Bands like Yo La Tengo don’t often play Las Vegas. Although the town has become much more welcoming to underground and indie musical acts in recent years, plenty of veteran cult bands simply pass Vegas by on their tours, possibly because they don’t think there are enough serious music fans in town to make the trip worthwhile. So Yo La Tengo’s upcoming show at the Sayers Club inside SLS is an occasion worth celebrating, both for the band’s fans and for anyone who values musical diversity in Las Vegas. Longtime critics’ darlings, YLT have been around since 1984, and they garnered acclaim alongside influential indie bands like R.E.M. and Sonic Youth, even if they never went on to the same level of commercial success.
Led by husband-and-wife duo Ira Kaplan and Georgia Hubley, YLT have released 14 studio albums, including this year’s Stuff Like That There, a collection of covers, rerecordings of vintage YLT songs and new compositions. They’ve written and recorded scores for a number of films, and after more than 30 years continue to explore new musical avenues. For listeners who are just as interested in exploration, YLT’s Vegas stop is a rare treat.
SLS Las Vegas, 9 p.m. Nov. 11, starting at $20 plus fee, tax included, 21+. 702.761.7000
