Latest news with #YeahYeahYeahs
San Francisco Chronicle
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Yeah Yeah Yeahs ditch the chaos for a quiet, powerful night in San Francisco
Longtime fans of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs are accustomed to seeing Karen O thrash across the stage and spray beer into the air. The frontwoman's statuesque presence and glam fashion solidified her rep as one of most enigmatic performers of this millennium. Yet on Monday, July 14, for the first of two back-to-back San Francisco concerts at Davies Symphony Hall, a centerstage stool for O hinted at what was to come: 90 minutes of lead singer O, guitarist Nick Zinner and drummer Brian Chase purposefully shaving off serrated edges and slowing down tempos, revealing the beauty at each song's core. 'We've been working on this very different Yeah Yeah Yeahs show. It's very vulnerable,' O explained, early on. 'Nothing's more 'punk rock' than being vulnerable.' After 25 years of creating catharsis from chaos, the New York art-punk trio was reimagining their catalog with fresh arrangements and textures. The intent was to counter the outside world's current doom spiral with an expression of clarity and community through their music. To meet the moment, they were joined by guitarist and longtime collaborator Imaad Wasif, a string quartet and a conductor who doubled as stand up bassist. The setting was the tony home of the San Francisco Symphony, part of the band's 18-date Hidden in Piece tour, designed for smaller — and in the case of Davies, more ornate — acoustically pure theaters. Shannon Shaw of Oakland indie faves Shannon and the Clams opened the evening with a set of torchy roots-rock that bridged vintage Americana, Motown pop and DIY punk. Shaw was joined by fiddler Sivan Lioncub and keyboardist Joel Robinow, all sounding great in the classy environment (Shaw's click-clack footsteps were audible in the upper tier). As for the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, 'Cheated Hearts' and ' Skeletons ' benefited the most from this reconfiguration, the string section sawing away with verve, and drummer Brian Chase using timpani mallets to build 'Skeletons' to a triumphant close. 'Y Control' and 'Gold Lion' were similarly reconstructed but retained their lean sinew, while 'Despair' was a rousing halftime speech to elevate the masses. 'We're all on the edge, there's nothing to fear inside,' sang O. 'Through the darkness and the light, some sun has got to shine.' Still, there were moments of dissonance. Casual fans expecting to hear Zinner's epic guitar breakdown on the band's biggest hit, 2003's 'Maps,' had to settle for an unplugged take that whispered with gentle intimacy. This more subdued version begs to be used during opening credits on 'The Bear.' A cover of Björk's 'Hyper-Ballad' — a song Zinner and O noodled with when the band first formed in 2000 — was cooked down to its acoustic guitar-vocal essence. For YYY stans this might have been epic, but for YYY fans who know and/or revere Björk's original, the contrast was too much to process. Dressed in a red Christian Joy jumpsuit, Karen O was typically commanding, mostly ignoring the stool. During 'Spitting Off the Edge of the World,' she jumped up and down and two-stepped like an excited auntie at a wedding reception. Occasionally she brought out her old tricks, whipping the mic cord while posing and preening. But despite her approval of the audience standing up and dancing in their rows, many chose to enjoy the show seated. With early YYY fans who roughed it in the pit now reaching their 40s and 50s, this was an understandable compromise. As extra treats for its day-ones, the group dusted off a couple rarities: 'Our Time' from the band's self-titled 2001 EP, and a resplendent 'Warrior,' which was introduced with a bit of 'Isis.' A great Yeah Yeah Yeahs song has the power to propel you to the top of the world. These new versions make you feel like you're floating in an alternate universe, a zoom-out that allows for even deeper examination and introspection. Blacktop Our Time Gold Lion Hyper-Ballad (Bjork cover) Cheated Hearts Isis/Warrior Despair Skeletons Spitting Off the Edge of the World Maps Turn Into Y Control Zero Todd Inoue is a freelance writer.
San Francisco Chronicle
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Queens of the Stone Age to perform reworked hits in S.F.
