From Phil Lesh to Courtney Barnett and everyone in between, by all measures it’s been the most successful summer yet for the new-ish big outdoor venue in central New York, Beak and Skiff Apple Orchards. The apples are starting to ripen, almost ready for picking, so the loud thumps of live music will have to make way for the low rumble of tractors. But there was time for one more big show to thrill the hungry ears of Syracuse and beyond, and alt-country heroes Wilco came to provide the fans with one last blowout to finish the season.

With an expansive concert field with great sight lines, sound that is crisp but not too loud, absurdly punctual start and finish times, friendly organized staff, quality reasonably priced food and their own line of fabulous ciders, Beak and Skiff is quite the comfortable place to take in some live music on a nice summer evening. Wilco fit well with the vibe and provided comforts of their own.

Touring behind their 2022 Cruel Country release, they promptly opened the show with the album’s first two tracks, “I Am My Mother” and the title track. The new songs blended together superbly with their more well-worn material. Being a double album, they had plenty of new material to pull from, but it seems like they’ve already plucked some live favorites. Later “Story To Tell” saw Nels Cline on a haunting lap steel, while “Bird Without a Tail / Base of My Skull” rolled along slowly before building behind Glenn Kotche’s brilliant drumming to a rollicking two-guitar workout.

Wilco served up more comfort for the ears with their oldies but goodies. The reliable bass groove laid down by John Stirratt on “Handshake Drugs” paved the way for a three-guitar assault behind more fantastic work from Kotche. “At Least That’s What You Said” was an unsurprisingly excellent rock out, like sitting with an old friend. The unadulterated shredding by Nels Cline on “Impossible Germany” slid into the ears with ease. “Jesus Etc.” said it best, “You can rely on me honey.”

The most surprising moment from the show came at a juncture of the old and new. “Via Chicago” was blasting along on it’s usual reliable path, Kotche thrilling with his typical drum freakouts. It all fizzled out into a nice slow developing segment snagged from a piece of “Many Worlds.” Pat Sansone and Cline’s guitars swirled around each other as it extended further and deeper, reaching a southern rock style fever pitch.

The encore saw further blending of old and new. “Falling Apart (Right Now)” a country romp featuring a detuning guitar solo from Sansone preceded “Box Full of Letters” off of their debut album, A.M. Tweedy sent the song out to the people who bought the early album. When that was met with a huge roar, he responded: “No way, I’d have nicer clothes if that was true.” The show ended though with more comfortable Wilco classics, “The Late Greats” and “I Got You (At the End of the Century)” with the crowd appropriately singing along, singing back to the band: “Got you and it’s all I need / I got you / I got you and I still believe / That you’re all that I’ll ever need.” The fans got what they came for, Wilco delivered a reliably stellar rock show like only they know how.

On the flip side, opener Kamikaze Palm Tree reveled in the uncomfortable. The art rock quartet is led by Cole Berliner on drums and vocals and Dylan Hadley on guitars, and were joined by bass and keys players. Experimental and avant-garde, the music took wild left turns and wasn’t for passive listening. Deadpan singing, unexpected rhythm shifts, slow languid moments bursting into grungy rock; it was difficult to keep up but once you got on board it was an exciting ride.

Their intent came into better focus the closer you got to the band. The visual aspects married with the audio output provided the full experience of Kamikaze Palm Tree as they played material off their brand new release Mint Chip. Hadley had heavy red eye makeup, wore a purple tux, and moved like an animatronic character in a haunted house, staring deeply into the crowd. Berliner’s singing, sometimes behind the kit, sometimes in front, was joined by dramatic motions and expressions. A nice discovery and rewarding listen for the open-minded listeners in the audience.

Wilco Setlist: I Am My Mother, Cruel Country, I Am Trying to Break Your Heart, Hints, Handshake Drugs, Story to Tell, Either Way, War On War, If I Ever Was a Child, Via Chicago / Many Worlds, Hummingbird, At Least That’s What You Said, Bird Without a Tail / Base of My Skull, Jesus Etc., Impossible Germany, Love Is Everywhere (Beware), California Stars, A Lifetime to Find, Heavy Metal Drummer, Spiders (Kidsmoke)

Encore: Falling Apart (Right Now), Box Full of Letters, The Late Greats, I Got You (At the End of the Century)