Yeasayer @ Le National: May 2, 2010

This past Sunday (to some, Funday), we had the pleasure of seeing Yeasayer perform at Le National (we unfortunately only caught the end of Sleigh Bells, but we heard good things). I must admit, expectation were high for this show: we (the royal we) have grown to love both All Hour Cymbals and Odd Blood, and had heard a few rave reviews about their live performances from some respected sources (thank you McSandwhichewildes). So after a long trek down St. Cats (approximately 3 beers long), we reached the venue and ran inside. We made it into the actual concert hall just as Yeasayer was finishing their hellos and beginning the show.

No Need To Worry – Yeasayer

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Rome – Yeasayer

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The Brooklyn quintet kicked off the show with an abrasive rendition of Rome during which the band seemed rather uncomfortable. After a few whispered words and meaningful glances between members, Chris Keating turned on the echo effect on his microphone and the show took off. Weaving between classics from their debut and newer jams, Yeasayer kept the crowd pumped and sweaty (I mean s.w.e.a.t.y.) for nearly two hours. As the show wore on, the temperature of the venue climbed to near volcanic heights, but the band (urged on by crowd) refused to let a little bit of heat hold them back. The band seamlessly bridged all of the various genres that Yeasayer covers, jumping from harmonizations to rock riffs in 2080 and Mondegreen before moving to the synthed-out, psychedelic jams of Love Me Girl, to the rather aloof, falsetto-filled I Remember. Before returning for the encore, drummer Ahmed Gallab came on stage to direct waves of cheering. He guided the roars of the crowd around the entire hall, losing the control of everyone when the band returned to finish the show. Yeasayer managed to bring the varied sounds of their albums into a high energy performance that we were sad to see end.

Posted by Maurizio