Yeah Yeah Yeah's Dominate Koolhaus

Last night, the Yeah Yeah Yeah's played a show at the Koolhaus in Toronto. I scored a ticket. In light of the reading I have done on this band, I have been waiting for weeks with baited breath. It is no secret that the band consistently delivers a performance more than worthy of the fan base that has exploded across the country in the last few years.

I love to see opening acts. There were 2 of them this time. I love this because they are usually laughable at best. It amazes me how many bands get to tour around North America without ever really impressing enough people to expand their career. The first act last night was a man & his guitar. Nice enough. He could play well for being the opener but honestly, I haven't wanted to slit my wrists over a lost love for let's see... ever. Sorry, dude. You make a better keyboardist for YYY.

Act #2 was far different from #1 but much more suited to the feel of the evening. Unfortunately, not better musicians either. That said, I agreed when it was pointed out to me that this was a small garage act who loved playing for the sake of itself with a complete lack of seriousness. There is something to be said for that. After all, I could see that band again but you still cannot pay me enough to endure a performance from Creed.

The other reason I dig the openers is the smidge of a chance that I'll find an up & coming group that is well on their way to the top. If so, I'd get to see them right in the middle of metamorphosis.

By the time #2 wandered off stage the place was getting rather full. I had initially wanted to play 'older concert goer' and park my ass on a couch in the back of the room but I noticed that I wouldn't have the greatest view. I saw a space just near the front row that I was sure I'd be able to work my way into if I were willing to endure being very crowded. You bet your ass I got up there! I was getting more excited and less old by the minute and I knew I'd regret not being up front.

The YYY finally take the stage and open with "Gold Lion", their recent single from their new album titled "Show Your Bones" and burst with the energy and enthusiasm I've been reading about for the last 2 years. I savored each song in its entirety including many from "Show Your Bones" which upon hearing on the CD, left a little to be desired from what I had grown accustomed. Not true in the least at this show. YYY have successfully shown me that this latest work is far from lacking and now when I return to my CD, I can recall what made these songs so magical to me and enjoy them with the rest of their albums.



What I can recall of the set list is in no discernible order:

Gold Lion
Art Star
Miles Away
Black Tongue
Tick
Y Control
Maps
Modern Romance
Date With The Night
Cheated Hearts
Dudley
The Sweets
Fancy

Few lights. No effects or visuals of any kind. Not even any props save the half of a mirror ball that Karen uses as a head-piece for a song or two. They simply didn't need it. It was a rock show in the truest sense. Black stage and background and the only real color that wasn't from the lights was worn by Karen O. Of the 2 costumes she wore, the hand crafted skeleton suit was my favorite. She obviously had as good a time as the fans. She was all smiles through most of the show. Damn, much more beautiful in person... Nick Zinner was flawless. For a few of my favorite tracks he'd record a few licks just long enough to provide that eerie background guitar loop to sail under the surface of their refreshing song writing & performance.



Brian Chase held the beats together with comfortable confidence which I really found stunning but what was humorous to me is that his drum kit didn't offer the same courtesy to him. Near the end of the show, a crew member had to race out and rescue the bass drum from falling off the rise at the back of the stage. Still, nothing lost. A fabulous show was well played for all and I thank the band for visiting Toronto.

HH