Back in San Diego for the weekend, the Belly Up is always on my list of places to visit. Perhaps it was strategic planning, but this past weekend’s excursions to San Diego happened to land on the same weekend as the Saturday night Yeasayer concert at the BUT. Set list snag: successful.
Hush Hush. Hush Hush, a ridiculous Berlin solo DJ act kicked off the show with a rousing, sexy set, or so he would say. This guy clearly doesn’t take himself seriously, which is refreshing. His bandcamp is littered with photos, or glamor shots, rather that had me questioning I had yet to feature rose petals and chest hair in my own facebook prof pics…or something like that. We’re talking intense, hairy (tattooed!) German chest and all. Hilarious. He got the crowds dancing–and before their tequila shots kicked in, no doubt–so another win for him. With singles like “I Know Your Panties So Wet,” and “Ooze,” I have a feeling he’s the real deal.
Smith Westerns. The Smith Westerns opened up second, with a mixed bag: far less glam than Hush Hush’s DJing, yet way more synthy, they were the perfect go-between to lead into Yeasayer’s set. Their hit single, Weekend, provoking obvious recognition from the crowd, in the form of head-bobbing and interested yet disinterested dance. The Chicagoans are headed out on their first UK festival appearance, announced last Friday, so stay tuned.
Yeasayer. Headlining the night, Yeasayer packed a twelve song set (13 including their one song encore. One song? really?) with some serious punch. The fact that it was at the Belly Up adding even more awesomeness. Instead of being sweated upon by thousands of Coachella fans, I enjoyed the band with drink in hand and open seat nearby (just in case my dance groove wore out). They played a handful of new songs, the most memorable being “Devil and the Deep,” a rather blatently 80′s rendition of, well, any 80′s song. If this is a preview of their next album, it seems that they’re leaving the trendy tribal feel and getting a little more early Madonna. But oh so cooler. Delivering some of their must-haves like O.N.E., Ambling Alp and 2080 (their encore. so fabulous.), I was happy to see their bassist was no longer sporting a mullet/ponytail thing (like his look circa 2008), but still insisted on wearing that damn man-tank. I guess I should take a win where I can get one…
Los Angeles-based musicphile and overall nerd. UCLA Music History graduate. When my headphones aren't on, I've usually got a camera in front of my face.
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