Aren't They Cute?

Oh Webster Hall, why do I keep coming back to you when I know you’re bad for me? This question and others plagued me as I attended the Tegan and Sara show there last night. Another was “Why don’t I have earplugs?” I almost purchased some from the kindly bathroom attendant, embarrassingly neon orange though they were, but then I was informed that they were $2. I’d rather go deaf than be robbed blind. Anyway, openers Northern State delivered an energetic set full of sassy rhymes and mad beats. Currently promoting their new album Can I Keep This Pen? these bouncy ladies could in some ways be described as the female Beastie Boys, an appropriate comparison since Adrock himself produced one of their singles. They’ve also had them a few tunes on that one TV show Grey’s Anatomy, a fact they were sure to mention several times. The group also relayed the tale of how they came to be touring partners with T&S, a coveted spot indeed given the twin’s recent success through their latest album The Con and their string of MTV commercials and appearances. Turns out they all met one fateful evening at the very venue we were standing in, forming a friendship and mutual respect for each other’s artistic endeavors. Although the audience may not have been entirely awake for their set, Northern State certainly proved their talent through a display of rampant enthusiasm for their rhymes and the messages behind them. Messages political, messages social, and messages declaring “We kick ass!”

Later when the petite Canadian sisters emerged onto the stage they certainly looked cheery and adorable, a statement to which the overwhelmingly female crowd would agree. Now, while I’m aware of both Tegan and Sara’s sexual orientations, I still thought it odd that one gender would dominate the crowd of any musical performance in such a strikingly prevalent fashion. But ‘twas no matter. They both sounded fabulous vocally — furthermore to the obvious being on key, there was passion and personality behind the works being sung, making me glad to be in attendance and accentuating the very reason we attend live rock concerts. That said, I was a bit displeased that the vocals were turned up so awfully loud. While the blaring words were lovely to hear, they dominated everything else almost to the point of head explosion, so that I left half in a state of aural joy, half cursing those elitist earplugs I couldn’t afford.

Songwise, Tegan and Sara played mostly numbers off The Con with its many excellent pop gems, and a few favorites off 2004’s So Jealous. Proving the level of fan dedication these ladies have earned during their career, the crowd bounced around enthusiastically to not only more recent hits (though many had already memorized all The Con’s lyrics), but also to the few older tunes played. Apparently this energy was contagious, because both Tegan and Sara were in high spirits and proved so by showering the audience with anecdotes aplenty. They recounted tales of an awkward landlord, an hilarious ex-tour manager, apartment hunting in Montreal, and being recognized in the street due to their MTV gig. As they rambled on in their adorable way, it felt almost as if rather than standing squished in a musty ‘ol concert hall we were sitting around a bar table sharing pitchers. Their mention of various Canadian stereotypes was the icing on the cake. Later, as the evening wore on and the encore was in full swing, the audience was privy to one last surprise, a cover of the recent Rihanna hit “Umbrella,” which was pretty hilarious. Also, Tegan and Sara have funny haircuts.

Set List

Dark Come Soon
Like O, Like H
Floorplan
Nineteen
Hop A Plane
Speak Slow
So Jealous
Monday Monday Monday
Where Does The Good Go
Soil, Soil
I’ve Got You
Relief Next To Me
Are You Te Years Ago
Back In Your Head
The Con
Call It Off

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You Wouldn’t Like Me
Take Me Anywhere
Umbrella
Walking With A Ghost
Living Room