Yeah Yeah Yeahs bring electric energy to Chicago lakeside crowd (Show Review)

Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island

Chicago, IL

June 1st, 2023

By Colette Custin

Twenty years after their arrival on New York’s growing garage and post-punk scene, art-rock trio Yeah Yeah Yeahs arrived at Northerly Island on Thursday and showcased why they’ve grown above and beyond their roots. 

Opening with climate-crisis anthem “Spitting Off the Edge of the World” from last year’s Cool it Down, vocalist/fashion icon Karen O. remains an amazing ringleader for the YYY’s colorful circus of light and sound. Deep cut “Shame and Fortune” was a welcome addition to the setlist, and moving from the stomping crunch of “Man” to recent single “Burning” which continued the band’s move into more danceable tracks was a clear sign of their versatile style. “We’re not going to party like it’s Friday night, we’re not going to party like it’s Saturday night,” Karen shouted before donning a studded leather jacket for a frantic rendition of “Zero.” “We’re gonna fucking party like it’s Thursday night because we’re in Chicago!” True to her word and the YYY’s flamboyant aesthetic, giant eyeballs flew into the crowd like beachballs to be tossed around. 

A three song encore saw two cuts from 2004’s seminal debut Fever to Tell , including fan-favorite “Y Control.” “I wish I could buy back the woman you stole,” Karen crooned, and as someone who has proven herself to be one of the most exciting front people in modern rock, the irony of the statement would be hard to miss–she doesn’t need to change a thing, nor does the band itself. 

Setlist:

Spitting Off the Edge of the World

Cheated Hearts

Man 

Shame and Fortune

Burning 

Zero

Wolf

Lovebomb

Maps

Turn Into

Gold Lion

Heads Will Roll

Encore:

Poor Song

Y Control 

Date With the Night 

Photo Gallery : Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island (06.01.2023)

Photo Gallery : Sasami – Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island (06.01.2023)