Wilco/Photo: Peter Crosby
I haven’t wanted to go to Massachusetts this much since I first heard “The Modern Lovers.” Not only are Chicago’s current favorite sons Wilco performing, but they also curated the musical lineup, meaning that there really are no duds at this year’s Solid Sound Festival, and there is something for everyone (unless, I guess, if you’re looking for hip-hop, speed metal, or bagpipe music, or something like that).
Hrishikesh Hirway of Song Exploder podcast fame will talk with Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy, or maybe Jeff will talk with Hirway, since Wilco’s “Magnetized” was featured in 2015 (from their “Star Wars” album—sadly, Tweedy didn’t address that infamous “no trademark on titles” loophole in that interview).
FRIDAY
I’ve been hoping for a double bill of these bands, but I think the closest I can get is both of them on the same day: Horsegirl are like Scrawl meet The Raincoats, and they play earlier on Friday, while perpetrators of busy instrumental post-rock Horse Lords close out the night, opposite a DJ set by Sylvan Esso.
But thankfully, Mikael Jorgensen and Mikaela Davis, whose only similarity is their names, are scheduled on different days, avoiding more horsing around with confusing nomenclature. Jorgensen has been playing the keys for Wilco since joining their “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot” tour in 2002 as a “sound manipulator,” and in addition to being a composer and producer, his most recent projects have included a collaboration with Sharon Van Etten (“Moneyball Blues”), Expandards, Lizard Music and Quindar. He’s also recorded multiple solo recordings on piano, so it should be a real treat to see him on stage in his own right.
Sandwiched between all of this awesome loveliness is the Phoenix-born, Cape Cod-inspired Courtney Marie Andrews, who spent a recent summer penning a song per day, delivering the Sam Evian-produced “Loose Future” in 2022. The results couple the laid-back ease of a Sam Phillips or Rickie Lee Jones, but judging by the delicate strength of this songbird, she might be the next Joni Mitchell. It’s a surprising turn for someone who learned guitar as a latchkey kid, played in high-school punk bands and, at eighteen, became a touring member of Jimmy Eat World. Time has seriously passed, though, and her previous record, 2020’s “Old Flowers,” scored a Grammy nomination for best Americana album.
Have I mentioned that Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit also play on day one? He (and his band) could headline their own fest, and merit more than a cursory mention here. Yet, the next two days deserve some words as well.
Given that it’s their party and they’ll play if they want to, Wilco also promises a set of “deep cuts” on Friday.
SATURDAY
Saturday morning, don’t know what to do? Well, sleep in, but don’t miss the fabulous Fenne Lily, who kicks things off at noon. She makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up like no one has since I first heard Mimi Parker from Low sing (not that anyone can replace her). Check out “What’s Good” from 2018’s “On Hold” for a prime example of her gifted voice and nuanced lyrics.
Let’s not forget that Wilco (yes, they play again later on Saturday) is not the only pride of Chicago. To wit, the witty and rocking Ratboys also take the stage in the early afternoon. Their 2023 album, “The Window,” was voted the best of the year by the DJs and volunteers at Chicago’s CHIRP Radio (out of almost 300 releases that received “best of” votes). Most recently, Ratboys have been opening for The Decemberists on their mostly sold-out tour.
Continuing through the afternoon, Joanna Sternberg channels (and sometimes one-ups) Carole King, Young Fresh Fellows continue to mine their vein of humorous and thoughtful guitar-driven pop and Soul Glo’s confrontational deconstructed punk confounds.
From across the pond comes the British plainspoken post-punk of Dry Cleaning. Imagine a female-fronted Art Brut, without the jokiness, but amidst a swarm of loud mosquitoes. For a more bass-heavy, American approach, with (at least simulated) string accompaniment, see also Brooklyn duo (and former Chicagoans) Water From Your Eyes, who perform just before the permanently pressed.
Worldwide treasure and “Sensitive Man” Nick Lowe continues to perform with Los Straightjackets as his backing band, and both Ethiopian jazz keyboard/accordion luminary Hailu Mergia and Nigerian outfit Etran de L’Aïr provide some much needed eclecticism, the latter promising a rousing set to get even the folkies moving.
I would be remiss if I didn’t at least mention numerous comedy opportunities, anchored by the brilliant and understated John Hodgman, running for most of Saturday, from noon to 5:30pm.
Mikaela Davis is a talented harpist, singer, writer and band leader who, in the five years since her debut album “Delivery,” has shared the stage with Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Christian McBride, Bon Iver, Lake Street Dive and Circles Around the Sun. Without for a moment sounding derivative, she evokes Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks a la “Gold Dust Woman” on her song “Cinderella,” from her most recent record, “And Southern Star,” released last year via Kill Rock Stars. Davis and her other four bandmates collaborated on that record as co-producers; despite playing together for over a decade, the most recent record is the first time the quintet has appeared on a full-length album together. I wouldn’t miss Davis and her band playing live to pull the plug on Saturday night.
Also tempting, however, is enigmatic guitarist Marc Ribot performing his live score to 1924’s “Aelita: Queen of Mars.” The film is reportedly the first full-length science fiction movie ever made, a work by the Soviet filmmaker Yakov Protazanov.
Or, there’s another DJ set from Sylvan Esso.
SUNDAY
Sunday promises multiple highlights: Appalachian folk icon Iris DeMent will bring her achingly beautiful alto pipes. Miracle Legion, the coulda-been shoulda-been heirs to R.E.M.’s place in the “college guitar rock” uprising of the mid-1980s, have returned too.
I’m sad to say I was a late listener for the most recent full-length from Wednesday, but their song “Bull Believer” might have been the most magical and cathartic moment of 2023—beautiful and terrifying, sublime and heart-wrenching, everything, everywhere, all at once. The rest of last year’s record, “Rat Saw God,” is also a highly recommended sonic experience.
Jazz geniuses Mary Halvorson (guitar) and Tomas Fujiwara (drums) have been collaborating for eighteen years, but mainly as part of each other’s projects, so seeing them perform together as a duo will be a rare treat. Halvorson has played with Tim Berne, Taylor Ho Bynum, Trevor Dunn, Ingrid Laubrock, Myra Melford, Jason Moran, Joe Morris, Tom Rainey, the aforementioned Marc Ribot and Ches Smith. Fujiwara has drummed with Tomeka Reid, Matana Roberts, Nicole Mitchell, Ben Goldberg, Amir ElSaffar and Benoit Delbecq, to name a few. Both Halvorson and Fujiwara have worked with Anthony Braxton, Tomeka Reid and John Zorn.
If you’re concerned you may not have had enough of the Wilco-verse (or the Tweedy-verse), never fear, as the third day will also include 1960s-style rock/pop purveyors The Autumn Defense, started in 1999 by John Stirratt, best known for his work as bassist for Wilco and their predecessor, Uncle Tupelo, along with his pal Pat Sansone, known for his work with Joseph Arthur and Josh Rouse. Saccata Quartet featuring Nels Cline, Darin Gray, Chris Corsano and Glenn Kotche will supply some innovative and avant-garde beautiful noise, and Jeff Tweedy and Friends will pull the curtain down on this solid sounding weekend.
Wilco’s Solid Sound Festival will take place June 28-30 at MASS MoCA, 1040 Mass MoCA Way, North Adams, Massachusetts. Gates open at Friday, 3pm; Saturday, 11am; and Sunday, 10am. Tickets are $114-$299, available here.
