The Legendary Yo La Tengo
Hoboken natives Yo La Tengo mesmerized a sold out crowd at Webster Hall Sunday night, with an eclectic set that covered material from throughout their 20-year career. Their set began with husband and wife duo, Ira Kaplan and Georgia Hubley performing the gorgeous I Feel Like Going Home, from their latest release I Am Not Afraid of you and I Will Beat Your Ass. Following the soft mood of the opener, came Pass The Hatchet, I Think I'm Goodkind, a lengthy experimental guitar shredder that would set the eclectic structure of the night. The first half of the set was loaded with recent material, but the band then drifted off into their guitar and feedback-heavy sonic rock of their earliest records. And after a set of true sonic bliss, the band returned to the stage for an encore. Ira went to the crowd for suggestions, and was caught a little off guard by the unexpected request (The Race Is On Again) of a fan wearing a Yo La Tengo shirt. That request garnered a hilarious response as a fellow fan then yelled You Rock, T-shirt Guy. After finishing a substantial encore, the band returned to the stage a second time for 2 more songs, including a brilliant cover of Devos Gates of Steel. Yo La Tengo may not be considered a legendary band, but last nights concert was truly convincing of their deserved recognition as one of the most prolific bands of the last two decades.
Veteran Brooklyn art rockers Oneida warmed the crowd up with a blistering set of songs from their own lengthy career. Even with the noise meets kraut rock being blasted upon them, the crowd stood relatively motionless, adding to the already perceived notion that NYC crowds dont move.
Photos courtesy of [Jonny-Leather]