Dawn Richard & Spencer Zahn, Ernie Brooks (Modern Lovers) and more joined Yo La Tengo for Hanukkah night 3 (pics, setlist)
Night 3 of Yo La Tengo‘s 2024 Hanukkah celebration at Bowery Ballroom had the most exciting surprise opener yet: Dawn Richard & Spencer Zahn who put out this year’s wonderful Quiet in a World Full of Noise. Backed by reeds players Stuart Bogie, Doug Wieselman, and Alfredo Colón, Dawn and Spencer made for a gorgeous, tranquil start to the night.
Dawn and Spencer both joined Yo La Tengo at various points during their set, including Dawn singing lead on covers of Carole King’s “It’s Too Late” and Ramones’ “I Don’t Wanna Walk Around With You.” Also joining the band for all but their first song (“Miles Away”) was Wilco guitarist Pat Sansone. The Night 3 setlist also included covers of Wilco’s “If Ever I Was a Child” and Simon & Garfunkel’s “I Am a Rock,” plus YLT songs “Flying Lesson (Hot Chicken #1),” “The Lie and How We Told It,” “Fallout” and a killer take on “I Heard You Looking” to close out the main set.
For the encore, Yo La Tengo welcomed “classic lineup” Modern Lovers bassist Ernie Brooks for a set of four Jonathan Richman classics (that Jojo doesn’t really perform anymore): “She Cracked,” “Government Center,” “Fly Into the Mystery,” and “Roadrunner.” Check out the setlist and video from the show below.
Jena Friedman was the Night 3 comedian, Gregg Turkington aka Neil Hamburger made the mix CD (“Gregg Turkington Selects The Bee-Gees’ Greatest Non-Hits), and Ira Oksman was the post-show DJ. Proceeds from the night benefited ProPublica. Check out photos by Ellen Qbertplaya from the whole night below.
Check out recaps of Yo La Tengo’s 2024 Hanukkah residency here.
Spencer Zahn plays tonight (12/28) at Nublu as part of Stuart Bogie’s “Two Long Sets of Bogie Nights” that also features Smoota, Spencer Zahn, Chris Egan, Olatunji Ojore, and Michael Coleman in the band.
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SETLIST: Yo La Tengo @ Bowery Ballroom 12/27/2023 (Hanukkah Night 3) (via Frank & Earthy)
entire set minus 1st song with Pat Sansone on guitar/vocals
Miles Away
Paul Is Dead
Little Eyes
The Lie and How We Told It
A Shy Dog
If I Ever Was A Child (Wilco)
Shades of Blue
Season of the Shark (with Spencer Zahn on keyboards)
Did I Tell You (with SZ)
I Am A Rock (Paul Simon) (with SZ)
It’s Too Late (Carole King) (with SZ and Dawn Richard on vocals)
I Don’t Wanna Walk Around With You (Ramones) (with DR)
Fallout
Flying Lesson (Hot Chicken #1)
Stockholm Syndrome
I Heard You Looking
*(encore)* with Ernie Brooks on bass/vocals
She Cracked (Modern Lovers)
Government Center (Modern Lovers)
Fly Into the Mystery (Modern Lovers)
Roadrunner (Modern Lovers)