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Sonic Youth

Average rating:

4.5

152 of 157(97%)customers would recommend this to a friend.

Sonic Youth Fan Reviews - Ticketmaster

5 / 5

Sonic Youth still has it!

Massey Hall @

- Toronto @

,ON @

- Tue, Jun 30, 2009 @

Favorite moment: When they played Death Valley '69 as the last song in the entire show. @

Opening act(s): The Entrance Band @

Posted 07/17/2009

by thedude716

Featured Review

Top 250 Contributor

Sonic Youth played at Massey Hall in Toronto, and put up a show for a crowd to remember. Playing just about every song from The Eternal only after opening to She is Not Alone from their debut. With an amazing light show and two encore's with outstanding playing, this show will be remembered.

Massey Hall @

- Toronto @

,ON @

- Tue, Jun 30, 2009 @

Favorite moment: When they played Death Valley '69 as the last song in the entire show. @

Opening act(s): The Entrance Band @

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Review 2 for Sonic Youth

5 / 5

Sonic youth = eternal.

Fox Theater - Oakland @

- Oakland @

,CA @

- Sun, Aug 2, 2009 @

Posted 08/05/2009

by shallowgrave

Location: san francisco

I have loved Sonic Youth for a long time, but never bothered to see if there were still around until now. Fox Theater was a great venue, the sound was great and the band rocked me arsehole. They even came back twice to play more songs, everyone refused to leave, the lights, the sounds were all combined to make this an amazing night.

I haven't felt this excited about a show since MBV, but of course nothing will compare to that. I definitely recommend checking them out live.

Fox Theater - Oakland @

- Oakland @

,CA @

- Sun, Aug 2, 2009 @

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Review 3 for Sonic Youth

3 / 5

HHMMMM

Fox Theater - Oakland @

- Oakland @

,CA @

- Sun, Aug 2, 2009 @

Favorite moment: way planned on core @

Setlist: great @

Opening act(s): missed em @

Posted 08/04/2009

by Ahauris

Fantastic interior.... This place is art deco ed out to the max and I enjoyed the environment. It was still an uptight "big" show complete with all the inconveniences of security and impersonal crowds and expensive drinks... Hardly sounds like sonic youth to me but what can you do, they're old and still rock

Fox Theater - Oakland @

- Oakland @

,CA @

- Sun, Aug 2, 2009 @

Favorite moment: way planned on core @

Setlist: great @

Opening act(s): missed em @

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Review 4 for Sonic Youth

4 / 5

Very polished, well-rehearsed

Fox Theater - Oakland @

- Oakland @

,CA @

- Sun, Aug 2, 2009 @

Favorite moment: When the lead singer said, "glad to see some people kissing in this crowd." @

Posted 08/04/2009

by Anonymous

Location: Fontana, CA

Saw them about two years ago in Vegas, and the show back then was much more Sonic Youth old school - walls of ambiant noise, long chords, and a little less "pop" feel to it. The Oakland show this past weekend was a much tighter set, seemed to be more crowd-pleasing, but missing some of their greatest hits.

Fox Theater - Oakland @

- Oakland @

,CA @

- Sun, Aug 2, 2009 @

Favorite moment: When the lead singer said, "glad to see some people kissing in this crowd." @

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Review 5 for Sonic Youth

4 / 5

sonic youth

Fox Theater - Oakland @

- Oakland @

,CA @

- Sun, Aug 2, 2009 @

Favorite moment: antennae @

Setlist: great @

Opening act(s): ??? @

Posted 08/04/2009

by mp94610

Location: Oakland

took my 12 y/o daughter...loved the show. Was a bit disappointed didnt play Kool Thing. Fox is a fantastic venue.

Fox Theater - Oakland @

- Oakland @

,CA @

- Sun, Aug 2, 2009 @

Favorite moment: antennae @

Setlist: great @

Opening act(s): ??? @

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Review 6 for Sonic Youth

5 / 5

Intense!

Ogden Theatre @

- Denver @

,CO @

- Fri, Jul 31, 2009 @

Favorite moment: When they came out for a second encore. @

Setlist: Hey Joni, Sacred Trixster, 'Cross the Breeze and many more @

Posted 08/04/2009

by Anonymous

Location: Denver

The show was amazing. I was amazed at the intensity this band put out there. Even thought they have been around for more than 25 years they play like it's their first big gig. Plus they did two encores which I don't think I have ever seen before.

