Steve Lacy Opens ‘Oh Yeah?’ Tour With Smiths Cover in Minneapolis

Steve Lacy launched his 27-city North American tour at the Armory in Minneapolis on Sept. 27. He surprised fans with a rendition of The Smiths' 1984 track, "This Night Has Opened My Eyes." Lacy performed the song partway through his set, strumming his guitar.

"It's just been one of my favorite songs since I was a stoner in high school," Steve Lacy told attendees, according to Stereogum. "It might really suck."

The Smiths recorded this track during a 1983 Peel session. It never appeared on a studio album. Fans could find it on the compilations Hatful of Hollow and Louder Than Bombs.

Lacy delivered his most recent album, Oh Yeah?, in full at the 8,400-capacity venue. The 28-year-old artist also pulled tracks from his back catalog, reaching into 2017's Steve Lacy's Demo EP. "Dark Red," "Ryd," and "Some" all made appearances.

Six songs from Gemini Rights filled out the setlist. "Bad Habit," "Static," and "Helmet" got the crowd moving. Lacy also played "Hate CD" from Apollo XXI.

The guitarist released Oh Yeah? on July 17 through RCA. This 10-track album brought together SZA, Erykah Badu, and Cecile Believe. It arrived after 2022's Gemini Rights.

The tour will carry the singer across North America this fall. Next, he'll spend two nights in Chicago at Aragon Ballroom. Then, Lacy will cross into Canada with stops in Toronto and Laval. He'll return to the US for a show at Radio City Music Hall, and he'll finish the tour with a two-night stint in Boston.