To many, Bonnie 'Prince' Billy (aka Will Oldham) might be best known for his classic record I See a Darkness, his '90s masterpiece that forever etched his name into the stone of one of the mid-west's greats. However, if you really know, you're aware that Oldham starred in a film called Old Joy, directed by Kelly Reinhardt and featuring a soundtrack of original material composed by none other than Yo La Tengo. To be able to see him open one of the band's infamous Hanukkah shows and recall going to see the film himself at Lincoln Center and equate the quiet essence of the movie to his set vs Yo La Tengo's noisy jams that feel more are akin to the vibes of New York City, was an absolute treat.
Making hist first stand-up appearance since the start of the pandemic, Wyatt Cenac was a wonderful comedic guest that spoke to the room with much appeal and helped bring the humor to the mid-section of the show as his interplay with the crowd was top notch. Relaxed and casual behind the mic, Cenac spoke about the horrors of swiping through online dating profiles, the overall state of the world, and how statistically there had to be someone in the room who voted for Trump. All of it was met with hearty cheers and guttural laughs.
Walking out on stage, strapping on their gear, sitting behind the kit, and plugging in, there wasn't a single second wasted before the trio instantly hit us with "Green Arrow," an unsuspecting opener that nearly leveled the crowd from the jump. Frozen in near shock, by the time the crowd realized what was happening, the song's mesmerizing state had already washed over the room and the band was locked in to the track's steady build. Moving from one all-timer to another, "From a Motel 6" continued their groove and thrusted the show forward with colossal momentum. Massive favorites so early on in the night felt like a real gift and when they shifted into "Tonight's Episode" from their most recent full-length studio album, it helped crystalized that longevity and consistency of the group's sound. Whispers through ambient and acoustic melodies, but also shockmasters through bouts of noise and eccentric uses of feedback, Yo La Tengo have forever been known for their range and skilled ability so make their way through the sonic landscape better than nearly anyone else. For night 4, the band tuck mostly to their core instruments and didn't shuffle around as much as they typically do during a set and perhaps this is what allowed them to be so dialed in and focused. Behind the kit, Hubley was sharp in her rhythms and when those cymabls crashed, they accentuated the beat with such precise force. James McNew was sturdy behind the bass, lending to backing vocals and a rare lead moments, but holding things down like a solid foundation while Ira let his guitar rip through blistering solos. "A Worrying Thing" was an acoustic respite from the squalls of distortion and an enrapturing moment that silenced the crowd as everyone gave their utmost attention to the three people on stage, Kaplan's hushed vocals brushing over the room with a soft power. When Hubley took on vocals for "Pablo and Andrea," the room was once again under a full spell, everyone hanging on the her aching voice. At the midway point of this year's run of shows, the band is sounding as rich as ever, their unwavering light still a beacon and a forever enthralling performance. For the penultimate number, the band to tore into "Sugarcube" with a nuclear force, everyone rallying for a triumphant and powerful song that made its purpose known as one of the songs where the band can really unleash their powers and make their particular sound known. For a band with such a range, this is where they can hit their sweet spot and really knock it out of the park. For the encore, the band welcomed Oldham back to the stage for a number before bringing out special guest Matt Beringer from The National. After fumbling the first line, Beringer got it in place for a cover of Fred Neil's "A Little Bit of Rain," before going for his own tune "Inland Ocean." Yet the highlight came when he broke into his band's "Bloodbuzz Ohio" which was naturally given a Yo La Tengo spin of some harsher guitar tones that really cranked things up for a raw and grizzled take on the usually more buttoned up rocker. For the finale, the band brought out Lenny Kaye of the Patti Smith Group and Bonnie 'Prince' Billy once again for a cover of "Free Money" that had people buzzing with joy and pouring out into the streets as many people celebrated their annual tradition while others made plans to do it all again tomorrow.
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