Queens of the Stone Age is bringing newly reimagined versions of its hit songs to San Francisco this fall. The rock band is scheduled to take over Davies Symphony Hall on Nov. 10, as part of its limited-run Catacombs Tour. The trek draws on the band's recent concert film, 'Alive in the Catacombs,' which was shot in the Catacombs of Paris and released earlier this month. The Josh Homme-fronted group known for tracks like 'No One Knows' and 'Go With The Flow,' plans to 'draw upon the spirit of those sublime subterranean renditions' and enhance them with 'assembled ensembles,' according to the band's tour announcement released Monday, June 23. Ticket presales begin at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 24, with general sales starting at 10 a.m. Friday, June 27. Fellow alt-rockers the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, which rose to prominence around the same time as Queens of the Stone Age in the aughts, is also scheduled to perform at Davies on July 14-15 as part of its Hidden in Pieces 25th anniversary tour. Queens of the Stone Age's series of intimate shows, all of which are set in historic theaters, kicks off on Oct. 2 in Chicago and wraps up in New Orleans on Nov. 21. European dates are expected to be announced soon. 'You'll want to look as good as the music is going to sound on this very special evening at the theater,' the tour announcement states, encouraging fans to dress up for the occasion. Queens of the Stone Age have only recently returned to live performances, following a string of cancellations last year prompted by Homme's health issues, including an undisclosed emergency surgery. While the band did not share details, Homme revealed in 2023 that he had undergone successful cancer treatment. The group's most recent album, 'In Time New Roman…,' was released in July 2024.
Metro
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Glastonbury mystery performer ‘gives away' appearance with arrival in the UK
Glastonbury fever is reaching new heights after a rock icon was spotted in London just days before the legendary festival kicks off. Fans are convinced a surprise appearance is on the cards from the Foo Fighters frontman, Dave Grohl, 56. The iconic musican was seen backstage at the Yeah Yeah Yeahs gig at the Royal Albert Hall, where he posed for a photo with American singer Amanda Palmer. The image quickly made the rounds on social media, with Palmer sharing the snap and gushing: 'Not who I expected to run into backstage… but look, it's Dave Grohl. We shared a sweet conversation mostly singing the cosmic praises of Melissa auf der Maur.' Reddit detectives were quick to connect the dots and speculation exploded about Grohl appearing at Worthy Farm as a mystery guest. In 2023, Grohl and the Foo Fighters stunned the crowd with a surprise set under the alias The Churn Ups, marking their first Glasto performance since headlining in 2017 — and their first major UK gig since the tragic passing of drummer Taylor Hawkins in 2022. Now, fans believe Grohl might pop up again. One Redditer wrote: 'Dave Grohl is in London, likely will be at the festival. Has done bits with John Fogerty in the past and other acts. Surely will be popping up at places this year?' More Trending Another speculated a touching tribute might be in store: 'Drumming for Alanis Morissette possibly? Tribute for Taylor Hawkins?' Another wrote: '100% he will be milling about – I'd say a couple of guest appearances are a safe bet. Maybe Alanis for a song or Neil Young for an encore' It wouldn't be far-fetched as Alanis Morissette, set to perform on the Pyramid Stage at 6:15pm on the 27th, was closely linked to Hawkins as he played drums for her before joining the Foo Fighters in 1997. This year's lineup includes The 1975, Olivia Rodrigo, Charli XCX, Doechii, and more — but if Dave Grohl shows up, expect an iconic Glastonbury moment that fans will be talking about for years. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: The weird and wonderful ways you can cure a Glastonbury hangover MORE: 'I'm walking 192 miles to Glastonbury 25 years after going with my famous parents' MORE: Sir Rod Stewart confirms he will bring 'three guests' on stage for Glastonbury set
The Sun
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Rock legend ‘gives away' he's Glastonbury's mystery performer as he flies into UK days before festival
