Photo by Rob Hinkal via Basement East Instagram
Last night, Yo La Tengo performed at Basement East in Nashville, Tennessee as part of their ongoing 2023 tour, and in protest of a new Tennessee law restricting drag performances, Ira Kaplan and James McNew performed their second set. , which opened with “This Stupid World” – in drag.
The two performers wore a wig, makeup, dress, sun hat, and shawl, respectively, and used their music and stage presence to draw attention to the law banning “adult entertainment” on property. publicly and specifically “entertainment for men and women”. female impersonators” which was signed by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee. In particular, the law limits such impersonations to places with age restrictions.
Although they didn’t say anything directly about the law, they did say: “What we did last night could not have been clearer and requires no further comment.”
Other highlights of the night included covers of Hank Williams’ “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” “Nothing to Hide” and “Ohm,” along with an encore that included covers of The Clean featuring Matt Swanson, The Velvet Underground . and The Scene.
Yo La Tengo will be performing at the Nashville venue again tonight, though their outfits and set lists are currently only available for speculation.
I have it
Basement East – Nashville, Tennessee.
March 13, 2022
Series I: Sinatra Drive Breakdown, Tonight’s Episode, I Can’t Forget, Aselestine, It Doesn’t Have To Be This Way, So Sad, I’m So Lonely I Could Cry (Hank Williams cover), Apology Letter, Here You Are, Miles Away away
Set II: (James and Ira in disguise): This Stupid World, Let’s Save Tony Orlando’s House, Stockholm Syndrome, Beanbag Chair, Fallout, Drug Test, Nothing to Hide, Sugarcube, Ohm, The Story of Yo La Tango
Enc.: Point That Thing (The Clean cover) (with Matt Swanson), I’ll Be Your Mirror (The Velvet Underground cover), Yellow Sarong (The Scene Is Now cover)
