The real action and excitement, surprise-factor-wise, at this year's Yo La Tengo Hanukkah shows has been during the encores. They brought out Graham Nash on Sunday night to sing Hollies songs that were written by Graham Gouldman, and on Tuesday night (Hanukkah Night 3) they convinced '60s group The Strangeloves to reunite on stage for the first time in 53 years. The group, at the time, claimed to be Australian but were actually “three good Jewish boys from New York City” -- aka the songwriting and production team of Bob Feldman, Jerry Goldstein and Richard Gottehrer whose first claim to fame was writing girl group hit “My Boyfriend’s Back.” (Gottehrer would, among other things, go on to produce Blondie, The Go-Go's and Richard Hell, and founded music and entertainment company The Orchard.) Backed by Ira, Georgia and James, The Strangeloves performed singles "Cara-Lin," "Night Time," a cover of The McCoy's hit "Hang on Sloopy" (which they produced and played on), and finished with Bo Diddley beat classic "I Want Candy." You can watch video for "Cara-Lin" and "I Want Candy" below.

As for the rest of the show: Brooklyn punks Nancy (dressed in superhero costumes) opened the show, and Jo Firestone was the night's comedian. Yo La Tengo opened their Night 3 set with a drony take on Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water," and foreshadowed what was to come in the encore by covering The McCoys' "Sorrow." They ended their main set with their classic "Sugarcube" and "Pass the Hatchet, I Think I’m Goodkind."

Setlist, via Jesse Jarnow's Frank & Earthy blog, plus a few instagrams from the show, are below.

James McNew made the night's mix CD, and proceeds from the show benefited Reproductive Health Access Project.

Check out recaps of YLT Hanukkah Night 1 and Night 2. Any guesses on Night 4's guests?

---

SETLIST: Yo La Tengo @ Bowery Ballroom 12/4/2018 (Hanukkah Night 3) (via Frank & Earthy)

comedian: Jo Firestone

opening act: Nancy

mix CD: James

benefiting: Reproductive Health Access Project

Bridge Over Troubled Water > (Paul Simon) (drone)

Big Day Coming (quiet)

Before We Run

House Fall Down

Ashes

Black Flowers

What Can I Say (NRBQ)

Sorrow (The McCoys)

Artificial Heart

Some Kinda Fatigue

Nothing To Hide

Sugarcube

Pass the Hatchet, I Think I’m Goodkind

*(encore)* with the Strangeloves & Matt Fiveash (bass)

Cara-Lin (The Strangeloves)

Night Time (The Strangeloves)

Hang On Sloopy (The McCoys)

I Want Candy (The Strangeloves)