Yeah Yeah Yeahs @ McCarren Pool: Gonna Dress You Up In My Love

I never knew there was such a distinct disconnect between Sonic Youth and YYY fans. I definitely fall into this latter category but the division was very apparent last night. Before YYY hit the stage, I heard some folks asking (very loudly) WHO THE BAND WAS. They also were mumbling that they had heard of the song 'Maps' but couldn't really remember it until they heard it, or that they saw a video of theirs on MTV2 and turned it off because 'the lead singer is a crazy bitch'. I'll refrain from talking smack about Sonic Youth but well, here's one jab, when was their last good album? 1992?


In spite of the overzealous Sonic Youth fans, the YYY fans stormed right up to the front of the stage and enjoyed one of the best shows put on by Karen O and the boys, in years. Karen O came out in what only can be described as a typical Karen O outfit (via band costumist Christian, who was later thanked on stage before 'Maps'). As you can see, the keywords attached to this piece would be: gold, glitter, stripes, ridiculousness, shiny, and loud. It was phenomenal!!


I didn't attend the Friday show but I doubt the setlist had so many EP or FTT tracks as Saturday! Here's what we got: Black Tongue/Mystery Girl/Gold Lion/Cheated Hearts/Honeybear/Bang!/Phenomena/Dudley/Maps (acoustic)/Warrior/Rich/Y Control/Turn Into.

I nearly lost my shit multiple times. First, when I heard 'Bang!' which I haven't seen them perform live since the Siren Festival of '02. 'Rich' was also a pleasant surprise as it was high on my list of songs I was really itching to hear, and also one they rarely play.


Sadly I missed the Maxwell's show earlier this year where they busted out the acoustic version of 'Maps' (I was slightly sad when they opted for the electric version at the Bowery show) but I got a taste of that beauty last night. Finally the Sonic Youth fans shut their traps and soaked in the brilliance of that little ditty!


Followed by 'Warrior', Karen O's voice soared, just the way we love it. A perfect back-to-back treat. Of course, she went back to her signature growl on 'Rich' and throughout the rest of the set until the closer, 'Turn Into'. God love her!


As for Sonic Youth, I endured their set for 4 songs. 'Teenage Riot' was a nice opener but I stayed with the other tentative SY fans in the back. We all left shortly after one another. On the way out I contemplated asking one of the Sonic Youth fans WHO THE HELL THEY WERE but refrained. I guess YYY fans are more tactful. Or maybe we just love that crazy bitch.