Tell Me What You Saw, Tell Me What You Saw
One of the best things about going to a show at Maxwell’s in Hoboken, NJ is that you can order food in the dining area of the venue. Which basically makes Maxwell’s the rock club where you can have the quickest dash from your dinner to your concert. It takes about 1 minute to cross the dining room, go past the bathrooms, and head into the performance area.
The other kinda mildly amusing thing is that usually a couple of hours before the main act is supposed to go on you almost always spot them pigging out in the dining area. It reminds you that musicians are people too–they have to eat delicious artery-clogging cheeseburgers just like the rest of us.
Anyway…Yeah Yeah Yeahs played tonight at Maxwell’s. It was SO freaking awesome and probably one of the most sweatiest concerts I’ve ever been to. Seriously, after it was over everyone looked like they’d just gone on the Niagra Falls tour–damp and sticky.
According to lead singer Karen O, they played 90 percent new material. People sang along to songs like the single, “Gold Lion,” and some old favorites like “Art Star”…but more surprising was that some people were even singing along to songs of the yet-to-be-released album. Hmmm.
“Phenomena” is absolutely one of my favorite songs off the new album. It’s a dark and sexy tune that you cannot help but rock out to. God, how can one band be so good?!
Karen was decked out in a red and purple frock that looked to me like a variation on the Christian Joy “Bean Dress”, a “Kamp Krusty” Simpsons t-shirt, some black sheer jester-style tights, and all-black Converse high tops.
SET LIST:
Turn Into/ Gold Lion/ Honey Bear/ Mysteries/ Art Star/ Phenomena/ Rockers/ Sweets/ Cheated Hearts/ Maps (acoustic)/ Miles Away/ Modern Romance/ Tick
I’m so tired, so pictures for now. More later. In the meantime, read about the show at Music Snobbery and watch some videos at Double Halo.
1. Triss | 2:09 am on February 24th, 2006
Karen O looking hot as always!
2. Samantha williams | 2:14 am on February 24th, 2006
I am only 16, but in my 16 years I have seen music advance so much, and I think this (above) is a good example of how music has bloomed over the years. There isn’t only one type of music now that people listen to, but a whole range of music. I think I can be an example of how versitile people are with music. In my CD collection I have a fusion of music from Beyonce, Maddona, The killers and Linkin park, what a verity of flavours! I hope music is always as good! Please don’t go back to the 80’s and 90’s music people!
3. matt | 6:15 am on February 24th, 2006
can’t wait for the bowery show!!!
4. Jon | 6:17 am on February 24th, 2006
If anyone has a link to the new album feel free to post a link
5. Henry | 6:37 am on February 24th, 2006
I hate everyone who had a Maxwell ticket. Yes, I’m bitter.
6. Dave | 6:45 am on February 24th, 2006
I totally agree! Freakin’ awesomeness to the max. Thanks for the set list!
I’ve got a few pics
7. Raphael | 7:58 am on February 24th, 2006
everyone has pics, because everyone had a camera. god forbid people watch thru their eyes and let the images burn into their soul and reflect that way. naah, we have to have proof…for the story i mean. when i am god, there will be no cameras. i’ll be god later on this afternoon if anyone was wondering….
8. Tess | 8:51 am on February 24th, 2006
Ahhhhhh! Laura you lucky biatch! I am even more pupmed for their Boston show now. Thanks for the awesome pics.
9. Fo | 10:12 am on February 24th, 2006
im way jealous of that outfit
10. anonymous | 10:39 am on February 24th, 2006
nice outfit, but ugly haircut, and same old moves from last tour.
11. Constant Dater | 11:51 am on February 24th, 2006
But isn’t that the YYY’s hook? The writhing and the pouring beer on herself?(Dunno if she’s still doing that one, but that was her claim to fame, pre-fame. Like, wow, how transgressive. But only if it’s heifeweissen with lemon and you’ve got some nasty papercuts.
12. Matt Berlyant | 1:06 pm on February 24th, 2006
Hmm is right regarding singing along to the new singles. Thus far, only “Gold Lion”, its Diplo remix and a song called “Dudley” have leaked to my favorite file-sharing services and I’m patiently waiting to hear more, though I guess tomorrow night’s Bowery show (which I’m totally psyched for) will be the first time I hear the other material from the new album. Anyway, thanks for the review and the photos.
13. Arya | 2:57 pm on February 24th, 2006
great pictures.
14. laura | 3:33 pm on February 24th, 2006
i love when people are against photojournalism.
15. Annalise | 7:10 pm on February 24th, 2006
You should have been at Maxwells a few nights before when BE YOU OWN PET picked up YYY’s ball and ran with it. That being said, last night was good. New stuff? I don’t know. New words to same chords maybe. Or vice versa. But KO was lovable as always. ALWAYS.
16. The Modern Age » Yeah Yeah Yeah? | 10:13 pm on February 24th, 2006
[...] If last night’s show was hot and heavy like a sauna, tonight’s was as f-cking frigid as a meat locker. I swear I could have heard crickets chirping through some of the crowd lulls during the performance. Seriously, WHERE WAS THE LOVE? Every other time I’ve seen the Yeah Yeah Yeahs at the Bowery Ballroom (2 or 3 times) it has been nothing short of a semi-contained riot. Most of the times it’s been a violent, lively affair, with people throwing themselves into the air, arms and elbows flailing, beer being sprayed all over the place. I didn’t even break a SWEAT at this show no matter how hard I tried. WHAT THE HELL GUYS? [...]
17. anonymous | 10:27 pm on February 24th, 2006
people have very high expectations of YYYs because they put out such great music, but now maybe not as good? so maybe DISAPPOINTMENT SETS IN.
AND FRUSTRATION
18. The Modern Age » Two Parts of a Three Night Stand | 9:53 am on February 25th, 2006
[...] The first show, as you already know, was in New Jersey at the tiny little 200-person venue Maxwell’s. When the tickets for all 3 shows went on sale I knew straight away that this show was going to be 10x more fun than the Bowery shows. [...]
19. Delusions... | 9:39 am on February 26th, 2006
20. laura | 12:52 pm on February 26th, 2006
::eyeroll::
21. The Triumph of Tired Eyes » Blog Archive » Yeah Yeah Yeahs @ Maxwell’s | 2:45 pm on February 26th, 2006
[...] other reviews: Music Snobbery. The Modern Age. [...]
22. georgia | 8:59 am on February 27th, 2006
yeah i was at the maxwells show dancing up front with the girl from blood on the wall having the time of my life. then i went saturday night at the bowery and it was scary how many people were just standing there bobbing their heads. either way i love the new stuff most especially warrior and the second to last one they played on saturday before tick. which ever one it is it makes you jump if your alive. i just got my roseland tickets and hope its a little more crazy.
23. georgia | 9:06 am on February 27th, 2006
did anybody else see johnny knoxville there?
24. bigshoulders | 9:56 pm on March 3rd, 2006
hubbah hubbah, ding ding DING!
Karen O– you got everything!
nice pics… can’t wait for the new album!
(and jealous of all you NY cats!)
b.s.
25. cherita | 7:26 am on March 28th, 2006
i dont find that right that teens are not able to work its not our fualt that others teens go around acting all stupid and junk maybe yall should give us another chance maybe we wont risk it this time
26. The Modern Age » I Know What I Know | 11:05 pm on May 2nd, 2006
[...] For those who keep score, she was wearing the same outfit she wore at Coachella this weekend–which was made of the same fabric as the dress she wore when I saw the Yeah Yeah Yeahs at Maxwell’s earlier this year. I’m tired, but here’s my crappy cameraphone photo: [...]