Yo La Tengo have been killing it with surprise guests for their 2023 Hanukkah run, with out-of-towners Beach House, Lambchop, Ben Gibbard and more showing up, some of whom came in just for the occasion. Night 7 was no less special but more of a Locals Only affair. The night was opened by Foggy Notion, an ad-hoc NYC-all-star Velvet Underground tribute featuring Steve Gunn, Laura Ortman, Alan Licht, Sue Garner, and Ryan Sawyer, whose set included “European Son,” “Waiting for the Man,” “Venus in Furs,” “Femme Fatale,” “Run Run Run,” “Heroin,” “I’ll Be Your Mirror,” and of course, “Foggy Notion.”
Then David Sedaris, a YLT Hanukkah vet from 2021, returned as the night’s humor portion of the evening; watch his full set below.
Ryan Sawyer then joined Yo La Tengo for most of their main set on a second drum kit; Steve Gunn also came out for the first half, with Sue Garner as well for a few songs, and then Licht joined and stayed through the second half YLT’s set. Songs this time included “Miles Away,” “Evanescent Psychic Pez Drop,” “Last Days of Disco,” “We’re An American Band,” and “Mushroom Cloud of Hiss,” plus Gunn’s “Other You” and Garner’s “Rose Colored Glue” and more.
For the encore, Yo La Tengo welcomed Damon & Naomi, who were also on hand for Night 5, to join for pugilistic covers of Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Boxer” and Beastie Boys’ “Fight for Your Right (to Party!),” before closing a night with a song they know well: Jonathan Richman’s “Don’t Let Our Youth Go to Waste” (which Damon & Naomi covered as 2/3rds of Galaxie 500).
Check out setlist, and Instagram pics and video from Night 7 below.
Yo La Tengo’s James McNew made the Night 7 mix CD, Dani Tute was the post-show DJ, and proceeds benefited the Trust Women Foundation and Abortion Care Network.
Tonight Hanukkah 2023 wraps up with…who do you think will show up as surprise guests? Ira’s mom usually joins to sing “My Little Corner of the World” but other than that it’s anyone’s guess. Tickets are sold-out but it’s worth checking the link later as they often release a few tickets day-of-show.
Check out pics, setlists, video and recaps of Yo La Tengo’s whole 2023 Hanukkah run.
SETLIST: Yo La Tengo at Bowery Ballroom 12/13/2023 (Hanukkah Night 7) (via Frank & Earthy)
whole set (minus “Miles Away” & “Alyda”) with Ryan Sawyer on drums.
Miles Away
Tiny Birds
Evanescent Psychic Pez Drop (with Steve Gunn on guitar)
Ballad of Red Buckets (with Gunn)
One PM Again (with Gunn)
Can’t Forget (with Gunn & Sue Garner on vocals guitar)
Rose Colored Glue (Sue Garner) (with Gunn, Garner, & Alan Licht on guitar)
Other You (Steve Gunn) (with Gunn, Garner, & Licht)
Alyda
Last Days of Disco (with Licht)
Double Dare (with Licht)
I Was the Fool Beside You For Too Long (with Licht)
Styles of the Times (with Licht)
We’re An American Band (with Licht)
Mushroom Cloud of Hiss (with Licht)
*(encore)*
Take A Giant Step (Carole King & Gerry Goffin)
The Boxer (Paul Simon) (with Damon Krukowski on guitar/vocals & Naomi Yang on vocals)
(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!) (Beastie Boys) (with Damon & Naomi)
Don’t Let Our Youth Go To Waste (Jonathan Richman) (with Damon & Naomi)
Foggy Notion @ Bowery Ballroom 12/13/2023:
European Son
Waiting For the Man
Venus In Furs
Femme Fatale
Run Run Run
Heroin
I’ll Be Your Mirror
Foggy Notion
