FIELD NOTES: Jeff Tweedy, Islington Assembly Hall, 21st February 2026
Jeff Tweedy and his Band (Image: Damien Wilkinson)
A Day of Two Halves
Arriving at Euston station, London at 11am the concept and instructions were simple - head underground, overground to the Cherry Red Records Stadium to watch Bradford City take on the Wombles of AFC Wimbledon in an EFL League One Football match, then travel back to take in the Jeff Tweedy gig in North London.
Pre-match fayre
Arriving into Wimbledon, we headed to the excellent pub, The Alexandra, for a few drinks and a sausage butty of the highest order, before walking to the stadium on Plough Lane.
The Game
The less said about this, the better really.
After a delay in kick-off time due to the away team coach getting stuck in heavy traffic, the match, when it finally commenced, was a frustrating and disappointing 3-1 defeat for the Bantams.
A bleak afternoon at the Cherry Records Stadium (Image: Damien Wilkinson)
If nothing else though, it was a further ground ticked off my 92 Quest list.
North of Here
Suitably depressed, and with the rain coming down, we headed back northwards on the Thames Link to get ready for the gig.
The Gig
Sammy Tweedy, Liam Kazar, Macie Stewart, Jeff Tweedy, Spencer Tweedy and Sima Cunningham (Image: Damien Wilkinson)
My Back Pages
I’ve a long history of going to see Jeff Tweedy, dating back to 1995 when I saw his band Wilco support the Jayhawks (at Manchester Uni). I’ve regularly attended Wilco gigs in the UK since then, and also managed to see “Tweedy”, which showcased Jeff’s son Spencer, the drummer in the band, at the Manchester Ritz in 2015.
So, I was looking forward to seeing him ‘solo’ when he announced a couple of dates at the Islington Assembly Hall in London. It turned out that the second date on the Saturday night was the final date of the European leg of a tour that now wings its way back to North America, having played dates there in the second half of 2025.
Twilight Highlights
Tweedy was touring to promote triple album, “Twilight Override” released last year, and recorded with his sons, Sammy (Synths) and Spencer (drums), who joined the tour along with Sima Cunningham (bass), Macie Stewart (Violin, Guitars, Mellotron) and Liam Kazar (Guitars) brother of Sima.
A sold-out crowd was in attendance on a murky and wet February Saturday night in North London, and after a well received set by Sima Cunningham (who was also joined by fellow Finom bandmate, Macie Stewart on the final track), the stage was set for Tweedy and his band.
A no-frills stage setting for the band, they started proceedings by playing the first four songs of the new album, and it was clear that we were in for a special night.
"The sound within the art deco hall was warm, clear, and punchy—perfectly suited for the mix of acoustic and electric instrumentation that defines the Tweedy family sound."
Listen to the Band
Despite misguided expectations of a solo gig, this was very much a band effort and Tweedy cleverly involved all band members well throughout the set. An early highlight included Sammy Tweedy taking centre stage and belting out “Forever Never Ends” with a reckless abandon, as well as Macie Stewart’s violin adding texture and depth to many of the songs.
Jeff Tweedy ‘shredding’ (Image: Damien Wilkinson)
Focusing primarily on “Twilight Override”, there were cuts taken from across all of Tweedy’s solo albums, including the Tweedy “Sukarie” album.
The songs really sparkled in a vibrant live setting, underpinned by the powerhouse backing of Spencer Tweedy’s drums and Sima Cunningham’s bass, but what elevated them even more was the vocal contributions from all six members of the ensemble.
Beautifully pitched and heartfelt singing resonated superbly across the venue and echoed the family vibe of this tight-knit and talented group (Tweedy at one point noting that they all live within walking distance of their respective Chicago homes).
The Shape I’m In
Whilst all the group excelled, Jeff Tweedy, bespectacled and resplendent in a suit he claimed to have brought out of mothballs after 30 years, given his now trim shape, appeared re-vitalised and on great form, bantering with the receptive crowd through the latter parts of the gig.
The pride in both his sons was also extremely clear to see, despite joking of his fears they would both turn out to be ‘losers!’
Jeff Tweedy’s Suit Resurrection (Image: Damien Wilkinson)
Further highlights emerged, songs such as “Stray Cats in Spain”, “Feel Free”, “Lou Reed Was My Baby Sitter” were standouts, and whilst melodic highlights abounded, the night’s edge came from Tweedy’s guitar. He peppered the set with jagged, industrial shards, frequently turning straightforward tunes into complex, left-field explorations.
Unbelievable, Jeff
The encore saw a novel approach to playing a few songs unique to the night’s gig, selected to have some relevance to the location, so we were treated to T.Rex, the Kinks and the Clash for our tour souvenir. Claims of being unrehearsed for “London Calling” (lyrics draped over a monitor) proved unfounded as the band powered through the song!
Wrapping up with the appropriately titled “Enough” the band left the stage and ended the European tour with rapturous applause from the sell out crowd.
All in all, given the earlier football theme, “Unbelievable, Jeff”.
Footnote (Slight Return): Jeff Tweedy makes a swift return to London this Summer, with the recent announcement of a European Wilco tour, stopping off at London Eventim Apollo (Hammersmith) on 20th August (the only other UK date being Glasgow on 22nd August).
Seat: Standing in the stalls, right hand side
Set list:
One Tiny Flower
Caught Up in the Past
Parking Lot
Forever Never Ends
This Is How It Ends
Low Key
World Away
KC Rain (No Wonder)
Having Been Is No Way to Be
Stray Cats in Spain
Mirror
Gwendolyn
Love Is the King
Out in the Dark
Cry Baby Cry
Flowering
New Orleans
Diamond Light, Pt. 1
No One's Moving On
Feel Free
Lou Reed Was My Babysitter
Encore:
Family Ghost
Children of the Revolution (T. Rex cover)
This Time Tomorrow (The Kinks cover)
London Calling (The Clash cover)
Twilight Override
Enough
