Hopscotch 2012 Day 2: Naked Gods and Yo La Tengo

Photo by Kevin Norris

It was a good night for rock and roll in Raleigh and the comfortably full Tir Na Nog got some of the best.

Boone's Naked Gods owned the small stage in the Irish pub. Singer Seth Sullivan bashed his tambourine with fury in between verses. Guitarist Derek Wycoff bent his guitar every which away to get it to scream and howl.

While Naked Gods’ robust rock is angular at times, it has a very organic sound. The mountains that surround the band’s hometown seem very much a part of their music.

The best moments came during extended jams in which both of Naked Gods guitar players pushed each other back and forth with their own thick riffs. It provided great tension that built to a satisfying resolution.

At Memorial Hall, Yo La Tengo tore up the huge stage. The trio proved they were the best indie rock royalty playing day two of Hopscotch by well out-performing the main stage acts.

Ira Kaplan twisted and warped his guitar as if it was made of putty filling the auditorium with liquefied noise. Memorial Auditorium is a huge room, but Yo La Tengo made it work for them and didn’t get swallowed up by the expanse.

The room actually worked to their advantage with they played their quieter tunes. Kaplan’s delicate piano playing and drummer Georgia Hubley’s vocals rang through the venue.

During the set, Kaplan admitted that he wasn’t a fan of festivals, but that Hopscotch was different. It had been highly recommended and it was “awesome.”

I left early to make it to The Mountain Goats in neighboring Fletcher Opera Theater, but Chris Corsano (Six Organs of Admittance) and guitarist Glenn Jones treated those who stayed by joining Yo La Tengo on stage. It was another one of those moments that could only happen at Hopscotch.

Photo by Kevin Norris

Photo by Kevin Norris

Photo by Kevin Norris

Photo by Kevin Norris

Photo by Kevin Norris

Photo by Kevin Norris

Photo by Michael Graham

Photo by Michael Graham

Photo by Michael Graham