YYNOT – 89 North, Patchogue NY 4.5.24

My Uncle Scott first introduced me to the music of Rush in the late 70’s so it shouldnt be surprising that he introduced me to the music of YYNOT, the premiere Rush tribute band!  Since then, Ive seen them three times, the first being at Paradise Studios on Long Island. I then saw them when they made their NYC debut with their new singer, Patty Pershayla.  Both shows were unique in their own way in that the performance at Paradise Studios was an acoustic show and the drummer played bongos!  The performance at CityWineryNYC was more mainstream and they were able to showcase Patty’s vocals as well as Mike Hetzel’s drum skills!  However, their performance at 89 North was beyond measure!  With yet another new vocalist, Adi Argelazi at the mic, this performance was a no-holds barred showcase of classic Rush, peppered with a couple YYNOT originals sprinkled in.

If I had one complaint, it would be the overzealousness of the laser/lightshow person! And for the record, when done right, it can really enhance the stage presence and compliment the act on stage.  However, when egos get in the way, it can really prove to be more annoying and obnoxious.  As for my complaint, when the singer tells the lighting guy that “there’s enough smoke on stage” and requests that they “turn the smoke off”, the person operating the equipment should honor such a request from the artist!  

As a former Production Manager for the Seneca Niagara Resorts and Casinos, I worked with several touring Lighting Designers who have expressed that, although they do enjoy focusing their lights using smoke or haze, they were under strict orders to not use any smoke or haze during the performance as the chemicals will affect their vocal chords!

But the ironic thing to mention is that, 90% of all the lighting, rigging and staging experience I gained working at the casino, was by none other than one of the Lighting Designers for Rush!  Last night, the laser/light guy may have thought he was lighting Rush, but he is no Howard Ungerleider!

Here are a few highlights from YYNOT’s performance at 89 North in Patchogue, NY

SETLIST:

Anthem

Freewill

The Body Electric

Burning Bridge

Tom Sawyer

Kid

Etheria

Something For Nothing

Subdivisions

The Spirit of Radio

Chemical Burn

Trees

(Drum Solo)

YYZ

Red Barchetta

Natural Science

Bully

La Villa Strangiato

Closer to the Heart

Bytor & The Snow Dog/In The Mood/2112 Grand Finale

What Your Doing