Yo La Tengo: The Soft Boys joined their concert
On December 28, the English post-punk group The Soft Boys joined the concert of Yo La Tengo in New York for a joint final jam.
The Soft Boys frontman Robyn Hitchcockwho released his latest solo album “Life After Infinity” in 2023, led the way for Yo There I hold at the Bowery Ballroom.
He then returned to the stage during the encore, where he was joined by the Soft Boys guitarist Kimberley Rev and the drummer Morris Windsor together with Yo La Tengo.
Together, the trio reunited for a series of songs including covers of “It’s All Too Much” by The Beatles and “Run Run Run” by The Velvet Underground (See the complete setlist for the evening below).
The December 28 concert marked the fourth night of Y’s ten-date residencyor I’ll keep it at the Bowery Ballroom, which since 2001 has become an annual celebration of Hannukkah (the Jewish festival of lights or enlightenments). This year, all proceeds from the concerts will be donated to the Coalition For The Homeless.
THE Soft Boysformed in Cambridge in 1976, initially disbanded in 1981 following the release of their second album, “Underwater Moonlight.” They then reunited in 2001 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the aforementioned LP. During this period they recorded a new album, “Nextdoorland”, before disbanding again in 2003.
Bassist Matthew Seligman, who participated in the group’s last reunion, died in 2020 due to complications from Covid-19. He also worked with artists such as David Bowie and Morrissey after the breakup of the Soft Boys. In his place for the occasion was Lee Cave-Berry.
After his death, Hitchcock shared: “I’m deeply grateful to have played with him – you could actually see his face light up like a full moon when he listened back to a take he liked. On stage he wiggled and waved and walked when the music moved him. Matthew is, was and will always be one of the greats. My heart goes out to his partner, Mami, his children Daisy and Lily and all those who were close to him and his lunar intensity.”
The evening’s lineup
Green Arrow
Sinatra Drive Breakdown
Cherry Chapstick
Ashes
I’ll Be Around
Swing for Life
Gentle Hour
The Point of It
Aselestine
Tiny Birds
The Race Is On Again (with Kimberley Rew)
Beanbag Chair
Styles of the Times
Decorate
The Story of Yo La Tango
Big Day Coming
Encore:
Queen of Eyes (The Soft Boys cover) (with Robyn Hitchcock, Morris Windsor, Kimberley Rew and Lee Cave-Berry)
Baby, Let Me Follow You Down (Eric Von Schmidt cover) (with Robyn Hitchcock, Morris Windsor, Kimberley Rew and Lee Cave-Berry)
Run Run Run (The Velvet Underground cover) (with Robyn Hitchcock, Morris Windsor, Kimberley Rew and Lee Cave-Berry)
I Wanna Destroy You (The Soft Boys cover) (with Robyn Hitchcock, Morris Windsor, Kimberley Rew and Lee Cave-Berry)
It’s All Too Much (The Beatles cover) (with Robyn Hitchcock, Morris Windsor, Kimberley Rew and Lee Cave-Berry)
