In a touching tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs dedicated a sold-out performance at Chicago Theatre on Tuesday night to the iconic music legend.
Singer Karen O passionately shouted, “We love you Ozzy!” as her bandmates followed up with an instrumental cover of Black Sabbath’s classic track, “Paranoid.”
This heartfelt gesture provided a kind touch for fans mourning Osbourne’s shocking passing earlier that day, including guitarist Nick Zinner, who is part of a Black Sabbath tribute band known as BSCBR.
The Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ current tour, titled Hidden In Pieces, represents a remarkable reimagining of their sound and performance style.
In a deliberate shift from their trademark garage rock energy, the trio has opted for a more intimate and retooled presentation featuring orchestral arrangements, acoustic instruments, and even chairs for the audience.
During the show, O encouraged the seated crowd by stating, “One thing we’ve been telling our seated audiences is, if you feel the need to stand up and move your body tonight, that’s up to you and you are very welcome to do that.”
The request was met enthusiastically by the audience, who happily obliged during the next song, the deep cut “Miles Away.”
Dressed in a captivating Roaring ’20s flapper style complete with a long cloak, boa, and headpiece, O’s theatrical prowess was evident as she incorporated her attire into the performance.
The show was a celebration of the band’s 25-year anniversary and delved into their origins.
O introduced a cover of Bjork’s “Hyperballad,” recalling how she and Zinner used to perform it during their pre-Yeah Yeah Yeahs days as the duo Unitard.
She reminisced, “This is what we sounded like when Nick and I started playing music together … with acoustic guitar and slide guitar and love songs.”
Lasting just over an hour, the performance was a fusion of artistry and science.
Accompanied by a mini-symphony that included an upright bassist and four strings players, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs transformed their well-known tracks into a new sonic experience.
The acoustic elements in “Gold Lion” softened its signature thumping beats, while the drums in “Warrior” felt more pronounced, adding a tribal quality to the song.
The haunting piano intro on “Runaway” gave the piece a cinematic flair, and the string crescendo in “Skeletons” was so stirring that even the legendary composer Ennio Morricone might have wished he authored it.
Among all the pieces performed, it was “Maps” that truly captivated the audience, as the stripped-back instrumentation allowed O’s heartfelt lyrics to shine brighter.
The crowd responded with the biggest enthusiasm of the night, singing along during the chorus and creating an unforgettable choir effect in the theater.
This moment underlined the power of live music, making one wish there was a ban on phones to focus solely on the shared experience.
Over the years, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs have evolved from their New York indie rock roots, and this softer approach showcased their willingness to innovate artistically.
As O noted, “This is a very vulnerable set of ours,” recognizing the importance of authenticity in music: “Nothing is more punk rock than vulnerability … especially in times like these.”
Despite the reflective nature of the evening, there were also lighter moments.
During “Cheated Hearts,” O leapt around energetically as Zinner and Wasif nearly tossed their instruments in excitement.
In the encore, a spirited rendition of “Zero” featured a disco ball projecting patterns throughout the theater while eyeball-printed beach balls were playfully thrown into the audience, reminiscent of the band’s more traditional rock show vibes.
As the performance drew to a close, O reminded the crowd, “Remember when times are difficult, music makes everything better.”
Zinner concluded the night by snapping photos of the audience, preserving the memory of a night that embodied both joy and reflection amid sorrow.
The Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ set list included:
Blacktop
Miles Away
Gold Lion
Hyperballad (Bjork cover)
Cheated Hearts
Isis/Warrior
Runaway
Skeletons
Spitting Off the Edge of the World
Maps
Turn Into
Y Control
Encore:
Zero
Paranoid (Black Sabbath instrumental cover)
This performance stands as a testament to the band’s legacy and their ability to reinvent themselves while continuing to connect deeply with their audience.
image source from：chicago
