Yo La Tengo protests Tennessee’s anti-drag law by performing in drag
Yo La Tengo released their 17th studio album This Stupid World earlier this year in February.
Credit: Mariano Regidor / Redferns via Getty
Yo La Tengo performed in drag at their recent Tennessee tour date in protest of the state’s incoming anti-drag law.
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The trio’s 13 March tour date at Basement East saw Ira Kaplan and James McNew performing in drag during the second half of their set, with Kaplan donning a wig with makeup and a red dress, and McNew sporting a sun hat and shawl combo.
According to The Tennessean, the band made no mention of the new law, which prohibits “adult-oriented performances that are harmful to minors” from public property, during their performance. The law notably names “male and female impersonators” as examples of such entertainment and is set to go into effect on 1 April.
Yo La Tengo released their 17th studio album This Stupid World, an entirely self-produced and self-engineered affair, earlier this year in February. The album follows 2020’s We Have Amnesia Sometimes and is the latest in the band’s consistent output that sees them releasing an album every two to three years.