GLASTONBURY fans have gone wild after one mega music star dropped a huge hint that he's headed to the festival. The American musician has flown in to the UK just days before this year's Glastonbury gets underway at Worthy Farm. 5 5 Fans are convinced he will be making a 'surprise' appearance at the huge music event - especially as he has done it before. Dave Grohl, 56, has sent fans into a spin after posing for a photo with US singer Amanda Palmer at London 's Royal Albert Hall. Amanda was backstage at a gig by rock band Yeah Yeah Yeahs when she bumped into the Foo Fighters legend. After grabbing Dave for a photo, she shared it on social media and told her followers: "Well I'll be damned. Not who I expected to run into backstage at the Yeah Yeah Yeah's show in London tonight, but look, it's Dave Grohl. She added: "We shared a sweet conversation mostly singing the cosmic praises of Melissa auf der Maur, whose magnificence truly obscures both of us. "It was really nice to meet you, Dave." Writing on Reddit, fans have been quick to make the connection between Dave's trip to London and next week's Glastonbury Festival. In 2023, a mystery act called The Churn Ups caused a stir when they featured on the Pyramid Stage bill. Fans went into a frenzy trying to work out who the band was, before they were eventually unmasked as The Foo Fighters. Starting a new thread on Reddit, music fans are now convinced Dave will be making another surprise appearance at Glastonbury. Fans slam Glastonbury as 'worst one ever' as full lineup announced One wrote: "Dave Grohl is in London, likely will be at the festival. Has done bits with John Fogerty in the past and other acts. Surely will be popping up at places this year?" Another replied: "Drumming for Alanis Morrisette possibly? Tribute for Taylor Hawkins?" And a third added: "100% will be milling about - I'd say a couple of guest appearances are a safe bet. Maybe Alanis for a song or Neil Young for an encore." The Foo Fighters' surprise Glastonbury set in 2023 was the first time the band had been at the festival since headlining in 2017. It was also their first major gig in the UK following the death of the band's drummer Taylor Hawkins, who passed away in March 2022 aged 50. Taylor had joined The Foo Fighters in 1997 and, prior to that, was the drummer on Alanis Morrissette's tour. Canadian musician Alanis is listed to perform on the Pyramid Stage at 6.15pm next Friday (June 27), which would be the perfect time for Dave to appear. Other headliners this year include The 1975, Neil Young, Olivia Rodrigo, Charli XCX, Doechii and The Prodigy. Glastonbury 2025 - confirmed acts so far TICKETS to the 2025 festival sold out in just minutes before some of the acts were even confirmed. Here is who has been confirmed so far. Confirmed headliners: The 1975 will take to the Pyramid Stage on Friday. Neil Young will headline the festival for the second time after his last set in 2009 on Saturday after RAYE makes her return. Charli xcx will headline the Other Stage on Saturday night. On Sunday, Olivia Rodrigo is due to belt out her hits for her first appearance while Rod Stewart will perform in the legends slot. More acts to appear on the Other Stage include Loyle Carner and The Prodigy. Doechii will make her Glastonbury debut on the West Holts Stage on Saturday night. Other names confirmed include Noah Kahan, Alanis Morissette, Gracie Abrams, Busta Rhymes, Lola Young, Brandi Carlile, Myles Smith, En Vogue, Amaarae, Cymande, Shaboozey, Osees and Gary Numan. Rod Stewart will also be performing in the Legends slot, having previously headlined at Worthy Farm 23 years ago. This week, the rock icon revealed in an interview how much he is being paid to perform this year - and how much he is set to lose. Rod told the Radio Times: "It was about eight months ago when I was asked to do it, maybe a little longer. But it didn't fit with my schedule because I've got to bring everybody back from America. "It's going to cost me £300,000 to do it and they only pay you about 120,000 quid. So it's going to cost me." 5 5 5
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Wait. The TikTokers don't love you like I love you - Yeah Yeah Yeahs thrill at Manchester Apollo
Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Manchester Apollo. Monday June 16, 2025. What do you do when your most famous song has been completely bastardised by a TikTok dance craze? If you're the Yeah Yeah Yeahs you strip it back entirely and add a string quartet. READ MORE: 45 of Parklife 2025's most fashionable festival-goers READ MORE: Chris Brown brings surprise star guest out at Co-op Live gig in Manchester It could easily have been business as usual for the New York trio - now 25 years into their journey as one of the most revered indie darlings of the 21st century. An electric live band, their pretentious, cerebral art-rock speaks for a generation. So when they announced a short tour to celebrate their many years together, it sold out in minutes. More recently, they have found fame with a new audience much younger than the Millennials who grew up hearing Y Control and Zero blasting out of the speakers at 5th Ave and 42s. That's because their glorious