Jeff Tweedy-Curated Concert Kicks Off Wired Nextfest

The “Wired Nextfest” kicked off last night in Chicago with a Jeff Tweedy-curated concert at the Vic Theatre featuring quirky songstress Joanna Newsom and Americana duo The Handsome Family.

“Honestly, I had a lot of trouble conjuring up a rose-hued vision of our collective tomorrows,” said Wilco frontman Tweedy. “Instead, I … focused my attention on music with the kind of sturdiness and self-sufficiency the post-apocalyptic lifestyle I’m anticipating might require. The kinds of artists making the kinds of music that won’t be interrupted or even miss a beat when the power goes out. The kind that would be fleet-footed and nimble if the Man came crashing down in the middle of the night. In other words, I pictured folk music. All there ever was in the first place.”

The concert was the first event of the yearly gathering sponsored by Wired magazine. Nextfest—which continues through this weekend—seeks to showcase developments in communication, entertainment, design, space and underwater exploration, health, security and transportation. This is the first year musicians have been featured.

Tickets for this weekend’s festival are available online at www.nextfest.net.

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