The Feelies and Sonic Youth Live on Indepdence Day

By Nicole & Gabe on July 7, 2008 in mp3blog

On July 4th several KRLX DJs had the privilege of attending a free, but nonetheless ticketed, concert in New York's Battery Park. The show featured the legendary New Jersey based jangly pop wonders, The Feelies, in one of their first performances in 17 years, and the timeless and effortlessly hip discordant guitar numbers of Sonic Youth. The acoustic quality was remarkably pristine at this outdoor venue allowing fans to truly appreciate this concert. Despite inclement weather, a devoted fan base turned out early and in droves for this very special concert.



Thurston Moore asked The Feelies to reunite for this occasion, since back in their touring days The Feelies were primarily known for performing on national holidays. The Feelies are lauded by critics for their consummate guitarmanship and highly influential sound that channels the Velvet Underground through the current face of modern independent rock music. The band talked minimally and jammed through a robust and extremely satisfying 40 minute set. Highlights included a rollicking version of "Higher Ground," a propulsive version of "Crazy Rhythms," and a cover of Wire's "Outdoor Miner." The WFMU DJ who emceed the event described the group's set as "rare, shimmering, and beautiful" - which while mawkish, accurately describes the band's remarkable performance.

Nicole, I think "remarkable" could only suffer from the possibility of being too weak a word. I thought the set started a little slow, but they really had me when Glenn Mercer stepped back for the first time and the group chorused on "Let's Go." As they got to some "weirder" songs and then as the pulse quickened toward the end, the set only got that much more irresistible. My only grouse was that they didn't play "Time for a Witness," but I guess I'll just have to catch them next time, maybe Chanukah '08?

The Feelies - Let's Go



Sonic Youth have captivated audiences and critics with their musical efforts since Thurston Moore, Kim Gordon, and Lee Ranaldo, formed the group nearly 30 years ago. This triumvirate still anchors the band as they have experimented with seemingly every facet of guitar rock over the years. Friday's ninety minute set demonstrated the group's genius. The band opened with "She Is Not Alone" which originally appeared on the group's first eponymous recording, setting the tone for a retrospective concert that highlighted some of the group's finest moments. The five selections from Sonic Youth's landmark album Daydream Nation resonated wonderfully with the diversely aged audience. The abrasive, yet catchy "Silver Rocket" allowed the the band to briefly dissolve into a highly welcome guitar freakout, the longer numbers like "The Sprawl" and "'Cross the Breeze" featured the band's ability to write noisy but ingeniously ordered seven minute songs. Brimming with tremendous energy, the group's double encore shows the band is unaffected by any signs of aging. The second encore was a true highlight featuring the openers from two of the group's other classic albums Sister and Dirty . The delightfully sinister "Schizophrenia" and the snarling "100%" were the perfect end to a great show.

Youthful indeed. The charming chemistry between Kim and Thurston was entertaining enough to detract from the compelling dynamic between Lee Ranaldo and Mark Ibold. The ex-Pavement bassist has only been making sporadic live appearances with the band since 2006, but his effortless performance suggested nothing of the kind. On stage he seemed a seasoned and entirely comfortable member of the group. The show was full of exciting moments; during one early solo, Thurston jumped into the audience and continued from there. But for me, the climax of the show occurred sometime during the sprawling and frenetic jangle freakout "Inhuman," which must have lasted almost five minutes. The show was free, but I can say without difficulty that it was more inspiring than any I've seen as of yet this summer. Perhaps even ever. No joke.

Sonic Youth - Silver Rocket

Sonic Youth - 'Cross the Breeze

Sonic Youth - 100%

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