Sonic Youth Members Thurston Moore, Lee Ranaldo, and Steve Shelley Deliver Rare Performance in New York

In a surprise move, three members of the iconic alternative rock band Sonic Youth – Thurston Moore, Lee Ranaldo, and Steve Shelley – reunited for a rare performance at The Stone in New York City on December 5, 2024. The intimate set featured a mostly improvised noise-rock performance, with the trio delivering a thrilling show that culminated in a climactic ending with swirling guitars and cymbals.

Notably absent from the performance was Kim Gordon, who was instead performing with Dinosaur Jr. in Los Angeles on the same night. The reunion was not billed as a Sonic Youth performance, but rather as a collaboration between Moore and Ranaldo, with Shelley joining them on stage.

The rare convergence of the three musicians marked a special occasion for fans, who were treated to a unique and improvisational set that showcased the trio’s enduring chemistry and musical rapport.