Yo La Tengo Kicks Off 1st Run Of Hanukkah Shows In 5 Years With Nick Lowe & Others

In 2001, Yo La Tengo began a tradition of playing the eight nights of Hanukkah in their hometown at Maxwell’s in Hoboken, New Jersey. The annual traditional run of guest-filled shows ended following the closure of the club in July 2013. YLT revived their holiday celebration last night with the first of eight straight concerts at the Bowery Ballroom in New York City.

The trio of Ira Kaplan, Georgia Hubley and James McNew were joined for the majority of their performance by guest guitarist Mary Halvorson and harpist Zeena Parkins. Opening night began with a cover of “New York Groove” by KISS guitarist Ace Frehley but sung with the lyrics altered to, “Back with the New York Jews.”

The career-spanning main set featured Yo La Tengo favorites such as “From A Motel Six,” “Walking Away From You,” “Last Days of Disco,” “Moby Octopad” and “Tom Courtenay.” The encore saw the group also joined by Miriam Linna and Bruce Bennett of opening act Miriam & Nobody’s Babies for a cover of The Zantees’ “So Easy Baby.”

Renowned singer-songwriter Nick Lowe then emerged to join in on “Cruel To Be Kind,” “Baby, It’s You,” “Here Comes the Night,” “Shake That Rat” and “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace Love and Understanding?” Comedians Todd Barry and Bob Odenkirk also appeared and the mix CD was compiled by Minutemen/fIREHOSE/Big Walnuts Yonder bassist Mike Watt.

Watch audience-shot video clips from last night at the Bowery below:

[New York Groove | Captured by agoraphone]

[So Easy Baby | Captured by clamwich71]

https://www.instagram.com/p/BcpdgWdhAMr/

[Cruel To Be Kind | Captured by agoraphone]

[Baby It’s You | Captured by willheorwillhe]

https://www.instagram.com/p/BcpW9NJhsuP/

[Here Comes The Night | Captured by clamwich71]

https://www.instagram.com/p/BcpXaaWhY7m/

[(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding | Captured byneiledwardbad]

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bcobt8nFGMv/

[(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding | Captured by cougatz]

[Hat Tip – Frank & Earthy]