Yo La Tengo Welcome Fred Armisen, Janeane Garofalo and More for Second Night of Hanukkah

Yo La Tengo’s eight-run run at New York’s Bowery Ballroom continued last night. The Hanukkah show’s surprise opening act was an experimental jazz trio made up of William Parker, Mixashawn Rozie and Michael Wimberly while Janeane Garofalo served as the show’s comedic support act. Yo La Tango’s own James McNew crafted the special CD mix for the second night of Hanukkah and the night benefited Arts For Art.

Comedian and musician Fred Armisen, a longtime Yo La Tengo Hanukkah guest dating back to the Festival of Lights celebration’s Hoboken, NJ days, ran downtown after finishing his Broadway performance in All In at the Hudson Theatre and joined the trio on second drums throughout the night. The concert had a bit of an aspirational warm-weather feel; the opening act joined at the top of the set for “Beach Party Tonight” an remained on stage for the slow version of “This Stupid World”–which contrasted with the previous night’s standard take on the tune–as well as “The Story of Jazz” and “Outsmartener.”

Yo La Tengo traditionally reserve their Hanukkah run encores for material associated with Jewish songwriters. Last night was no exception and the ensemble offered a four-song cover segment featuring material by Jewish musicians or bands that prominently feature Jewish members. The encore kicked off with Black Flag’s “Nervous Breakdown” and then moved into The Velvet Underground’s “Candy Says” and Gery Goffin’s “My Heart’s Not In It.” The group then circled back to the sunny theme from the beginning of the night with Flo & Eddie’s “Keep It Warm.”

Yo La Tengo’s Hanukkah stand rolls on this evening.

Here’s a look at last night’s setlist via Jesse Jarnow’s Frank & Earthy blog

Thursday, December 26, Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY

entire show with Fred Armisen on drums

Beach Party Tonight (with William Parker on bass/reeds, Mixshawn Rozie on saxophone, Michael Wimberly on percussion)

Let’s Be Still (with WP, MR, & MW)

This Stupid World (slow) (with WP, MR, & MW)

The Story of Jazz (with WP, MR, & MW)

Outsmartener (with WP, MR, & MW)

For You Too

Black Flowers

You Can Have It All (Harry Wayne Casey)

Detouring America With Horns

Mr. Tough

Before We Run >

Autumn Sweater

Big Day Coming (fast)

Artificial Heart

Pass the Hatchet, I Think I’m Goodkind

(encore)

Nervous Breakdown (Black Flag)

Candy Says (Velvet Underground)

My Heart’s Not In It (Gerry Goffin)

Keep It Warm (Flo & Eddie)