Ogden Theatre @

- Denver @

,CO @

- Fri, Jul 31, 2009 @

Favorite moment: When they came out for a second encore. @

Setlist: Hey Joni, Sacred Trixster, 'Cross the Breeze and many more @

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Review 7 for Sonic Youth

5 / 5

great show

Fox Theater - Oakland @

- Oakland @

,CA @

- Sun, Aug 2, 2009 @

Posted 08/04/2009

by soak

Location: Cupertino

they were really into what they were doing. great show!

Fox Theater - Oakland @

- Oakland @

,CA @

- Sun, Aug 2, 2009 @

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Review 8 for Sonic Youth

5 / 5

Sonic Youth Still Rock

Fox Theater - Oakland @

- Oakland @

,CA @

- Sun, Aug 2, 2009 @

Favorite moment: When they played Shadow of a Doubt @

Opening act(s): Awesome Color: They were Great! @

Posted 08/03/2009

by mateoandisabel

Location: Oakland

Absolutely amazing! It has been 13 years since I have seen them and they were even better than I remember.

Fox Theater - Oakland @

- Oakland @

,CA @

- Sun, Aug 2, 2009 @

Favorite moment: When they played Shadow of a Doubt @

Opening act(s): Awesome Color: They were Great! @

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Review 9 for Sonic Youth

4 / 5

Sonic Youth great, theature not so great

Fox Theater - Oakland @

- Oakland @

,CA @

- Sun, Aug 2, 2009 @

Favorite moment: The 2nd encore @

Opening act(s): Nothing to say. They were the opening act. Only thing more boring was the long wait for SY @

Posted 08/03/2009

by dennismc

Location: sacamento

Sonic Youth was as always great but the Fox Theater left a lot to be desired. Visually striking, the resurected theater looks great but the sound quality left a lot to be desired. Muddy vocals and murky blurred sound made it hard to really get into the music but that was probably for the best as the only thing worse were the seats. Absolutely the worst seats with the most limited legroom I have ever experienced at a concert. I'm 5' 11" and 164 lbs and could not sit with my knees in front of me. Anyway SY but on a great show ending with 2 encores that ripped the place apart. Mixing old along with new from the most recent album the only thing missing was another hour or two so you could have more from their vast catalog. All in all the band was great and the theater sucked.

Fox Theater - Oakland @

- Oakland @

,CA @

- Sun, Aug 2, 2009 @

Favorite moment: The 2nd encore @

Opening act(s): Nothing to say. They were the opening act. Only thing more boring was the long wait for SY @

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Review 10 for Sonic Youth

4 / 5

Sonic Youth @ The Fox Theater 8-2-09

Fox Theater - Oakland @

- Oakland @

,CA @

- Sun, Aug 2, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Tom Violence and Stereo Sanctity @

Setlist: Tom Violence, No Way, Sacred Trickster, Calming the Snake, Hey Joni, Anti Orgasm, Walkin Blue, Poison Arrow, Malibu Gas Station, Antenna, Leaky Lifeboat, Massage History, Stereo Sanctity, What We Know, Shadow of a Doubt, The Sprawl, 'Cross the Breeze @

Opening act(s): Awesome Color @

Posted 08/03/2009

by DustyVinegar

Location: Oakland

The entire set consisted of pre-DGC material (nothing off their 90's catalog) and tracks from new record, The Eternal. I can't say that this show would be powerful enough to convert the uninitiated, but for longtime Sonic Youth fans or bright eyed youngsters who have recently discovered and fallen in love with Daydream Nation and Sister, it was a fine evening. I don't quite know quite how I felt about Thurston sitting on a bar stool and strumming an acoustic guitar for "Massage the History," but that song was one of the highlight performances of tracks off the new record, even if i found myself fishing for my lighter in jest. I overheard a couple cropped-haired, polo-shirted, besandled, beer-swillers lamenting that they didn't play Sugar Kane or Bull in the Heather - tough titty. When they played Shadow of a Doubt, I welled up a little.

Fox Theater - Oakland @

- Oakland @

,CA @

- Sun, Aug 2, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Tom Violence and Stereo Sanctity @

Opening act(s): Awesome Color @

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Review 11 for Sonic Youth

4 / 5

Sonic Youth rocked the Fox!

Fox Theater - Oakland @

- Oakland @

,CA @

- Sun, Aug 2, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Anti-Orgazm! @

Opening act(s): forget...we came in late too late for the opening. @

Posted 08/03/2009

by blueingenue

Top 250 Contributor

Ahhh, they wielded their guitars with might and beauty, like a finely tuned orchestra shooting outta orbit. Me and my companion swooned & shivered with delight like the rest of that sold out crowd. 28 years later they are still awesome to behold.