ballad Maps has become part of a viral dance trend that propelled the song to the top of the TikTop Billboard Top 50 chart - 21 years after its release. But it's the die hard fans rather than the TikTokers who fill the seats of Manchester Apollo tonight. After a test run in California, Manchester is the first stop on a tour of 'beautiful iconic theatres' and one of only two UK dates. The Hidden In Pieces tour is intended to display YYY's softer, more mature side with the band working alongside a string quartet to show off a selection of rarities and B-Sides. And from the opening chords of lovesong Blacktop, it's clear this is going to be something pretty special. Frontwoman Karen O's pure, delicate vocal rings out above a reverberating synth - setting the tone for a show filled with delicate and heartfelt moments of beauty. O is usually one of the most energetic performers around. But she spends much of this set gently pottering about the stage in a red jumpsuit, gold boots and a blue diamond encrusted cape. During some of it, she's even sitting down - unheard of at a normal YYY's gig. The last time they visited Manchester, O spat water into the air, growled, roared, rolled around and hurtled about the stage. That's her shtick. Tonight she is a different beast. Older, wiser, more relaxed - much like her audience (I can't have been the only one to delight in the prospect of a seated gig on a weeknight). 'Are you ready to get comfy and cosy with the Yeah Yeah Yeahs tonight?' she asks. 'This is new for us. It's just you and us tonight.' Promising some 'deep cuts' from their back catalogue, O launches into Mystery Girl - a very early song from their first EP. Then there's an acoustic guitar version of the anthemic Gold Lion which doesn't stray too far from the source, but slows the tempo down and adds a double bass. Let Me Know - a B-side O admits is only really for true fans, follows with a searing string quartet intro. A cover of Bjork's Hyperballad doesn't quite work and it takes me a little while to recognise the bonkers lyrics of that masterpiece above a busy arrangement and overly loud synth. And IsIs - a gloriously chaotic racket in its recorded form - honestly sounds a bit of a mess here. But overall the orchestral arrangements in this show throw new light and shade on YYY's raw, exposing lyrics. As O, guitarist Nick Zinner and drummer Brian Chase power into fan favourite Cheated Hearts, the energy ramps up and you can feel they are on safer ground. Warrior lends itself well to this more acoustic sound and really allows O to show off both the vulnerability and explosive power of her unique voice. A new arrangement of Runaway sounds lovely and achieves the Lynchian vibe the band may have hoped to display when they cited the late great director in their press for this tour. It sounds huge and dramatic with strings adding an ethereal, Mica Levi-like eeriness. O has always been an emotionally raw performer - you need only look at the famously heart-wrenching video for Maps to glean that. But this evening's performance is bolder still. 'I'm not really sure why we're doing this,' she admits 'We just really wanted to. 'We just wanted to sing these songs really vulnerable for you. It's really special to be here doing this with you.' This is a bold, experimental show which at times feels more akin to something you would find at Manchester International Festival rather than the Apollo on a Monday night. There are also moments of huge charm and emotion. The short pretty Mars - which O dedicates to her son Django - is an ode to childhood wonder and wisdom. While Maps - an already sorrowful song - is elevated with an utterly beautiful string quartet interlude. 'Those strings man,' gasps a visibly moved O. An acoustic, almost Country version of Spitting off the Edge of the World leads us into songs it would be impossible not to include - Modern Romance, Y Control. An encore in which O dons light-up trainers and blasts out Burning and Zero in her more usual energetic style brings the show to a thrilling end, and all before 10pm - something that disappoints the girls in front of me who have just returned to their seats with fresh pints. As a Millennial of a certain age, I admit that the nostalgia linked to YYYs might not make me the most impartial of reviewers. I love this band. I have a Stan Chow poster of Karen O on my living room wall. I am an early noughties cliché. But even I am not impervious to their mistakes. At some points tonight, the heady mix of strings, synth and fuzzy guitars sounds a mess. But mostly, it's a spectacular show. And unlike some of their peers from the New York indie sleaze era, Yeah Yeah Yeahs are always developing. This might be a gig for true fans, but the TikTokers are missing out on something truly beautiful.
