Watch: Wilco Nod to Jerry Garcia’s Birthday on “U.S. Blues,” Join Willie Nelson for “Will the Circle Be Unbroken?” and “I’ll Fly Away” During Outlaw Music Festival Appearances

Photo: Bill Kelly

Willie Nelson’s Outlaw Music Festival pedaled into Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, N.Y., on Friday, August 1. During the event, which was billed to feature independent sets from Waylon Payne, Lucinda Williams, Wilco, Bob Dylan and Nelson & Family, particular players sought opportunities to place thoughtful nods and added personnel into specific spots, among them, the Jeff Tweedy-led ensemble worked up to the arrival of longtime Nelson collaborator, and harmonica legend, Mickey Raphael on the Billy Bragg co-release/ Woody Gutherie scribed, “California Stars.” Wilco followed up from the sit-in by paying homage to Jerry Garcia on his birthday, by covering the Grateful Dead’s “U.S. Blues.” 

Wilco’s Dead connection extends to 2022’s Sacred Rose Festival in Chicago, when Tweedy and Nels Cline joined Phil Lesh and members of the jam scene for a special set of collaborations, and the resulting arrival of “US Blues” in the band’s repertoire. During Wilco’s frame on Sunday, August 3, the band demonstrated their knowledge of the San Francisco happenstance in tribute to 60 years of Grateful Dead music, by once again concluding their frame with the same 1974 From the Mars Hotel release. 

Nelson used his stage time on Friday to welcome guests, including Waylon Payne, who helped out on a cover of Merle Haggard’s “Workin’ Man Blues,” and Kris Kristofferson’s “Help Me Make It Through the Night” and “Me and Bobby McGee.” Later on, during the final run of songs, the members of Wilco supported Nelson during “Will the Circle Be Unbroken?” At Saturday’s show, the Chicago band sought their entry during a different number, this time backing Nelson during “I’ll Fly Away.” Ultimately, during Outlaw Country’s most recent stop, on Sunday at the Bank of New Hampshire at Meadowbrook in Gilford, N.H., Wilco helped Nelson on the William MacEwan original once more. 

Notably, during Dylan’s Outlaw appearance on Friday, August 1, he performed a cover of “Searching for a Soldier’s Grave” for the second time this calendar year, after busting it out during his concert on July 29, which effectively capped a 23-year lapse of deliveries. Then, on Saturday, August 2, he switched the placements of his opening number, pushing “Positively 4th Street” to slot one, rather than the expected “Gotta Serve Somebody,” and kept that placement fixed during Sunday’s follow-up. 

The 10th anniversary tour picks back up on August 8 at Buffalo’s Darien Lake Amphitheater. Tickets remain on sale via blackbirdpresents.com.