Watch: Jeff Tweedy Welcomes Scott McCaughey in Portland for “Dear Employer” and PNW Standard “Louie Louie”
On Tuesday evening, Jeff Tweedy took his current live outing to Portland, Ore.’s Revolution Hall, for the first in a two-night series of performances. During the event, which arrived in support of Tweedy’s latest triple solo album, Twilight Override, the bandleader reprised his current concert motif of nodding to the city or particular residents during the concert’s encore. Last night’s delivery struck a personal chord for Tweedy, who welcomed an old friend and collaborator, Scott McCaughey, on the Minus 5-released, Tweedy-produced “Dear Employer,” before the band and their guest sparked Pacific Northwest standard, “Louie Louie.”
Tuesday’s finale trailed a massive sweep through the ribs that make up Tweedy’s fifth solo studio album, in addition to a light sampling of pieces off Love is King, Warm and Warmer, as well as throwbacks to his original Tweedy family band with sons Spencer and Sammy. After going around the stage and giving praise to each member of the ensemble, the evening’s encore began with a fitting “Family Ghost,” considering the haunt of friends and family on stage.
Next, Tweedy brought out a friend and Portland resident, Scott McCaughey, to perform “Dear Employer.” The aforementioned track represented the final piece of The Minus 5’s 2023 collaboration LP, Down with Wilco, which featured the Chicago mainstays as the primary instrumental backers. During last night’s run-through, McCaughey took the lyrical lead while also tossing lines back and forth that informed “The reason that I quit.”
McCaughey appeared to have fun on stage, at one point making his way over to Sammy Tweedy and playfully cascading his fingers above the keys. Rather than leave it there, Tweedy addressed the audience ahead of their final cover, telling the Portland crowd, “We’re not going to play this one again either. Scott is going to help us with the quintessential Pacific Northwest tune of all time,” the introduction accounted for The Kingsmen’s beloved recording, “Louie Louie.”
Relix was on location for last night’s concerts. Watch a clip below.
