On Saturday night, New York trio Yeasayer hit Toronto, Canada for the third date of their Erotic Reruns North American tour – celebrating the group’s fifth full length record of the same name. Along the ride for the first few weeks of this tour are Olympia based outfit Oh, Rose.
The Washington quartet reeked of beauty; building songs well and creating a stunning atmosphere, often going for sounds instead of words, and regularly embracing something of a rhythmic. “Politics” was a highlight of the set, taken from their record While My Father Sleeps (check it out HERE). There was a moment, too, they were chanting “fire!” (during, I believe, “You’ve Got Fire”) and it got reminiscent of Trail of Dead… and I liked it. A surprising and wholly impressive set. Check this group out.
As the room filled up, Yeasayer hit the stage, touring here as a four piece, opening with “No Need To Worry”, the sage behind them covered in sparkles. “Madder Red” followed, as did “Henrietta” and “2080” – which was quite a big track to drop so early in the set, and was accompanied by the first set of banter for the evening. “24-Hour Hateful Live!” off the latest LP came next and proved a highlight of the set – it seemed to be heavier live too. “Tightrope” was a natural highlight as the set continued, and “Sunrise” – the opening track of their debut LP – led into a great jam and may have been the highlight of the set. “Fluttering in the Floodlights” was another inspired live track off the new LP, though struggled only by following said highlight – but sort of thrived in the moment all the same, helping the crowd- and the band for that matter – gain back their breath before jumping into another fan favourite, “O.N.E.”.
“O.N.E.” kept the vibe going and had everyone singing along and dancing, as the band extended and morphed the song, into an almost Daft Punk-esque jam. The main set then closed with “Ecstatic Baby” ahead of a three track encore, kicking off with “I’ll Kiss You Tonight” (another stand out moment from their set), and “Ambling Alp” closing out the night after some banter about the Toronto Raptors and all the winning the city has been having.
Since their debut, Yeasayer have sat comfortably in my list of favourite acts. Their ability to surprise musically and mould an electric live set has never ceased – even if their latest singles haven’t quite gained the momentum that tracks like set closer “Ambling Alp” enjoyed. But Erotic Reruns, like just about everything they’ve released to date, does translate well live – and indeed the music from it shined tonight – ensuring those who already know and love the record are in for a treat on this tour, and those that aren’t will be sold on giving it a solid listen. And being a grower, it’s definitely an album every fan needs to sink their teeth into.
FOUR STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Erotic Reruns is available now. The tour continues tonight in Detroit.
6/17 Detroit, MI – El Club
6/18 Chicago, IL – Metro
6/19 Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line
6/21 Kansas City, MO – Record Bar
6/22 Denver, CO – Gothic
6/23 Salt Lake City, UT – Urban
6/25 Vancouver, BC – Hollywood Theatre
6/26 Seattle, WA – Neptune
6/27 Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom
6/28 San Francisco, CA – The Filmore
6/29 Los Angeles, CA – Teragram
7/1 Phoenix, AZ – Crescent
7/3 Santa Fe, NM – Meow Meow
7/4 Austin, TX – Mohawk
7/5 San Antonio, TX – Paper Tiger
7/6 Dallas, TX – Deep Ellum
7/8 Atlanta, GA – Terminal West
7/9 Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle
7/11 Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer
7/12 Washington, DC – 930 Club
7/13 New York, NY – Webster Hall
For full details about Yeasayer and their upcoming tour dates, head HERE.
Oh, Rose join the tour until June 28th, from which time Steady Holiday take over support duties, closing out with a hometown show for the band at Webster Hall.
This review is of the Yeasayer and Oh, Rose show at Toronto’s Mod Club on 15th June 2019.
