Wilco
The Fairgrounds at the Salt Shed
Chicago, Illinois
June 15, 2024

Location: Floor, ~35 feet back, in line with the left stack

Source: DPA 4060 => Tascam DR-2d
Conversion: WAV => Audio Cleaning Lab => FLAC (16-bit)

Track listing:

CD1 (69:13):
(1) Misunderstood (5:52)
(2) War On War (3:22)
(3) Side With The Seeds (5:03)
(4) I Am My Mother (3:06)
(5) (Medical emergency) (3:29)
(6) Cruel Country (3:32)
(7) Banter (0:22)
(8) I Am Trying To Break Your Heart (5:08)
(9) One Wing (4:04)
(10) If I Ever Was a Child (3:07)
(11) Banter (0:50)
(12) Evicted (3:32)
(13) Banter (0:18)
(14) Random Name Generator (4:38)
(15) Bird Without a Tail => Base Of My Skull (10:04)
(16) Cousin (4:32)
(17) Either Way (3:34)
(18) You Never Know (4:31)

CD2 (52:35):
(1) Impossible Germany (10:12)
(2) Whole Love (4:31)
(3) Meant To Be (4:20)
(4) Jesus, Etc. (4:05)
(5) Banter (0:47)
(6) Heavy Metal Drummer (3:05)
(7) I'm The Man Who Loves You (3:54)
(8) Encore break (2:35)
(9) California Stars (4:53)
(10) Banter (0:54)
(11) Falling Apart (Right Now) (3:37)
(12) Monday (4:03)
(13) Outta Sight (Outta Mind) (2:47)
(14) I'm a Wheel (2:47)

There are no fades applied to this recording; if you choose to burn to CD, the above splits are just a suggestion.

Comments: This recording represents the second of two sold-out nights for the band, who were still promoting 2023's "Cousin."

The performance was excellent; better than the first night even though it was 15 minutes shorter. The setlist was better (this is subjective; "You Never Know" and "One Wing" are among my favorite Wilco songs and they don't often make the setlist anymore) and more uptempo. Roughly half the set was different from the first night, as a reward for the frequent flyers.

I learned from the first night where to stand, so the recording is fuller and more immediate than the prior show. I recognized some of the offending talkers from the first night and positioned myself out of range of the mics. I'm quite satisfied with the recording.

There was a time when Wilco shows in Chicago would have an assortment of tapers present. I think interest has fallen off over the last couple of albums, and the band's new anti-taper stance has deterred some of the more casual fans who might have come just for the opportunity to tape a show. These two recordings might be the only ones that circulate from these nights (by all means, if you taped the shows and they are equal to or better than this recording, please either post them or reach out to me).

Recommended if you are even a Wilco fan who wonders what they've been up to.

Check out the samples in the comments if in doubt.