Having unfortunately missed out on the wonderful Kyu (you can check out our past coverage here), I was surprised to hear Abba blasting out of the speakers as I walked into the Metro Theatre on a wet Wednesday evening. Thankfully, the lights soon dimmed and "Goodbye Horses" proved an apt replacement as we waited for the band enter the stage. The music lowered, and in its place, ambient music grew louder, the lights pulsated and finally, Yeasayer walked on stage to perform for a very enthiastic Sydney crowd.

The Brooklyn based 5 piece are quite well known for their brand of wacky, experimental pop. On record, it's an intricate, polished mecca of beauty. Much like Animal Collective, you're left wondering ... so just how are they going to translate these songs? Some bands will simply use pre-recorded backing tracks and play over them to do so. Other bands virtually reinvent the song for the live environment, spending months working out who'll play what, and how they'll accomplish the transition. Yeasayer are indeed one of these bands, making it feel like you're hearing these songs again... for the first time.

As I think I commented back in 2008 when I first saw the band at Oxford Art Factory (here), I can definitely understand this not working for everyone. But I love it. I love that they grace the stage with their immense talents and don't hesitate in trying out new tricks - variations of the original product. Might it alienate some? Sure! But then I would start to wonder why that person was a fan of such an experimental band in the first place.

Launching with "Wait For The Summer" off their first LP, All Hour Cymbals, the 14 song setlist traversed their two albums fairly evenly - and they even threw in the brilliant "Tightrope" of the Dark Was The Night double album. One of their best tracks, it was an easy highlight for me.

"2080" was a song which attracted a more African vibe than I remember from 2008. I'd be interested to compare videos of the two - I no doubt they've changed things up in the two years since their last visit. "Strange Relations" was a winner off the new album, encompassing a shitload of cowbell. "The Children", with beautifully / bizarely distorted vocals, and epic synth, was incorporated impressively into the set and proved that anything was possible live. Recent singles "Ambling Alp" finished off the main set, and unsurprising was a huge hit with the crowd, following on from a 1- 2 punch with "O.N.E." and "Madder Red" - the latter of which I was quite surprised to see the crowd so into.

When the band returned to the stage for an encore, having already played their hits, it was anyone's guess what they were going to play. First up was "Forgiveness", another great live translation. Then, having started their set with "Wait For The Summer", it felt only natural they would end their set with "Wait For The Wintertime". I hesitate to say this was the most impressive song of the night, and it left both myself and the rest of the sold out crowd eagerly desiring more.

Yeasayer are not for everyone, and that's surely their charm. But as one of my favourite bands traversing the globe at the moment, they never let me down, and continue to prove their immeasurable talents - both on stage and on their records. With Odd Blood barely done and dusted, I already can't wait for new material. See you at Splendour!

Full Setlist:
Wait For The Summer
Rome
2080
Tightrope
Grizelda
Sunrise
Strange Relations
The Children 
Mondegreen
ONE
Madder Red
Ambling Alp
--
Forgiveness 
Wait For The Wintertime