Hopefully, they continue the streak of keeping this classic on their setlist for their 2023 shows.
“Just A Kid“
Album: The Spongebob Squarepants Movie Soundtrack (2004)
Despite the humor that can be found in the idea that Wilco contributed to a Nickelodeon original movie, “Just A Kid” is as Wilco as you can get outside of their studio albums. The up-tempo rock-tinged track was once a part of the band’s setlist but not for that long. The soundtrack song has only been performed live 14 times with the last time taking place in 2014 on their 20th Anniversary Tour. While it may seem like an odd choice, listen to the song for yourself and decide if the fun-loving energy of the song wouldn’t sound great live.
“Nope“
Album: Schmilco (2016)
Coming off one of Wilco’s most underrated releases, “Nope” is the folk-rock anthem that sounds like it was made to be performed live. The head-nodding tempos of this song have not seen the light of day since 2017 and has only been performed live a total of 12 times since its release. The band performed throughout their tour of Schmilco in 2016 and after that, it disappeared into the Wilco abyss, just waiting to be thrown on the next setlist.
“An Empty Corner“
Album: Ode to Joy (2019)
This slow-burner of an album outro from the band’s highly praised 11th studio album has barely gotten a chance to prove itself in a living setting. Only being played a total of 13 times, this is another beautiful track from Wilco that was put to the side after touring the LP it came from. The last time the band pulled this one out was in 2020 at the band’s Sky Blue Sky festival which took place in Mexico that year.
“Open Mind“
Album: The Whole Love (2011)
Wilco’s The Whole Love album ironically does not get enough love. “Open Mind” sees Tweedy at his best with its introspective lyrics and dreary arrangement. Since it made its way into the world back in 2011, “Open Mind” has only made its way onto 11 setlists from the band. Their most recent time performing the song was back in 2013 at the iconic Stubb’s Bar-B-Q in Austin, Texas.
“Blue Eyed Soul“
Album: A.M. (1995)
Considering that “Blue Eyed Soul” is from the album that started it all, its lack of representation on Wilco’s setlist feels almost criminal. The sentimental alt-country tune has only been brought to a live audience 7 times since its initial release in its nearly three-decade lifespan. The last time the band broke out this song was in 2014 when the band celebrated their 20th anniversary with a tour, this song in particular got added to their setlist during their stop in Chicago.
“Everlasting Everything“
Album: Wilco (The Album) (2009)
Another underrated Wilco album closer lost in the band’s discography, “Everlasting Everything” is a heartfelt ballad with enough energy in its swelling arrangement to have any crowd in awe. Since it was released in 2009, the song has only been performed 4(!) times. Their last live rendition of “Everlasting Everything” occurred in 2014 on the band’s 20th Anniversary tour, a tour where a lot of these deep cuts seem to have had their one last hoorah.
“Dash 7“
Album: A.M. (1995)
For those looking for nostalgia in Wilco’s work, “Dash 7” is a dream addition to a setlist. The emotional acoustic track has only been played 3 times live, none of which happened when the song first entered the world in 1995. This deepcut from the band’s debut was first played live in 2008 in Chicago and the last time Wilco performed it was at the same venue, the Riviera Theater, in 2014. Not to mention their performance of “Dash 7” in 2011, also in Chicago but this time at Lincoln Hall.
