Concert Review: The 15th Annual 89X Birthday Bash, featuring Yeah Yeah Yeahs, AFI, et. al. - Page 6

(Karen O testifies)

Yeah Yeah Yeahs were the most anticipated band for me to see live. I was sure they would serve a juicy slice of raw talent, and they did as the sun began to set past the outdoor stage between the Fox and State Theatres. Singer Karen O, guitarist Nicolas Zinner and drummer Brian Chase wowed the crowd, and were another band who obviously loved what they were doing. Karen O smiled and sang in a pure, crystal-clear voice, each ark and swoop perfected with the rest of the band's accompaniment. There was nothing bad to say about this set; every song I wanted to hear was performed flawlessly. Karen O's eccentric black and gold leotard outfit, red and black sequin scarf, red fishnets and colorful face art made me swoon even more for a band I already loved.

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs are known for their stage shows, with Karen O doing everything from slathering herself with olive oil to jumping in a pit of peppermints with Jack White. The thing that no one ever mentions is the pure joy the frontwoman seems to get from being on stage. She spent most of the 89X set with a large grin on her face as she danced around the stage like a demented harlequin from the '80s. Most of the time, Karen O reacts to the songs as if it were the best day of her life, her favorite song has just come on the radio, and the only legitimate thing for her to do is motherfucking dance.

(Motherfucking dance!!!)

And it's not as if she's the only one in the band having fun: look up at the first picture of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs again - Brian Chase has the biggest grin this side of Wisconsin. And while Nick Zinner and touring member Imaad Wasif weren't as expressive about their emotions, both looked as if they were in completely different zones of reality, where the only thing that mattered was the guitar and the music.

(Well, the guitar, the music and the Nick Cave haircuts, anyway...)

Though I had read that the Yeah Yeah Yeahs were playing mostly new material on their current tour, such as "Warrior" and "Cheated Hearts," their set at the 89X Birthday Bash was mostly dominated by songs from 2003's Fever to Tell. The audience sang along to "Maps" and danced feverishly (if you will excuse the pun) to "Date with the Night" and "Y Control." Karen O was fantastic with her howls and screams between some of the most gorgeous female vocals out there right now. There is rock and roll, and there is rock and fucking roll, and Karen O is rock and motherfucking roll.

Article Author: Modern Pea Pod

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