Words and photos by DCist contributor Francis Chung

Brooklyn-based four-piece Yeasayer brought their self-described “Middle Eastern-Psych-Pop-Snap-Gospel” to D.C. on Wednesday night, and the Sixth & I Historic Synagogue proved to be an apt setting for their inspired performance. The historic building’s excellent acoustics and top-notch sound system conveyed the nuances of the band’s complex sonic palette. The religious setting also gave the spiritual connotations of the band’s psychedelic drones, tribal beats, incendiary chants, church-choir harmonies, and lyrics that range from transcendentalist to apocalyptic a physical manifestation.

During songs like the dystopian “2080”, lead vocalist/keyboardist Chris Keating worked himself into a firebrand frenzy, while bassist Ira Wolf Tuton and percussionist Luke Fasano laid down an impressive rhythmic foundation over which Anand Wilder applied alternately intricate and explosive guitar work. Despite the intensity of the music, most audience members remained respectfully seated in the synagogue’s pews for most of the set, until Keating finally exhorted them to come forth toward the stage for the conclusion of the performance. Adding interfaith diversity to their musical eclecticism, Yeasayer was scheduled to play at the First Unitarian Church in Philadelphia on Thursday night, before closing out their current tour with two NYC gigs this weekend.