For the fifth night of their 2023 Hanukkah run, Yo La Tengo had a very special guest to join them for the encore: Ben Gibbard, who spent much of the year pulling double-duty at arenas around North America on the Postal Service / Death Cab for Cutie tour. He came out to join Ira, Georgia and James to cover The Cramps‘ “Drug Train” and Hall & Oates‘ “You Make My Dreams Come True,” before closing the night with a version of Death Cab’s “The Ghosts of Beverly Drive.” You can watch video below.
As mentioned, Meg Baird (whose great album Furling came out early this year) opened Hanukkah Night 5; she was backed by her Heron Oblivion bandmate Charlie Saufley, and was later joined by drummer Damon Krukowski, and then his partner Naomi Yang as well. They all joined Yo La Tengo at various points during the set, including a cover of Goffin/King’s “Goin’ Back” which was a hit for Dusty Springfield and The Byrds. Meg and Charlie also opened YLT’s encore for The Hollies‘ classic “Bus Stop,” before Ben came out.
Yo La Tengo’s set included the title track from this year’s This Stupid World, “Tom Courenay,” “Damage,” “Beanbag,” and an epic, killer “Pass the Hatchet, I Think I’m Goodkind” to close out the main set.
Check out Yo La Tengo’s Night 5 setlist (via Jesse Jarnow) and a few fan-taken videos below. Thanks to Ellen Qbertplaya for help with this post and a few pictures which are below.
Mia Jackson was Night 5 comedian, Mona from WFMU was the post-show DJ, Ira Kaplan made the night’s mix CD, and proceeds benefited the Violence Policy Center.
Only three nights left! Tickets for the remaining shows are currently sold out, but the band often release some day-of show, and it’s worth checking back if you’re really trying to go.
Check out pics, setlists, video and recaps of Yo La Tengo’s whole 2023 Hanukkah run.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDyuzcpGt8Y&pp=ygULeW8gbGEgdGVuZ28%3D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBMwPS_ffhg&pp=ygULeW8gbGEgdGVuZ28%3D
SETLIST: Yo La Tengo at Bowery Ballroom 12/11/2023 (Hanukkah Night 5) (via Frank & Earthy)
Big Day Coming (fast)
My Heart’s Reflection
Ashes
I’m On My Way
From A Motel 6
Beanbag Chair
The Point of It (with Charlie Saufley on guitar)
Sorrow (The McCoys) (with CS & Meg Baird on vocals/percussion)
Goin’ Back (Carole King & Gerry Goffin) (with CS, MB, Damon Krukowski on drums, Naomi Yang on keyboards/vocals)
Two Trains (with CS & MB)
Damage (with CS & MB)
This Stupid World (with CS & MB)
Nothing To Hide (with CS)
Tom Courtenay (with CS)
Pass the Hatchet, I Think I’m Goodkind (with CS)
*(encore)*
Bus Stop (The Hollies) (with CS & MB)
Drug Train (The Cramps) (with Ben Gibbard on guitar/vocals)
You Make My Dreams Come True (Hall & Oates) (with BG)
The Ghosts of Beverly Drive (Death Cab For Cutie) (with BG)