Yeasayer – Le National – Sunday, May 2nd, 2010

Both Yeasayer and Sleigh Bells have had quite a lot riding on their shoulders; the former trying to live up to the smashing success of their first album, and the latter blog darlings having to prove themselves as more than just a passing fad. Therefore it was interesting to see two bands who are at very different turning points in their careers, yet who are both trying to make their marks in a musical climate oversaturated with dance pop beats, borrowed hip hop hooks, and electro post-punk mashups. Difficult task, yet both groups are managing quite well to stay oh so relevant while resisting arbitrary classifications.

Sleigh Bells’ guitarist Derek Miller was first to appear onstage. Upon tuning up his guitar, a powerful church bell began waft through the room and caught the curiosity of an anticipating crowd. As Miller began to rip through chord after chord, lead singer Alexis Krauss made her way onstage and immediately  started to thrash and jump about. The two-piece had no drummer, but instead played over laptop loops and beats. Normally, I am quite picky and critical of female lead singers. Yet one thing no one could argue with was how Krauss did not hold back, belting out song after song with aggressive and ferocious snarls, and unexpected screeches. It was interesting to see how though much of the audience made it out that night for Yeasayer, they still very much appreciated  post-punkers Sleigh Bells.

Le National has a knack for keeping set changes unbearably long. They continuously dimmed the lights to torture the amped-up crowd into thinking Yeasayer was coming any second. Finally the music stopped, the lights twinkled and the show  began. Yeasyer opened up with the epic, dark and robotic-sounding “The Children.” During “I Remember” almost every person chimed in for the ‘whoooa oh’ catchy refrain. By “Rome”, everyone had loosened up (the pungent scent filling the room suggested so at least) and unleashed their inner party animal. Yeasayer crafted a truly unique scene. As I turned around, people everywhere were dancing about with their eyes closed, as if in their own little worlds. The room was filled with pure bliss and continuous high energy.

I usually find that higher-range back-up vocals that sound great recorded often don’t translate well live show. No such problems seemed to arise for Yeasayer, as they offered their audience with a performance that perfectly displayed the intricate layers of sound featured in Odd Blood, through a wide array of key boards and pedals. Yeasayer have worked hard to get where they are today. Selling out Le National proves that sometimes all that buzz is well deserved. – Amelia Robitaille

Yeasayer

Sleigh Bells

Photography by Amelia Robitaille

Tags: 2010, Alexis Krauss, Amelia Robitaille, concert review, I Remember, Le National, M.I.A., May 2, N.E.E.T., Odd Blood, Review, Rome, Sleigh Bells, The Children, Treats, Yeasayer