Finding a car park near the Birmingham Academy is about as easy as finding Nelson’s Column in the Bermuda Triangle. Tonight night largely by accident, we succeed.The venue is full to the rafters and by the time Violens (Vi-lenz) finish their set of instantly forgettable feedback drenched rock the 3000 strong crowd (inc. two thirds of the Bawley crew) are more than ready to see what all the fuss is about.
MGMT kick off their set with a rocking version of Weekend Wars, quickly followed by Pieces of What. The band are in a relaxed mood tonight, engaging in chilled out between song jams that continue for just a little too long.
In contrast with the bands relaxed mood, the crowd is hyped! Crowd surfer after crowd surfer tumble into the photo pit as the band stroll though The Youth and Future Reflections.
No doubt the Skins/Gossip Girl plugged singles Time To Pretend and Electric Feel get the biggest cheers, but for me it is the album tracks Of Moons, Birds & Monsters and 4th Dimensional Transition that provide the highlights. The rumbling drum fills and falsetto vocals on 4th Dimensional Transition are particularly satisfying.
Rolling Stone described Metanioa as a "14-minute opus, which ranges from Donovan-ish acid ballads to interstellar synth-powered dirges to falsetto-laden theatre rock." Tonight, it comes across as an admission that the band, having played every track of their debut album, needs just a few more songs to fill out a headline slot.
Closing the main set with the thunderous The Handshake, the band leave the stage to rapturous applause before returning seconds later for a sing-a-long karaoke version of Kids - Do, do, do, do, do, di, da, da, doo, doo ...
The Bawley crew leave happy and yes, with Kids stuck in our heads.
Do, do, do, do, do, di, da, da, doo, doo ...
1 comment:
Great review! Agree totally about highlights/lowlights etc, and it was a fun evening.
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