I just wished they played "Sunday". It would of been a perfect ending to a perfect place!

Fox Theater - Oakland @

- Oakland @

,CA @

- Sun, Aug 2, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Anti-Orgazm! @

Opening act(s): forget...we came in late too late for the opening. @

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Review 12 for Sonic Youth

4 / 5

Sonic Youth was great at the Fox Theater, Oakland,

Fox Theater - Oakland @

- Oakland @

,CA @

- Sun, Aug 2, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Tracks from the new CD "the Eternal," especially Antenna and Sacred Trickster. @

Opening act(s): No one ever said who they were. Some band from Detroit with great guitars. @

Posted 08/03/2009

by Borg

I saw their concert Sunday night (Aug 2) and I was thrilled that they essentially performed all of their latest album, which in my opinion is one of their best to date. The last time I was saw them was in 1991 at the Paladium in Hollywood. They were great then, but I think they have really improved over time. Not too many bands with their longevity can go on tour and focus primarily on their new stuff.

Fox Theater - Oakland @

- Oakland @

,CA @

- Sun, Aug 2, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Tracks from the new CD "the Eternal," especially Antenna and Sacred Trickster. @

Opening act(s): No one ever said who they were. Some band from Detroit with great guitars. @

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Review 13 for Sonic Youth

3 / 5

Sonic Youth good, venue OK, sound mix bad.

Fox Theater - Oakland @

- Oakland @

,CA @

- Sun, Aug 2, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Tom Violence. @

Setlist: Tom Violence No Way Sacred Trickster Calming the Snake Hey Joni Anti-Orgasm Walkin Blue Poison Arrow Malibu Gas Station Antenna Leaky Lifeboat Massage History Stereo Sanctity Encore: What We Know Shadow of a Doubt Encore 2: The Sprawl 'Cross the Breeze @

Opening act(s): Skipped that, don't know. @

Posted 08/03/2009

by ILDUCE

Location: San Francisco, CA

I'm a long-time fan of SY, have seen them many times, shows have always been good.
Last night's show at the Fox Theater Oakland was a little disappointing, for several reasons.
Sound mix was bad, at least from where I was on the floor level. Too loud, vocals were buried, nuances were lost, just too noisy (and yes, I know SY is *supposed to be noisy*).

The floor level (standing) was bad -- too crowded, couldn't see anything. I'm 5'-10", and the 6 foot-plus crowd (you never really notice them until they're blocking your view) in front of me and my date made it difficult to see anything more than glimpses of SY.
There are some barstools on the upper floor levels, but if you sit in them, you aren't seeing anything at all....

My advice -- get the seats in the balcony -- maybe you can see (and hear) better up there,
and also, you won't be harrassed by the ushers (many of whom I found to be rude) who were constantly trying to herd the crowd as if they were cattle.

Ultimately, it's a nice venue, having just been remodeled, and most of the staff was very courteous. By the way, there are several bars, with quick service, and the drink prices were very reasonable -- much less than at many other local concert venues.

The band was good, but was at least part of the problem. Why, after 20+ years, did they decide to hire some unknown to take over on bass guitar? (Actually, he *and* Kim played bass on at least one song). Like the old joke goes, "What's better than 2 guitar players"? Answer: ONE guitar player. Point is, now Kim is on guitar (mostly), which means there are now THREE guitar players. Again, what's better than 3 guitar players?
It's just too much. Overkill. Too much sound. Of course, I think the mix was bad, so maybe that was most of the problem. Anyway, I think they should just have Kim sing; her vocals are *way* better when she's not playing an insrtrument, and she can concentrate on singing. IMO.

Lastly, I'm not exactly wild about the new album. Sonik Nurse and Rather Ripped (the 2 previous albums) are *much* better. They did play a variety of songs from their catalog, and that was good (although sound mix was bad) but they did play songs from the new album, and they were pretty dull. To be fair, most of the crowd seemed to love it all.

Here's hoping the next time I see SY the show will be better.
I saw Judas Priest last Friday night, and it was stupendous. Go figure.

Fox Theater - Oakland @

- Oakland @

,CA @

- Sun, Aug 2, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Tom Violence. @

Opening act(s): Skipped that, don't know. @

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Review 14 for Sonic Youth

5 / 5

Sonic Youth

Fox Theater - Oakland @

- Oakland @

,CA @

- Sun, Aug 2, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Sonic Youth playing Malibu gas station. @

Posted 08/03/2009

by Suammi

Both the show and experience through ticket master were perfect. The band was on point and sounds incredible live. Ticket master was quick and communicative regarding my delivery.

