Occasionally in its halcyon days, the WWF would pair two of its top stars in a tag team, even if they had little or nothing to do with each other, such as Randy "Macho Man" Savage, who unfortunately died recently, and the Ultimate Warrior. The writers typically did this to start a new storyline or paper over the lack of one -- and boost fans' interest. The greatest concern was whether these wrestlers could gel as a team. (Yes, even in professional wrestling, chemistry matters.)
Indie rock had a relatively similar plot development this week, as TV on the Radio and Broken Social Scene announced they're briefly touring together later this summer, and then the National and Yo La Tengo followed. None of these bands have much to do with the other. They're not label mates or friends and they don't have similar sounds. They also don't have much to gain from being with the other because their identities are well established, their fan bases generally overlap already, and their popularity has hit the point that they can do as they please. No one is hitching his van (or in this case, bus, considering their statures) to the other's.
TV on the Radio and Broken Social Scene are more sensical together because they're both "gateway indie-rock bands," if that makes sense. The other pairing is more puzzling because Yo La Tengo is at the point in its career when it should promote itself as it pleases and not have to open for anyone, even if the National sell multiples more in albums and tickets. I doubt Matador is requiring that they do this. Maybe the National deserve some good karma payback for having to headline a 2005 tour with Clap Your Hands Say Yeah just as the latter's debut album exploded. My friend saw that show at the Middle East and said everyone left before the National played, even though they had a very good record at the time. Ironically enough, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah imploded from the hype and an adequately received sophomore record, and is now returning from a three-year hiatus, while the National have since skyrocketed in popularity. (Career arcs can be surprising.)
Nonetheless, I'm excited about these shows and might even go to both even though they're within a week of each other. For all of its merits, Boston has never caught the trend of hosting summer indie-rock shows or festivals, even if every other major city and even some obscure far-flung places now do this. These two concerts may be as close as it gets. They're even outdoors, albeit at a lonely venue on the city's windswept edge. Also, what's so bad about allowing indie rock bands to play venues they wouldn't otherwise be able to fill and to have the chance to expand their fan bases?
Above is a video of Yo La Tengo performing "Sugarcubes," perhaps my favorite song of theirs, even if it might not be my favorite on that record.
2 comments:
By the "city's windswept edge" do you mean a up and coming innovation district within walking distance of he city center and views of the boston harbor. Not to mention with exciting plans being generated for its future at a design school across the river.
Why, yes, indeed, I do.
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