Nine years ago, at my first ever concert, Sonic Youth was supposed to open for Pearl Jam. A personal emergency ensued backstage, and the band was never able to take the stage. During the beginning of Pearl Jam's set, Eddie Vedder addressed the crowd as to the situation:
"I'm real sorry that you didn't get to see an incredible band that you may never have seen before and hopefully you'll have a chance to see again."
Last night, that chance came.
At around 5PM yesterday, I decided to check Craig's List to see if there were any tickets left to the show. It was Sonic Youth's last night in New York City, and I figured it couldn't hurt to check. I easily found cheap tickets, and soon Yoni and I were off the the show. We arrived early and made it pretty close to the front. When a mosh pit broke out during the opener's set, we were able to squeeze our way even closer to the front; about 2 or 3 people from the stage.
Finally, perfectly positioned in front of the drums, not 5 feet from the stage, we witnessed these kings of noise rock and the alternative music movement take the stage. And suddenly, a sound filled the room unlike any other. It was noise, but it was melodic too. It was loud, but it was also beautiful. There were times when I could tell who was playing what, and times when I was so confused that all I could do was look up at Kim Gordon and grin.
Now, just to take a step backwards, I'm not the hugest Sonic Youth fan. I enjoy their music, but I wouldn't say I know it well. I've listened to the new album, and enjoyed it, but didn't fully digest it to the point where I knew the songs well. But despite that fact, and despite the fact that last night's set was sampled primarily from 2009's The Enternal (sans a few Daydream Nation tunes in there), I was still able to connect with the band, and get totally immersed in the music.
From the radio/cassette player Thurston Moore had hooked up to his amp to create weird noises, to the delay pedal Lee Ranaldo had attached to his mic stand, to an array of metal objects used as pics, to a violin bow; the show was filled with weird but gorgeous and creatively brilliant sounds.
Towards the end of the show, when Thurston Moore jumped into the crowd for the third time that night, the one guy between me and the stage couldn't resist getting a chance to get close to his idol, and he left his coveted spot up against the stage. Disbelieving, I quickly moved in, and settled myself in the closest position I have ever been for a concert.
While the band may not have connected emotionally with the audience (no eye contact, high fives, and the only time we were addressed was when Kim told two kids to stop fighting - she's such a mom), they certainly were immersed in the music. Throughout the entirety of the symphonic cacophony (I know that's an oxymoron, but it's the only true way to describe their sound) of the show, the band never ceased to appear totally lost in the sounds they were creating. They seemed almost possessed.
In all, it was a great way to start my Thanksgiving break. If you get the chance to see them, make sure you go; they are not an act to be missed.
