Pomona Valley Sunday

By the time it was all over, it was Sunday morning.
Father's Day.
My nineteen year old daughter and I had just seen a remarkable show from a vantage point made possible by general admission and our arriving at the renovated Fox Theatre over 4 hours before Wilco took the stage.

We were in the second row, behind a family of some preteens who were up way past bedtime. How did that nine year old know the words to "Passenger Side" or "California Stars" let alone "Hate it Here?" She came early to the show as well, clutching her vinyl copy of "Sky Blue Sky" which I am sure left the theater with Jeff Tweedy's signature. When Tweedy yelled out "you guys are awesome!" some folks in the beautiful old Fox may have thought he was talking to the crowd in general. We knew better. Even though earlier in the evening Tweedy had warned that we might be watching the end of an era (turned out one of the band members was turning 40) and his guitar gave out during "Impossible Germany," he couldn't help but be joyous watching these young kids enjoy Wilco's music so much. Brought out the father in him.

Wilco has never sounded so tight, so on, so right.

When Tweedy came off the stage and handed this group of kids some picks and told them to strum his guitar during "Spiders" it was truly a magical moment. One that those youngsters will never forget. One that my daughter and I won't forget either. Happy Father's Day, Jeff.


Wilco at the Fox Theater, Pomona, June 20, 2009
Main set
Wilco (the song)
I Am Trying to Break Your Heart
Blue Black Nova
You Are My Face
One Wing
A Shot in the Arm
Radio Cure
Impossible Germany
(with super-long Nels Cline guitar solo as Jeff Tweedy’s guitar gives out and has to be swapped)
Deeper Down (its live debut)
Pick Up the Change
Can’t Stand It
Jesus, Etc.
Hate It Here
You Never Know
Theologians
Walken
I’m the Man Who Loves You
Hummingbird

First encore
Passenger Side
California Stars
Misunderstood (41 NOTHINGs at the end, plus Tweedy singing Happy Birthday to You to Pat Sansone, who turned 40 Saturday)
Spiders (Kidsmoke)

Second encore
Crowd sings Happy Birthday to You to Pat
Kingpin
Monday
Hoodoo Voodoo