Yo La Tengo have announced a socially-distanced concert for next month at the Mass MoCA. The sold-out shows take place on August 7 and 8, and hit capacity at 100 people allowed in the venue. Yo La Tengo will play in an elevated gallery two stories above the crowd in Courtyard D of the museum.
The Mass MoCA will be enforcing strict guidelines for social distancing, as audience members will be required to bring their own chairs, and all ticketing will be done electronically in order to limit physical contact. Masks will also be required for all audience members who attend.
According to the Mass MoCA website, aisles will also be one-way in order to help with social distancing, while concert sections will allow a max of four people in each socially distanced sections. All concert goers will also be required to wear masks unless eating or drinking, and all food must be consumed in patrons’ assigned concert space. Lines will also be marked with spaces in order to maintain social distancing while waiting for e-tickets to be scanned.
Yo La Tengo recently released a new single with Matmos called “Lo! Lavender River Karez,” the track coming from Matmos’ upcoming collaborative album set for a released on August 31. Beginning with the sound of each instrument warming up and chatter in the background, the track takes on a slightly harmonic sound while experimental flutes and melodies drift in the distance. Straining whines and moving strings whistle over the background melody, creating a clustered convergence of croaks and experimenting sounds which override the flutes below them. Much of the song is muted, each instrument trying its best to be heard while playing softly as occasional echos of conversation and chatter appear. Parts of the track sound as if they were recorded in an art museum or concert hall, bits and pieces of voices bouncing around tall ceilings and empty spaces. The track ends with synthetic feedback and drumming made to mimic either steps or a heartbeat. The entire song thrives within the experimental throughout its nearly seven minute duration, both Yo La Tengo and Matmos plucking unique sounds and bringing them together.
Yo La Tengo also released a new compilation two weeks ago called We Have Amnesia Sometimes, with vinyl expected to appear on October 15. Prior to their latest EP, Yo La Tengo’s last full release had been 2018’s There’s A Riot Going On.
Photo Credit: Nathan Edge
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