In the queue outside the main room at the Ed Sullivan Theater, attendees of the Soundgarden ‘Live on Letterman’ performance could get a taste of what was in store as the band sound-checked one of their first shows in New York City proper in years. But fans of these ’90s grunge luminaries definitely weren’t disappointed with the free performance (streamed online simultaneously) though they may not have felt the new King Animal songs registered amongst the band’s greatest works. (But even middle of the road Soundgarden bests much of the mainstream rock scene.) The band’s near hour long set fortunately didn’t include the obvious comeback / Animal-opener “Been Away Too Long” but the included at least six of the new tracks. The short set ended with the classic “Fell on Black Days” alongside the new “Rowing”, an abstract, song reminiscent of Tool, which has Cornell’s vocal’s layered on top of each other.
Setlist:
Worse Dreams
By Crooked Steps
Incessant Mace
Beyond The Wheel
Taree
A Thousand Days Before
Eyelid’s Mouth
Non-State Actor
Fell On Black Days
Rowing