The Hard Quartet (Malkmus, Sweeney, Kelly, White) made their NYC debut @ Webster Hall: pics & full video

“I used to come here when I was a teenager when it was The Ritz,” Matt Sweeney told the crowd at Webster Hall on Thursday night. “I met Bob Stinson outside before a Replacements show and asked him what it’s like to be in a band and Bob said ‘it’s cool… I always have $20 in my pocket.’” Then Sweeney added, “and that ruined my life.”

I dunno Matt, you seem to be doing pretty good for yourself. Your new band, The Hard Quartet, just put out their great self-titled debut on Matador Records, and they just made their NYC debut at Webster Hall, which was only their second show ever. The band, as you might know, are an indie rock supergroup, with Stephen Malkmus (Pavement), Emmett Kelly (Ty Segall, Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy and Jim White (Dirty Three) rounding out the Quartet. They played their debut front-to-back with “Action for the Military Boys” getting a reprise at the end. Malkmus, Sweeney and Kelly are all known as serious guitar slingers but they traded off lead, rhythm and bass duties as the songs dictated (they all sing) and everyone seemed to be having a great time being in a group and playing together. Plus, $20 in your pocket ain’t nothing.

NYC trio Weak Signal, who’ve also opened for Pavement before, warmed up the crowd. Check out photos by Dimitry Mak of The Hard Quartet’s set, plus full video of show, below.

The Hard Quartet next head to London, and their first real tour will be in Australia in January. Hopefully a North American tour will be announced soon. All dates are listed below.

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SETLIST: The Hard Quartet @ Webster Hall 10/17/2024
Chrome Mess
Earth Hater
Rio’s Song
Our Hometown Boy
Renegade
Heel Highway
Killed by Death
Hey
It Suits You
Six Deaf Rats
Action for Military Boys
Jacked Existence
North of the Border
Thug Dynasty
Gripping the Riptide
Action for Military Boys Reprise

The Hard Quartet – TOUR DATES
October 22, 2024 Camden, UK Electric Ballroom
January 17, 2025 Brisbane, QLD, Australia Princess Theatre, Woolloongabba
January 18, 2025 Sydney, NSW, Australia Metro Theatre
January 21, 2025 Fremantle, WA, Australia Fremantle Arts Centre
January 23, 2025 Hindmarsh, SA, Australia The Gov
January 24, 2025 Castlemaine, VIC, Australia Theatre Royal, Castlemaine – Cinema
January 25, 2025 Northcote, VIC, Australia Northcote Theatre