Jeff Tweedy at Islington Assembly Hall

Jeff Tweedy

Macie Stewart

Islington Assembly Hall, 20 February 2026

What an amazing evening seeing Jeff Tweedy tonight with a youthful band that features his two sons and their friends and showcased his last solo album, the fabulous Twilight Override. Honestly still on a huge high from this one and it's made me remember just why I have always loved Tweedy's music so much!

Wilco at the Royal Albert Hall

Wilco

Deep Sea Diver

Royal Albert Hall, 22 June 2025 

About twenty years ago, Wilco were my absolute favourite band. I was actually a little obsessed with them and managed to see them live many times including several Jeff Tweedy solo shows. A few of those gigs were sublime almost life-changing experiences for me but in recent years I had moved on to other obsessions. Their last album, Cousin, though was so good that it kind of reawakened my love for Wilco and it shocked me to discover that it's actually been 15 years since I last saw them live (although I did see Jeff Tweedy solo in 2014). I was determined to fix this and when they announced, what is certainly their biggest ever London show at the grandiose and legendary Royal Albert Hall, I paid more than I've ever paid for a Wilco show and bought a ticket.

Album reviews...

Since I'm not going to any gigs this month here's a couple of album reviews I've written for Rebeat Magazine in recent months...

Tweedy at the London Palladium

Tweedy
Arc Iris
London Palladium, 4 November 2014

"Tonight we're going to be playing songs from the album I've recorded with my son, Spencer," said Jeff Tweedy at the start of the show tonight, "then I'll play some older songs on my own and after that, well, who knows! I might re-enact scenes from The Lion King!" And that pretty much sums up Tweedy's appearance at the London Palladium: new songs, old tunes and lots of funny chat from the man himself. Jeff's quips and good-humoured banter with the audience may seem run of the mill stuff but given that he used to be incredibly grumpy on stage and even used to start fights with the crowd (the first London Wilco show ended in a punch-up I'm told) it's actually one of the best parts of the show.

Best gigs of 2010

This year I don't think I've ever been so many seated gigs but I have to say it's been pretty nice to not only have a guaranteed place and not be pushed around but also have a nice little sit down during the show. I guess I'm getting old because I used to measure how good a concert was by the amount of bruises I sustained throughout. Maybe because of this there wasn't as many shows that blew me away (aside from the first three) but I have to say that overall I've seen some fantastic gigs this year and got to see a few legends in the process. So, in descending order, here's my 10 favourite shows from 2010 (with links to the original write-ups). Let's hope 2011 has just as many great concerts to look forward to.

10. Ryan Bingham & The Dead Horses at Bush Hall

9. Robert Plant & The Band Of Joy at The Forum

8. She & Him at Koko

7. Crosby, Stills & Nash at Royal Albert Hall

6. Jeff Tweedy at Union Chapel

5. Elvis Costello at Royal Festival Hall

4. Joanna Newsom at Royal Festival Hall

3. Rickie Lee Jones at Union Chapel

2. Iggy & The Stooges at Hammersmith Apollo

1. Kris Kristofferson at Cadogan Hall

Wilco at the Royal Festival Hall

Wilco
Philip Selway
Royal Festival Hall, 14 September 2010
Surprisingly, given Radiohead’s status as one of the biggest and best bands in the world today, when I arrive at the Festival Hall in time to see support act Philip Selway (aka Radiohead’s drummer), there are a worrying amount of empty seats. Maybe it’s because the shows here start early at 7.30pm on the dot and the bar is outside the theatre in the foyer or that Phil Selway isn’t exactly the most famous name in Radiohead (I tend to subscribe to the booze theory though), but for whatever reason those folks who only turned up to see Wilco definitely missed out.

Jeff Tweedy at the Union Chapel

Photo of Jeff and Bill Fay by Marianne (catgirl) via Songkick

Jeff Tweedy

Union Chapel, 30 June 2010

About five years ago I saw Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy play solo at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire and despite it being a magical show, stuck somewhere in the middle, I could hardly see a thing. This time, at the far more intimate Union Chapel, a much more suitable venue for an acoustic show, I wanted to make sure I had a good view and, after turning up early, it paid off and I scored a prime position in the front pew. But before I could enjoy this perfect seat, there was a rather bizarre opening act to endure.

Wilco at The Forum

Wilco

The Forum, 4 November 2009

A few years ago I saw Placebo play the Reading Festival where they had the misfortune of their bass amp breaking down mid set. It was a painfully boring set anyway, I had seen them years earlier where they seemed more in their element playing small venues, but on the huge stage they lacked the charisma to fill it and the situation was made even worse when their equipment failed. But rather than adapting and making the best out of a bad situation by maybe talking to the crowd while the problem was fixed, or singer Brian Molko performing something unplanned by himself, the band, without a word to the audience, walked off the stage and left the thousands in the packed audience just standing in the mud with no music or entertainment for 15 minutes, waiting for them to return. When they finally came back they resumed their set without a word and I completely lost any respect I had for them as a live band. A simple problem had left them flustered and unable to stray from what they had rehearsed and even communicate with the audience. But last night at the Forum, Wilco, and Jeff Tweedy in particular, proved what an incredible band they are by facing a similar situation and coming up triumphant.

Wilco at Troxy

 
Wilco
Blitzen Trapper
Troxy, 25 August 2009

Last month a friend-of-a-friend scoffed when I said I loved Wilco and their new album, told me Wilco hadn't been interesting in years. I guess I'm now in the minority thinking Wilco are still cool. Popularity = uncool to many sadly. Of course this guy hadn't seen them live in years and, in my humble opinion, the last time I saw them two years ago they were probably the best Wilco shows I'd ever seen. Whether or not you think they've "matured" or turned all "dad rock", every time I catch them live it convinces me once again they are still an incredible band and without a doubt one of the best live acts out there. And that's why I was especially excited to see them again, my seventh time no less. Plus they had a particularly cool support act lined up: Blitzen Trapper.