By Kayt Conti
THE ATMOSPHERE:
With an impressive twenty five albums under their belt, the alternative rock group Sonic Youth has been going strong since 1981. They played a show at Webster Hall (11th and 3rd) on February 16th, and all were reminded why the band has had such success. Sonic Youth formed in New York City and was an influential part of the post-punk period of the 90s. They were one of the most highly regarded alternative bands of their day.
Their sound ranges from ethereal string plucks to weighty meshed chords. Expect picks grinding up and down fret boards, whispery vocals on some songs, and quick, catchy beats on others.
The crowd at Webster Hall that Friday was as diverse as Sonic Youth’s songs. While I did encounter fellow NYUers at the show, there were also thirty-something year olds with dreads, twenty-something year olds with flasks, and innumerable carefree people who didn’t care who the hell saw them dance to their hearts' content.
THE PERFORMANCE:
While each member of Sonic Youth possesses incredible talent, the most well known in the group are Kim Gordon and Thurston Moore.
Kim Gordon is 53 years old, but on stage she’s as energetic and passionate as a teenager playing New York for the first time. Dressed in a metallic silver shirt-dress and black leggings, Kim resembled a star bouncing around the stage. Intensely into whichever instrument she was playing (guitar or bass on any given song), Kim looked like she belonged on stage. When she wasn’t simultaneously playing guitar and singing, she was dancing around the stage, rhythmically flailing her arms and bopping her head. It was difficult to take your eyes off her; she seemed to physically embody the music that Sonic Youth was playing.
Sonic Youth’s other front person, Thurston Moore, 49, was equally as captivating. His hair just long enough to cover his eyes, Thurston addressed the audience as if they were some friends in his living room. After playing their opening song, Thurston spoke into the microphone, to no one in particular, “Thanks for comin’ out man. It’s great to be in New York.” He played most of the set bent over his guitar in a way that brings images of so many timeless rock stars to mind.
[Thurston Moore, r.]
WHAT TO CHECK OUT:
While Sonic Youth’s inventory of songs is almost too deep to delve into, classics worth checking out include “Silver Rocket,” and “Teenage Riot.” Impressive tracks from their newest album, Rather Ripped (released June 2006) include “Rats,” “Incinerate,” and “Or.” Keep an eye out for their next trip to New York--you don’t want to miss it.