You never know who is going to turn up for Yo La Tengo‘s Hanukkah shows at Bowery Ballroom but the closest to a sure thing is that Sun Ra Arkestra will play one of them. This year it happened on Night 7 which was also New Year’s Eve. Still led by Marshall Allen, who celebrated his 100th birthday in May, the Arkestra both opened the show and joined Yo La Tengo for its second half, which rang in 2025.
Yo La Tengo opened their set with “Stupid Things” and also played “The Summer,” “Until it Happens,” “I’m on My Way,” and more before the Sun Ra Arkestra horns came out to play on “Here You Are” and stuck around for the rest of the set, which included a cover of Sun Ra’s “Unmask Batman,” and “Nuclear War,” which closed out the main set.
Also on hand were Miriam Linna and Bruce Bennett of The A-Bones, who joined Georgia, Ira and James to cover Mirk Fern & Del Royals’ “A Bomb Bop,” and then returned for the extended encore that featured covers of Frankie Laine’s “Don’t Make My Baby Blue,” Randy Newman’s “Have You Seen My Baby” (the Flamin’ Groovies version), The Only Ones’ “Another Girl Another Planet,” and The Cyrus Erie’s “Get the Message.” They also performed “It’s So Easy” by The Zantees (Miriam’s pre A-Bones band with the late Billy Miller). Yo La Tengo then bid the guests goodnight and closed out Night 7 with an acoustic version of “Autumn Sweater.” Check out photos by Ellen Qbertplaya from the whole night, along the full setlist (via Jesse Jarnow), and video, below.
Dave Hill, with a little help from The Ladybug Transistor’s Julia Rydholm, brought his unique musical comedy stylings as the other surprise Night 7 opener, Low’s Alan Sparhawk made the mix CD and the post-show DJs were Ira, Georgia and Todd-O-Phonic Todd. Night 7 proceeds benefited Afrikana and Artists-Athletes-Activists.
Only one night left. Will Rabbi Sugarman make an appearance? Who might the final musical guest be? Stay tuned.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86_hB1XTu1o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OCi-xbdsvI
SETLIST: Yo La Tengo @ 12/31/2024 (Hanukkah Night 7) (via Frank & Earthy)
Stupid Things
Upside Down
The Summer
Madeline
Until It Happens
I’m On My Way
Satellite
Here You Are (with Sun Ra Arkestra horns)
Dreaming (Sun Ra) (with Arkestra horns)
midnight
A Bomb Bop (Mike Fern & Del Royals) (with Arkestra horns, Miriam Linna on vocals/percussion, & Bruce Bennett on guitar)
Unmask the Batman (Sun Ra) (with Arkestra horns)
Brain Capers (with Arkestra horns)
Emulsified (Rex Garvin) (with Arkestra horns)
Nuclear War (Sun Ra) (with Arkestra horns)
*(encore)*
Don’t Make My Baby Blue (Cynthia Weill) (with ML & BB)
Have You Seen My Baby (Randy Newman, arr. Flamin’ Groovies) (with ML & BB)
It’s So Easy (The Zantees) (with ML & BB)
Get the Message (The Cyrus Erie) (with ML & BB)
Another Girl, Another Planet (The Only Ones) (with ML & BB)
Autumn Sweater (acoustic)