Yo La Tengo and Sleater-Kinney Honor Yoko Ono with Star-Studded Tribute Concert

Celebrate Yoko Ono’s groundbreaking music legacy with indie legends in a rare live tribute event.

A Night to Remember: Yoko Ono’s Music Takes Center Stage

Picture this: a warm Southern California evening, the buzz of eager fans gathering on the Broad’s East West Bank Plaza. The air is thick with anticipation for Yoko Only, a unique tribute concert dedicated exclusively to the music of Yoko Ono and the Plastic Ono Band. If you grew up skimming through Yoko’s often misunderstood yet wildly innovative catalog, this event promises to be a heartfelt celebration of her pioneering spirit.

The Broad museum’s first solo exhibition of Yoko Ono’s work in Southern California, titled Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind, runs from May 23 through October 11, 2024. The tribute concert, set for August 8, is curated by Yuka Honda, an artist who’s had the rare privilege of collaborating closely with Ono both onstage and in the studio. Honda’s devotion and insight bring a deeply personal touch to this artistic homage.

Yoko Ono in London, 2013 (photo: Ben A. Pruchnie / Getty Images)

Indie Icons Join Forces to Celebrate a Legend

What’s astounding about Yoko Only is the lineup of indie all-stars gathering to interpret Ono’s genre-defying music. Imagine Yo La Tengo’s eclectic sound blending with the raw power of Sleater-Kinney, the experimental guitar wizardry of Nels Cline, and the electronic magic of Sylvan Esso and Tune-Yards. Add Rufus Wainwright’s unique vocal stylings and Satomi Matsuzaki’s indie charisma, and you have a kaleidoscope of artists ready to breathe new life into songs that have shaped experimental music for decades.

This isn’t just a concert; it’s a living, breathing reinterpretation of Ono’s themes — liberation, vulnerability, resistance, and radical imagination — brought to the stage by musicians who genuinely connect with her work. It’s a testament to the way Ono’s artistry continues to inspire fresh generations of musicians, even as her own public appearances have become a rarity.

Yoko Ono: More Than Just a Name in Beatles History

Often, Yoko Ono’s incredible artistic journey has been overshadowed by her relationship with John Lennon and the Beatles lore. But for those of us who’ve followed her work beyond the tabloid headlines, her influence on avant-garde art and experimental music is indisputable.

Ono’s career spans over seven remarkable decades, cutting through visual art, performance, activism, and Fluxus experimentation, all woven tightly with her musical endeavors. The Music of the Mind exhibition, put together in collaboration with London’s Tate Modern, represents the most expansive presentation of her work ever staged in Southern California. It offers a rare chance to dive deep into the mind of a visionary whose contributions have often been underappreciated.

“Music was the first thing on Yoko’s artistic mind; it began during her childhood and grew through many stages of her life. Like dandelion seeds, her ideas flew and landed in our hearts, opening our mind’s eye to new skies. On August 8th, we will unite to celebrate the flower garden she gave us.”

– Yuka Honda

The Legacy Continues

Though Yoko Ono, now 93, has stepped back from the spotlight in recent years, her legacy thrives — not just through exhibitions and tributes but through her family’s careful stewardship. Their son, Sean Lennon, has taken on the mantle of preserving and celebrating his father’s musical heritage. He notably won a Grammy last year for his meticulous work on a 50th anniversary reissue of John Lennon’s 1973 solo album Mind Games. It’s a reminder that the Lennon-Ono artistic legacy is in trusted hands.

For fans eager to explore the full spectrum of rock legends, the journey through Ono’s music offers a fascinating detour into the avant-garde side of rock history — a side that’s as vital and vibrant today as it was decades ago.

FAQ

• What is the Yoko Only concert about?
  It’s a tribute concert featuring indie artists performing songs by Yoko Ono and the Plastic Ono Band, celebrating her innovative musical legacy.
• Who are some of the artists performing at the tribute?
  Yo La Tengo, Sleater-Kinney, Nels Cline, Sylvan Esso, Tune-Yards, Rufus Wainwright, and Satomi Matsuzaki will be interpreting Ono’s music live.
• Where and when is the Yoko Only concert taking place?
  The event is set for August 8, 2024, at the East West Bank Plaza at the Broad museum in Southern California.
• What themes in Yoko Ono’s music will the concert highlight?
  The show will explore themes like liberation, vulnerability, resistance, and radical imagination central to Ono’s work.
• What else does the Yoko Ono: Music of the Mind exhibition include?
  It presents her work across decades, covering visual art, performance, activism, experimental music, and Fluxus art movements.

If you’ve ever been captivated by Yoko Ono’s boundary-pushing art and music, why not surround your space with that spirit? Shop your favorite album cover poster inspired by this legendary artist at our store for a daily reminder of her creative genius. Explore our collection here.