Yo La Tengo Steals The Show at Roadrunner

Graphic by Lily Hartenstein

By Everly Orfanedes

At Roadrunner on September 30th, Yo La Tengo stole the show. The band performed as the opening act for headliner, Japanese Breakfast, but the show felt like a double bill. The New Jersey based indie band that formed in 1984 continues to claim fame and hold a cult following 40 years later. The band set the tone for Japanese Breakfast with a series of songs that produced a psychedelic, funk-like vibe. Each song faded out and sent listeners into a whimsical daze. I saw countless audience members twirling around aimlessly with smiles and closed eyes as the band jumped right into their set. 

Before the show, I had never heard the band's music. I had heard of them from friends and family, and I know that everyone who knew their music claimed to have a deep love for it. They hold the type of reputation where you either love them or don’t. Their music holds similarities to bands such as Wilco, The Velvet Underground, and Pink Floyd. The relaxing energy floated through the atmosphere of the venue, but while calming, there was nothing boring about the band’s set. Song’s ranged from chaotic and electrifying with “I Heard You Looking,” to calm and mesmerizing in “Autumn Sweater.”

Members Georgia Hubley (she/her) (vocals, percussion), Ira Kaplin (he/him) (vocals, guitar), and James McNew (he/him) (bass), have been playing together as a group since the early 90s, and their live performance proved just that. There is high respect to be given to the tightness of this band, with not a single note or beat out of place. They played with absolute synchronization, flowing with the slow and fast chaos of the songs and with fade outs, like gentle waves. The energy emitted to the audience was casual, calm, and confident. The entire performance consisted of the music, smooth musical transitions between songs, and little to no stage banter. They didn’t introduce themselves, or make any witty remarks between songs like the kind of stage banter we are so familiar with today. But even so, the audience only grew more and more engaged with each room-rumbling intro and earth shatteringly loud outro. The roar of the crowd's cheers filled the gaps. I walked out of the show with a new set of songs to add to my fall 2022 playlist, and a new band to love.