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Concert Review: Tune-yards, October 8, Black Cat

Posted on
12 Oct 2011
by
halley

Washington DC – I have nothing but positive things to say about Tune Yards’ show on October 8, 2011 at the Black Cat.

Her asymmetrical mullet: awesome.
Her back-up saxophonists: stars.
Her face paint: great.
Her banter: hilarious.
Her songs: phenomenal.

The show started with Pat Jordache, a nice band, but not a show-stopper. Honestly, the most intriguing part of their act was the drummer’s apparel: a wife beater and a pair of uber short boxer shorts. Whatever does it for you, Dude. Don’t get dressed for us. (The other memorable part of their act was the fact they actually had two guys sitting across from each other playing one huge set of drums. My friends and I agreed they’ve all been friends forever and, even though they don’t actually need two drummers, they couldn’t bear to send one packing. The only other viable idea we could come up with was that boxer-boy suffers from narcolepsy – hence the sleepwear apparel – so they need a constant backup in case he suffers from an unexpected nap in the midst of a show.)

Anyway. Tune Yards had actually sold out both her shows at the Black Cat (shout out to female rockers!) so my friends and I had only managed to get tickets to the early show. Doors were at 6 and Tune Yards came on at 7:30. She proved super friendly from the get-go, thanking us all for coming out and asking us what we were going to do for the rest of our nights after the show ended at 9:00. Someone yelled out: “have your babies!!” to which she replied “Nope, nope, that’s not gonna happen. Appreciate the offer, though” without missing a beat.

She then launched into an hour of straight tunes. She was super impressive, juggling the electronic/technical aspect (looping all her sounds and playbacks herself), emitting noises I didn’t know humans could make, and playing drum and banjo effortlessly. Her back-up crew (a guitarist and two saxophonists) was awesome, making the songs better than they are recorded due to their improvisations and obvious delight to be playing with The Woman Herself (I also highly enjoyed one of the saxophonist’s enthusiastic pot-banging at times – who says pots are only useful in the kitchen?) The band played my two favorites, Gangsta and Bizness, and ended
with a song I’d never heard before but instantly loved: My Country. Check them out if you don’t know them (and even if you do – it’s worth a re-listen).

Basically, nothing but big love to Tune Yards. And a plea to come back sooner rather than later.

TUnE-yArDs – Bizness by Posh Magazine

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