Moore interacts with ageing fans
Thurston Moore gives hope to all ageing hipsters who fear losing their precious cool. The Sonic Youth patriarch, who turns 50 this year, headlined an Ecstatic Peace (his label) showcase last night and quite easily blew away every young(er) band that preceded him. Moore played deceptively sedate at first, strumming his acoustic and noodling through tracks from Trees Outside (his latest). But the show gained speed, momentum and volume as it went on and by the end Moore traded his acoustic for a custom Fender noisemaster.
Moore mused aloud about getting old and then glowingly recalled hanging out with Lou Reed the night earlier. He then tore into an obscure Reed cover that opened with the lyric “I’m not a young man anymore,” then gave it the Moore slash, burn and screech treatment. The crowd went nets and practically begged him with applause for an encore. I guess growing old doesn’t always have to be graceful.
One of the most talked about artists down here is red-hot Brooklyn transplant Santogold (aka Santi White, pictured). The producer turned singer is being called the next MIA and once you’ve seen her collar-busting mix of reggae, world, dub and Philly hip hop the comparison feels pretty accurate.
White’s been hitting a lot of parties and small stages around the festival but we finally caught up with her opening for the big N.E.R.D. reunion at Stubbs. Flanked by two backup singers/dancers, she made the most of her condensed time slot, pumping quick-stepping jams arranged with skillful melodies. This festival feels like her coming out party. Keep her on your radar.
Above: Santogold, quick-stepping
