VIDEO: MGMT Debut New Album at Secret Show
It Happened Last Night
MGMT / Photo by Julie Kennedy
"We just really like to play music," MGMT singer/guitarist Andrew Vanwyngarden said Sunday night at New York City's Mercury Lounge, where his five-piece band unveiled their second album, Congratulations, with a secret gig. He wasn't kidding -- and it showed.
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Photos by Julie Kennedy
Rocketing through 12 songs in 60 minutes, the former SPIN cover boys were in top form, opening with the jangly, multi-movement Anglo rocker "Song for Dan Treacy," Congratulations' ode to the frontman of Brit post-punk band Television Personalities.
Clearly enjoying themselves -- dancing, smiling, and interacting with each other -- the band (also featuring core member Ben Goldwasser) then ripped through a set heavy on Congratulations stand-outs: the jittery psych epic "Flash Delirium"; their Zombies-esque ecstasy jam "It's Working"; and "Brian Eno," a nod to the U2/Coldplay/Talking Heads producer, which the band preceded with a joke.
"We'd like Brian Eno up onstage," Vanwyngarden said, spurring darting glances from the 250-person crowd, followed by a long, awkward pause. Psyche!
The band then ripped into the bubblegum-goth jam, featuring Addams Family-like organ, driving drums, and Vanwyngarden's spooky snarl: "If the sky was synthesized, you'd probably know! / We're always one step behind him, he's Brian Eno!"
For a band set to headline upcoming summer fests, the intimate show -- announced online to coincide with MGMT's scavenger hunt -- was a special treat for fans, who danced and sang along with the new tracks, despite the fact that the album won't be out until April 13.
The mood was celebratory and fresh -- Vanwyngarden and Co. were clearly excited about the new tracks. "This is the first time we've played this song live," the frontman explained before "Siberian Breaks," a moody, 12-minute epic that dives right down the rabbit hole. Playing to the crowd, Vanwyngarden enjoyed all 730 seconds of the song.
The band sprinkled their set with a few oldies -- "Time to Pretend," "Electric Feel" -- but it was all about the newbies, the pinnacle of which was "Congratulations," a tender acoustic ballad with steel drum-sounding keyboard riffs and moving lyrics: "I'm dead in the water… I'd rather dissolve than have you ignore me."
It's a seismic shift from the pop-tastic dance jams that won them fame, but one that's a convincing step forward.
Congratulations, MGMT.
MGMT:
1. "Song for Dan Treacy"
2. "Weekend Wars"
3. "It's Working"
4. "Flash Delirium"
5. "Time to Pretend"
6. "I Found a Whistle"
7. "Siberian Breaks"
8. "Electric Feel"
9. "Pieces of What"
10. "Brian Eno"
Encore:
11. "The Youth"
12. "Congratulations"
13 Comments
Click here to comment- Posted By self-titled
03.16.10 9:10 AM
Funny, our take was a little different:
http://bit.ly/coG4Oo
- Posted By Anonymous basterd
03.15.10 11:17 PM
Lighten up critics, anything recorded and polished in the studio then needs a good dust up and rehersals for the road,....DUH!
'Mommy, why did it hurt?'
- Posted By Anonymous Also
03.15.10 2:43 PM
any comment from anyone at the show? very interested to know your thoughts, gracias
- Posted By idlehands237
03.15.10 2:26 PM
Hmmmm yep..thats some prety crappy live performances...I agree with JB...Im not looking forward to this release at all. Should be their backlash at fame record.
- Posted By JB
03.15.10 2:08 PM
OK, maybe I was a bit harsh, but I was really underwhelmed. I get the whole "try something different for the next album" schpeel, but it seems like they are deliberately trying to push people away. Sorry, but it just sounds like every other generic pitchforky indie pop outfit. Looks like this album is setting up for probably lots of critical appeal, but vast public rejection.
03.16.10 11:56 AM
JB
I think you are thinking too hard. Let MGMT do their thing. Who cares what the critics say? And who cares if the public flock to their new album or not? Let them play. That's what musicians do.