Jeff Tweedy and his band performed at the Paramount Theatre in Austin, Texas on November 12th. The group played a few new tunes to a crowd of old souls.
Jeff Tweedy, frontman of Wilco, played a solo show at the gorgeous Paramount Theatre on November 12th. This past September, he released a triple album titled Twilight Override. The project is decadent, like a sweet chocolate cake. Maybe I shouldn’t have binged it all in one sitting, but the flavor of the songs kept me going back for more.
His new album welcomes a child-like expression, unafraid to fail and succeeding beautifully in the process. Jeff Tweedy has an appreciation for subtlety, from the tone in his voice, to the details of his outfit. The night of the show, he sported a handsome grey jacket and admitted that Sammy, his son and bandmate, had just teased him for wearing it before the show. Family has a funny way of humbling you, even when you’re one of the biggest rock stars alive. Their on-stage banter was so sweet, it was nice to see him comfortable on stage with his two sons, Spencer and Sammy. He had a generous spirit, his glow spreading like light bouncing off mirrors.
Tweedy and his band played several new tracks off the album including One Tiny Flower, Love is for Love, New Orleans, Stray Cats in Spain and KC Rain (No Wonder), which happens to be my favorite track off the album.
The lyrics, “when I’m sleeping, I’m with you” hit my heart hard. The grief in his voice was so haunting. To hear it live felt like being an insect floating down the river on a leaf; so at peace with being insignificant. In an NPR podcast titled, “Why Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy still finds joy in troubled times”, Jeff admits, “I think that if I had not had this certain twists and turns of cosmic luck that we’re talking about – I’m dreaming about being a guy that had found a different thing and would be engaged in his passions and sharing it with somebody else. I’m talking about all the alternative ‘mes’ in that song”. He sang with sorrow, exposing his heart, allowing any isolation inside to dissolve.
Towards the end of the show, Jeff hopped on the mic to say goodbye and, with urgency in his voice, he pleaded to the crowd, “don’t wait, start your own band today!”. He then proceeded to introduce his band and sent the crowd away with homework, listing each member’s most recent project. You could tell he was genuinely proud to be playing alongside his band members, they were a tight community.
Macie Stewart opened the show and Sima Cunningham joined her at the end. The two bounced off each other so well, it should be no surprise that the duo has a band of their own called Findom (which Spencer Tweedy plays drums for). Macie and Sima also have a place in Jeff Tweedy’s band, along with Sima’s brother, Liam Kazar, who plays guitar. I think everyone left inspired to play music with their loved ones. The show was a needed reminder to lean into life’s simplicity.
I am a student at Texas State studying Digital Media and Psychology. I am always carrying my camera with me, it feels like my true voice. Some of my favorite artists are Courtney Barnett, Tainy, Frank Ocean, Art Lown, Fleshwater, Turnover, SZA and Wynton Kelly. Central Texas always has talented people passing through and I try to catch as many shows I can. I really love fashion, part of the fun of going to a concert is seeing what the artists wear on stage and everyone's outfits in the crowd. I tend to use musical elements in my fashion photography, the two are so intertwined to me. I also love to read and run, but not always at the same time.