Fox Theater - Oakland @

- Oakland @

,CA @

- Sun, Aug 2, 2009 @

Favorite moment: Sonic Youth playing Malibu gas station. @

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Review 15 for Sonic Youth

5 / 5

Sonic Youth - still rockin!

Ogden Theatre @

- Denver @

,CO @

- Fri, Jul 31, 2009 @

Opening act(s): Awsome Color @

Posted 08/03/2009

by Watermanbk

Location: Denver

Great show - they definitely still have it and keep you going all night. After all these years SY still knows how to rock!

Ogden Theatre @

- Denver @

,CO @

- Fri, Jul 31, 2009 @

Opening act(s): Awsome Color @

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Review 16 for Sonic Youth

3 / 5

sonic youth

Fox Theater - Oakland @

- Oakland @

,CA @

- Sun, Aug 2, 2009 @

Posted 08/03/2009

by pamelafromsanfrancisco

Is there any way you can make floor admission more enjoyable for short people (meaning shorter than 6 feet tall).
I am 5'3 and all of my life I feel that I have had a disadvantage at concerts and venues like this because I am usually get surrounded by tall people. This results in me watching a performance of shoulders instead of, in this instance, the members of sonic youth on stage.
I know it would be better if I were to purchase seat tickets but I can't always afford them.

Fox Theater - Oakland @

- Oakland @

,CA @

- Sun, Aug 2, 2009 @

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Review 17 for Sonic Youth

4 / 5

Pretty Good

Fox Theater - Oakland @

- Oakland @

,CA @

- Sun, Aug 2, 2009 @

Favorite moment: The finale, "'Cross the Breeze" was epic and rocked so damn hard. @

Opening act(s): Awesome Color. @

Posted 08/03/2009

by gahgah

Location: Oakland

Sonic Youth put on, as usual, an excellent show, but one that left me wanting. Maybe it was that songs from "The Eternal" (which is a fine album) didn't translate well on stage. Kim also sounded like she was having an off night, maybe sick or something. But SY turned it on for both encores and left no doubt they're one of the best rock bands ever, especially with a punishing 'Cross the Breeze as the closer.

Fox Theater - Oakland @

- Oakland @

,CA @

- Sun, Aug 2, 2009 @

Favorite moment: The finale, "'Cross the Breeze" was epic and rocked so damn hard. @

Opening act(s): Awesome Color. @

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Review 18 for Sonic Youth

4 / 5

fox theatre should be for movies and movies only

Fox Theater - Oakland @

- Oakland @

,CA @

- Sun, Aug 2, 2009 @

Favorite moment: when they played cross the breeze, but that had nothing to do with the Fox. @

Setlist: missed five songs because they had to start so early. been seeing them for 15 years and have never been late because 9 is too early to start!!! @

Opening act(s): ?? @

Posted 08/03/2009

by bethwestern

Location: fairfax, ca

terrible sound. the worst. felt disconnected from sonics - the stage is far back, pushed into a nook that swallows all the sound. this is NOT the case at their usual venues: warfield or fillmore. what a shame. so bummed.

Fox Theater - Oakland @

- Oakland @

,CA @

- Sun, Aug 2, 2009 @

Favorite moment: when they played cross the breeze, but that had nothing to do with the Fox. @

Setlist: missed five songs because they had to start so early. been seeing them for 15 years and have never been late because 9 is too early to start!!! @

Opening act(s): ?? @

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Review 19 for Sonic Youth

5 / 5

Sonic Youth

Fox Theater - Oakland @

- Oakland @

,CA @

- Sun, Aug 2, 2009 @

Posted 08/03/2009

by WillSF

Location: San Francisco

They keep getting better and better.... this concert was unbelievable!

Fox Theater - Oakland @

- Oakland @

,CA @

- Sun, Aug 2, 2009 @

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Review 20 for Sonic Youth

4 / 5

great show

Fox Theater - Oakland @

- Oakland @

,CA @

- Sun, Aug 2, 2009 @

Favorite moment: the show is a constant indulgence for the senses. @

Posted 08/03/2009

by bumsi

Location: san francisco, ca

Top 1000 Contributor

these rockers still have it. their pioneered distortion and electronic sound comes out well received by fans. there is a constant innovation and evolution that the band has been involved with for quite some time. the music remains true to its roots. there is no need to re-invent a sound you perpetually are refining, mastering, and communicating.

Fox Theater - Oakland @

- Oakland @

,CA @

- Sun, Aug 2, 2009 @

Favorite moment: the show is a constant indulgence for the senses. @

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