Yeasayer Brings the Heat
May 5th, 2010Yeasayer – Webster Hall – May 4, 2010
(Photo: Jared Levy)
Warm weather is steadily settling upon the city. As the humidity rises and the days lengthen, a change in moods and minds is present on the faces of those around. Whether you gauge it from sunglasses or smiles, energy bounds from the upcoming season. And, for Yeasayer, a band that reflects this infectious spirit, a Tuesday night in early May was the perfect time to return home.
Nearly three months since their last show at The Bowery Ballroom, Brooklyn’s own Yeasayer continues to tour on the heels of their second studio album, Odd Blood. This time at Webster Hall, Seagulls and the up-and-coming duo Sleigh Bells opened. The combination of these two bands drew an impressive crowd, packing the venue early in the night. Sleigh Bells played the majority of their blog-lauded headbangers. As Chris Keating of Yeasayer pointed out, industry types attended to scout out the duo, and to their end, Sleigh Bells delivered on the blown-out beats of “Tell ’Em” and “Crown on the Ground.”
Though it is admittedly difficult to follow an act like Sleigh Bells, Yeasayer’s headlining set was expertly designed and executed. The core members—Keating on keyboard and vocals, Anand Wilder on guitars, keyboards and vocals and Ira Wolf Tuton on bass guitar and backing vocals—performed center stage with the help of two percussionists. Among such new songs as “The Children” and “I Remember,” the group also mixed in “2080” and “Sunrise,” singles from their previous album, All Hours Cymbals. Later, Webster Hall’s hanging disco ball spun along with Odd Blood’s danciest track, “O.N.E.” The lights shimmered over an appreciative crowd, mirroring the glow of Yeasayer’s joyous music. No longer must we “Wait for the Summer.” —Jared Levy
