tUnE-yArDs Feel No 'Tiredness' at Sold-Out New York Gig

After selling out two nights at Le Poisson Rouge, a New York City venue known for its intimacy and sound, the art-rock group tUnE-yArDs were set to deliver after a ground-breaking summer. Having made their national TV debut only a few weeks earlier, the band's Tuesday night set brought the same raw energy and versatility that was on display for millions on 'Late Night With Jimmy Fallon.'

Front woman and tUnE-yArDs mastermind Merrill Garbus set the tone from the very beginning, starting the show with a series of impassioned wails that she sampled for future use. Soon, the other four members of the touring band took the stage and rounded out the rhythmic sounds featured on their 2011 breakout LP 'w h o k i l l' and 2009 debut 'BiRd-BrAiNs.'

After the audience was initiated into what a tUnE-yArDs show is all about, the confident group launched into their biggest hit 'Gangsta' only two songs into the set. In a show highlighted by bold choices, Garbus weaved seamlessly between her role as lead singer, multi-instrumentalist and sampler with outward pleasure.

"For those that have never been to a tUnE-yArDs show, are you now aware that you can be recorded at any moment? It's kind of the whole thing," Garbus said.

A few responded with sparse cheers, but most stood in respectful silence, not wanting to interrupt the process that Garbus takes on building her intricate vocal layers and loops.

Returning to that key word, versatility, Garbus and the band added a few great dynamics in the live setting that aren't heard on record. No one musician played the same instrument through the show, with the group displaying a road-ready act worthy of the praise and crowd response it received.

"Some nights I feel really tired and tonight I feel no tiredness at all because you're dancing and giving back so much," Garbus said, perfectly summing up a worthy effort that should only further catapult tUnE-yArDs toward the prominence they deserve.

tUnE-yArDs Perform 'Powa' (4AD Session)

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