Sometimes it takes looking at an experience through new eyes to really appreciate it. As a fan of live music in general, I've probably been to–conservative estimate–200 shows in my admittedly short lifetime. But you never forget your first one. Mine? Bryan Adams, in Vancouver, with my mom, at the horribly awkward age of 11. There are so many things wrong with that sentence that I don't even want to talk about it, but I did have a great time–I wore a floral-print top that tied in the middle and sang along to "Cuts Like a Knife." Some two hundred shows later, I found myself (older, less likely to need ear plugs and sadly jaded) at the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' first night of two shows at Oakland's newly revamped Fox Theater. Wiggling my way through the floor crowd to a good viewpoint, I stopped in front of an adorable little gentleman I'll call Jimmy. Jimmy's parents are clearly and immeasurably cooler than mine–they brought him to see the YYYs, rather than some late '80s power ballad crooner, for his first show.
Watching the show from the perspective of this awesomely hip pre-teen made me forget all the little annoyances: the fact that bridge traffic took an hour longer than expected, my feet were killing me due to a poor shoe choice, the hipster chicks behind me were singing so loud I could barely hear Karen O. and I didn't pay to listen to some amateur karaoke session. No, I watched that show like it was my first, too; Jimmy still beat me in terms of enthusiasm–when he wasn't dancing his ass off he was singing loudly–but I gave it a valiant effort.
To set the scene, you've got to picture the Fox–the focal point of Oakland's revitalized Uptown district, it's a venue that's clearly from another era but shows its age well. Ornate details drip from the walls as if it's the Temple of Doom, and two huge bearded statues with light-up eyes flank the stage like guardians. With the level of swanky, old-school charm so palatable in the venue, the YYYs futuristic weirdness–a huge inflatable eyeball, ongoing light show, numerous confetti drops and K.O.'s ridiculously avant-garde fashion choices–were an odd but enjoyable juxtaposition.
The performance itself was nothing short of spectacular, even if the band left off most of Fever to Tell, their debut LP that first sparked my interest in their particular brand of dance rock. It was an It's Blitz! heavy evening–not surprising considering the popularity of the band's newest album. Opening the show was "Runaway," with K.O. coming out donned in what appeared to be a blanket, which she slipped off her head to reveal one of the weirdest outfits I've seen her in: a multi-color, zebra-printed, leotard-with-diaper-like contraption paired with blue leggings and fringed shoes. Runway chic or dollar-bin Halloween costume? Hard to tell with her. As much as the YYYs are known for their high-energy, dance-floor hits, it's these controlled, passionate ballads led by the androgynous songstress that fuel the show–besides "Runaway," she powered through "Skeletons," "Hysteric" and, during the encore, their well-known Fever to Tell track "Maps." These softer songs interspersed throughout the set list are what drives the performance–not only do they give K.O. a little break from her whirling dervish/aerobics instructor act to take a breather, but they show the versatility of the band and a level of emotion forgotten about during their catchier tunes. And while the ballads are probably more challenging musically, you'd never know it from the ease with which they perform.
But the crowd didn't come here for a bunch of sad songs, and the band didn't disappoint them. "Gold Lion" from Show Your Bones, "Man" from Fever to Tell and nearly the full track list from It's Blitz!–"Dull Life," "Soft Shock" and "Zero," which SFers have a particularly soft spot for considering the video was shot in the seedy Tenderloin 'hood–had the floor section pumping up and even those sitting in the balcony dancing in their seats.
Jimmy, throughout all of this, went crazy. By the time the YYYs got to the encore, he was rubbing his heavy eyelids, but still screaming the lyrics to "Date with the Night" and "Y Control." I only hope he can retain his enthusiasm–and amazing taste in music–for the years to come. That level of fandom is truly infectious.
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