“We’ve been doing a lot of sewing these past few months preparing for this show,” cracked Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy in reference to the Chicago band’s snazzy rhinestone suits, which would’ve fit right in at the Grand Ole Opry. Tweedy and company also came equipped with a phenomenal, still-untitled new song whose fragile beginning gradually morphed into an ambitious atmospheric flight, and a career-spanning set that encompassed accessible experimentalism (”I Am Trying to Break Your Heart”), cohesive folk-rock (”Misunderstood”), horn-stoked Beale Street blues (”Hate It Here”) and blissful pieces of American beauty (”Jesus, Etc.”). As a hometown gift, bassist John Stirratt even delivered the high-and-lonesome ballad “It’s Just That Simple.” Saturday’s guitar hero? Nels Cline, the lanky virtuoso whose modest poise, knob-twirling effects and ability to paint songs with rich tonal colors served as a reminder why Wilco has never been better.

[Photo: Grabowski/Retna]

More Lollapalooza Coverage: Rock ‘N’ Roll Diary