Wilco (The Pier Concert)

While there's not much yours truly finds less appealing than outdoor concerts with bad sound, overpriced "beer gardens," and the looming threat of seagull feces, I've got to admit that this year's "Pier Revue" show, going down at the Maine State Pier on July 17, is making me consider digging up the ole fanny pack for an evening.

One of America's best bands - live, recorded, or otherwise - Wilco headline the 7 pm concert, after the June Nonesuch release of their dopishly titled Wilco (The Album). Further upping the ante, Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst returns to Maine with his new Mystic Valley Band to open the night. Tickets go on sale tomorrow, May 1, at 10 am through a variety of outlets: service-charge free $37 tix at the Cumberland County Civic Center box office; the service-charge hell of ticketmaster.com; or by calling 800.745.3000.

In other Wilco news, the band have just released a new documentary DVD, Ashes of American Flags, well reviewed at Popmatters this week. And if you haven't seen it, the decidedly less lighthearted I Am Trying To Break Your Heart doc, released in 2002, is well worth a second look.