MGMT + Violens – Metropolis – Wednesday, August 4th, 2010
I’d be lying if I said I was one of those people who thoroughly enjoy packed shows- the idea of hoards of sweaty people barely giving one room to breathe does not appeal to me in the least. But I have to say, sweat and all, the long awaited and anticipated MGMT performance with guests Violens definitely made up for the heat and spilled beer (there goes my new top).
The music started promptly at 8:00 pm, when Violens hit the stage. The New York based psychedelic rock trio put on an entertaining set to say the least. Opening up for a band with a devoted fanbase such as that of MGMT would be hard for anyone but Violens did a great job of grabbing everyone’s attention from the start and not letting go of it until they were finished. The band played songs off their summer mixtape and their 7″vinyl, which includes the dreamy “Acid Raid”. The boys weren’t too talkative between songs, but rather concentrated on their music, letting one song settle into the next and making us feel as if we were all intertwined together in an electrified reverie with a stellar soundtrack. The end of their performance left many feeling starry eyed, yet energized for what was to come.
After a 20 min break filled with pulsated “MG-MT!” chants from the crowd, roars from fans filled the room as the band took stage and began their epic performance amid brightly coloured abstract hues and psychedelic pictures projected on a whimsical, wave-like backdrop. Seeing as this was the Congratulations tour, most of the songs they played came off of their new album. Songs like “Flash Delirium”, “Song for Dan Treacy”, and “I Found a Whistle” were definite set highlights. The band also stayed true to their roots by playing notorious tunes from their first album, Oracular Spectacular, such as opening their set with “Pieces of What”, and then performing “Electric Feel”, “Time to Pretend”, and others throughout the set. With water bottles thrown off and on stage, to crowd surfers with glow sticks, and a hazy cloud of second hand smoke, avid Montreal fans showed their true love for MGMT by singing along and ignoring the heat filled, jam packed, sweat drenched venue. The highlight of the show was definitely the finale performance of the renowned song, “Kids” which actually made sweet love to my eardrums.
Truth be told, I have heard a number of floating rumours and opinions that MGMT’s live performances do not do any justice to their recorded pieces. This being said, since it was my first time seeing MGMT live, I went in with a bit of a biased expectation of seeing just another rock show. I’ve been to my fair share of concerts, and I understand how it feels to be let down by a band that doesn’t live up to their recorded material, but hey, part of the whole live music experience is artistic creativity, imperfection, and the thrill of seeing a band perform live. I am glad to say that I am putting an end to these rumors, and giving MGMT two big thumbs way up for a stellar performance, especially on what was in my opinion the song of the night, “Kids”, which was flawless.
The crowd was sad to see the MGMT crew leave stage, and after some more of those rabid “MGMT!” chants, the boys came back on stage and showed their appreciation for their Montreal fans with an encore. As they left the stage a second time, some of the crowd started heading out, while others still chanted, and to their delight, the band came out again to give a second encore.
After the show, I was fortunate enough to go backstage and meet up with the band and after being lead down, I was able to grab a couple of words with lead singer Andrew VanWyngarden, and asked how he felt his performance was compared to others given in Montreal. “The last time we were here was about 2 years ago, summer of 2008 for Osheaga” he said. “This time around we have new songs, and it’s an all round different performing experience”.
Once I stepped out of Metropolis, I was hit with a sudden rush of fresh air (along with the pitch of screaming girls waiting anxiously to get a sneak peak at the band before they head out on their long drive to Toronto). My lungs couldn’t be happier to no longer have to breathe evaporated sweat/second hand smoke I’m confident in saying that Montreal’s love for MGMT is only growing, and that we would be more than eager to have them, and guests Violens, back very soon. – Sarah Touyz
MGMT
Violens
Photography by Leanne Craigmyle
