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When a song spontaneously combusts into stereophonic gold, becoming bigger than the band itself and represents the reemergence of counter-culture ideals – mythical, unrealistic expectations are ingrained into the minds and ears of anyone expecting to see that same fire in a live show.
Enter MGMT, seemingly lost in its own global success, whimpered through the motions to a sold-out LC Pavilion on Tuesday night. Songs from Oracular Spectacular and its highly underrated counterpart, Congratulations that, on album, showcase MGMT’s ability to construct psychedelic sonic landscapes fell flat with lifeless renditions.
Things got moderately exciting during “Of Moons, Birds & Monsters,” “It’s Working,” and “Weekend Wars” when lead singer Andrew VanWyngarden and his band kicked the emotion level up a notch and delivered solid performances. There was a mass exodus to refill beverages when the last note of “Time to Pretend” rang out as the audience was parched with anticipation waiting to hear MGMT’s masterfully crafted anthem.
For the first 14 songs of their 16-song set, MGMT appeared to be sleepwalking, or more apropos, sleepsinging, their way back to the tour bus and on to the next stop. The irony of MGMT’s lackluster performance was that the band seemed to come alive for their encore “Kids,” a song they no doubt loathe. Dancing, singing, smiling, and drawing upon stagehands to play multiple instruments, MGMT came alive by the way of melodic defibrillator and finally let their guard down and had fun playing fun music.
The song of the night and evening closer was the title track off Congratulations, a sweet and earnest coda that let the audience down gently after being lead-on for over an hour by a band that may or may not have wanted to be playing in Columbus.
This review was written by Josh Fitzwater and brought you by the Franklin University Plaza at the LC Pavilion. For more information about shows that Josh and the Franklin crew will be attending and for chances to win tickets to concerts all summer long, visit www.franklin.edu/concerts or like us on Facebook.
From my vantage point I didn’t think it was a “psychedelic sonic landscapes” type of crowd. Maybe MGMT got the same vibe. Disappointing on both ends.
I don’t think it had much to do with Columbus. My data is obviously limited and anecdotal, but I’ve yet to hear a report of MGMT putting on a very good live show. I missed getting tickets, and that was partially due to hemming and hawing because multiple friends who’ve seen them elsewhere, including one who runs a fairly major music blog, indicated they don’t translate well on the live stage.
all that said, once Tuesday night rolled around I wished I had purchased tickets.
This is not a band known for their stage presence. I thought they sounded great live and am personally more into songs like ‘Song for Dan Treacy’ & ‘Siberian Nights’. It seemed the crowd wasn’t as familiar with their latest release. That said everyone around me seemed to thoroughly enjoy their set. The vocals certainly could have been louder but it was great to hear them live. Also, Tame Imapla(the opener) was excellent. This was more of a psych show. Less beer more smoke. I loved the set. Its not for everyone though. I didn’t get the impression they didn’t want to be here. I’d welcome them back anytime.
“MGMT appeared to be sleepwalking”- i am pretty sure that they were up all night and may have caught their first sleep after the CD101 Big Room performance where they mentioned it was early and they haven’t slept yet. Nonetheless, I had a great time at the show.
I went to the MGMT show. I love MGMT, and I was really excited. However, the vibe was really, really weird. I picked up the same feeling at the Vampire Weekend show a couple months back. The crowd was very young; not age wise, but maturity. People were stepping and running into my friends and I and people around us without apologizing. I’m not advocating for perfect manners but common decency is one thing.
When the show started, a huge pack of drunk girls started dancing next to my friends and I, in the aisle, and bumping into people who were standing and enjoying the music. They then proceeded to dry hump with their dudes (I’m all for free lovin, but I didn’t really think MGMT was bump-and-grind music). One girl puked and then passed out in the grass, and her friends ditched her. It was just really, really disturbing.
I really enjoyed the set and the light show that MGMT put on; the set list was great, and they sounded very good live. But I really could not believe the scene. I’m hoping it’s not going to be a trend in Columbus concerts because it’ll be really disturbing.
I chose to purchase tickets at the door to save on the ticketmaster fee. Upon arrival I was greeted by a scalper wanting $100 a ticket! Sounds like it was a good decision for me to bale! There were some good vibes at the upstairs bar before the show!
I too tried to roll up and get a ticket at the last minute, it was around 10 something, i thought they would just be going on but they were half way done, so I chilled at the A&R bar and watched all of the teenagers walk out, it looked like grad night at Kings Island.
Friends in other cities have reported similarly disappointing concerts. I think they just don’t have a great stage presence.