Yo La Tengo @ Fowlers Live,Adelaide, (08/03/07)

Wed 14th Mar, 2007 in Gig Reviews

My previous experience with Fowlers Live was not a memorable one. It was Swinefest, I was drunk, I had snuck through the fence and then I was kicked out by a bouncer for being too intoxicated. However, last night was a gig that will be imprinted into my memory for years to come – an incredible two hours and fifteen minutes set by New Jersey indie-rockers Yo La Tengo. Despite this being a band that was quite fresh to me, my knowledge of them extending to only one album and a half, my mind was regardless blown out of my skull on many levels. Never have I seen such a versatile, skilled and refreshingly humble band that played with a rawness that I genuinely loved.




Ira Kaplan, where to begin. As the night begins with opening song Deeper Into Movies, I immediately find my eyes being hypnotically drawn towards him as he does not hesitate to immediately start catatonic rocking-the-fuck out movement and guitar soloing within the first thirty seconds of the song. A pseudo-Kurt Cobain/Jeff Buckley/Jimi Hendrix combination with a boyish grin, his behaviour on stage resembled an acid-tripping newbie musician, not a 30+ married man. He greets the audience warmly after a good ten minutes of opening the gig, his curly hair already dripping with sweat. However, the perspiration is to no avail – closely followed by this explosive intro is the signature bass riff of
‘Pass the Hatchet, I Think I’m Goodkind,’ and then The Weakest Part.




Mr Tough is a definite highlight, but my friend remarks that it should have been played a little later in the set list, and I can’t help but somewhat agree. Regardless, the buoyancy of this song sweeps the room of the Fowlers Live with a good vibe. One thing prominent about the band, a feature that I begin to love the more I watch, is the talent that is so wide-spread between them. Each member is able to pick up a guitar, bass guitar, piano or drum-kit with complete second nature and thus the spotlight is constantly shared.



Now as perfect as this set-list is proving to be so far, as they deliver song
after song with ease, The Story of Yo La Tengo is quite another thing altogether.



My mind lapses over into a daze throughout the song and I become transfixed upon this image of Kaplan – red spotlight shining on his face, eyes closed, playing his guitar. I’m thinking “wow, wow, wow, wow” at this point, because for some reason this small, three-piece band from New Jersey playing in a humble bar are better than Tool in Melbourne, Metallica at Big Day Out, etc etc. I feel an exposure to that genre of raw, mind-blowing music that one can only experience in a live scenario, and don’t feel regretful in the slightest anymore that I am missing the Fringe opening party. Screw that.



I Feel Like Going Home, created different emotions in me, feelings of sadness. Sung by Georgia Hubley, there was this sorrow in her voice that made me feel the sincerity of the lyrics. Ira even comments, “You’re sad? Well maybe this will cheer you up,” to his wife before she performs. I was quite touched.



Just as the performance clocks over two hours, Yo La Tengo launch into not one, but two
encores. This is because we are an adoring, very selfish crowd. The first
encore, which entails two old songs that I’m not familiar with and Nuclear
War is apparently not enough, as when the three members walk off stage with
waves of gratitude we cry for more. After five minutes of our protesting cheers,
much to our delight Ira, Georgia and James all give in and walk back on,
wrapping the night up with all-time favourite Autumn Sweater and
Speeding Motorcycle. For the hell of it, their roadie decides to immerse himself in the moment and hops onto the drum kit, this much appreciated by the crowd and ending a wonderful display of musical talent and performance.



Great, great, great, in my opinion. Definitely one of the best bands I have ever seen live. Only regret is that I didn’t buy a t-shirt….




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