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Clap Your Hands Say Yeah at New York's Ace Hotel for CMJ -- Exclusive Photos

Posted on Oct 20th 2011 1:00PM by Theo Spielberg

Kelly Mahan, AOL

On Wednesday afternoon, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah filled the lobby of New York's Ace Hotel with hipsters and music industry types, which is to say it was only marginally different than it would have been on any other day. Before starting, the band ran through an extensive sound check in front of an already-packed crowd, teasing the first chorus and verse of tunes from their newest album, 'Hysterical.' Early comers were treated to several half-renditions of 'Same Mistake,' 'Hysterical' and 'Maniac.'

Those three or four songs would comprise the better part of the band's short set, so the sound check that abutted the set proper gave away quite a bit more than anybody in the audience bargained for. When the band returned to play their KEXP broadcasted set (at 4:30PM sharp -- hurray for prompt musicians!) they delivered an airtight set, one which leaned heavily on their last album.

Despite crisp playing, anthemic arrangements and high-energy songs, the band seemed somewhat lacking in verve. Factoring in the dreary weather and the late afternoon timing, it's no surprise that the audience reaction was a bit stilted as well. We still got some great photos out of the event, which you can check out below. Here's to a sunnier performance next time.