Yo La Tengo's latest album, Popular Songs, came out over a year ago, so the indie rock veterans don't actually have any new material to promote on their upcoming U.S. tour. Still, even if they won't be plugging anything new, the shows should be well worth checking out, as the band have unveiled the bizarre concept behind the tour.
On their official website [via Pitchfork], the band explain that each show will begin by spinning a massive wheel. The wheel will determine which kind of show the audience are going to see.
This could mean playing part of their score for The Sounds of Science (minus the film), performing songs by bassist James McNew's Dump solo project or doing the show under alias Condo Fucks. It could also mean doing only tracks with titles that begin with "S" or doing songs with someone's name in them. There's also the chance of an audience Q&A session or, weirdest of all, the option of the band and crew acting out a classic sitcom. Needless to say, this all sounds a little crazy and completely awesome.
The concept part of the show will make up the first half of each night. Halfway through the performance, they will take a brief break and come back with a regular set in the second part.
Unfortunately, there are currently no Canadian dates. If you can make it out to one of the American dates below, it should be well worth the trip. Before the concept tour begins, Yo La Tengo will be celebrating Hanukkah with eight consecutive shows in their hometown of Hoboken, NJ.
Tour dates:
11/21 Berlin, Germany - Admiralspalast
12/1-8 Hoboken, NJ - Maxwell's
1/20 Philadelphia, PA - The Trocadero *
1/21 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club *
1/22 Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle *
1/23 Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle *
1/25 Orlando, FL - The Social *
1/26 Jacksonville, FL - Freebird Live *
1/28 Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse *
1/29 New Orleans, LA - Tipitina's *
1/31 Birmingham, AL - WorkPlay *
2/1 Nashville, TN - Exit/In *
2/3 Indianapolis, IN - The Vogue Theater *
2/4 Chicago, IL - Metro *
2/5 Pittsburgh, PA - Mr. Small's Fun House *
* with William Tyler
On their official website [via Pitchfork], the band explain that each show will begin by spinning a massive wheel. The wheel will determine which kind of show the audience are going to see.
This could mean playing part of their score for The Sounds of Science (minus the film), performing songs by bassist James McNew's Dump solo project or doing the show under alias Condo Fucks. It could also mean doing only tracks with titles that begin with "S" or doing songs with someone's name in them. There's also the chance of an audience Q&A session or, weirdest of all, the option of the band and crew acting out a classic sitcom. Needless to say, this all sounds a little crazy and completely awesome.
The concept part of the show will make up the first half of each night. Halfway through the performance, they will take a brief break and come back with a regular set in the second part.
Unfortunately, there are currently no Canadian dates. If you can make it out to one of the American dates below, it should be well worth the trip. Before the concept tour begins, Yo La Tengo will be celebrating Hanukkah with eight consecutive shows in their hometown of Hoboken, NJ.
Tour dates:
11/21 Berlin, Germany - Admiralspalast
12/1-8 Hoboken, NJ - Maxwell's
1/20 Philadelphia, PA - The Trocadero *
1/21 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club *
1/22 Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle *
1/23 Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle *
1/25 Orlando, FL - The Social *
1/26 Jacksonville, FL - Freebird Live *
1/28 Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse *
1/29 New Orleans, LA - Tipitina's *
1/31 Birmingham, AL - WorkPlay *
2/1 Nashville, TN - Exit/In *
2/3 Indianapolis, IN - The Vogue Theater *
2/4 Chicago, IL - Metro *
2/5 Pittsburgh, PA - Mr. Small's Fun House *
* with William Tyler
