Home > Austin Music Source > Archives > 2010 > June > 07 > Entry
Live review: MGMT at Stubb’s
Sunday night at Stubb’s, psych rock band MGMT—now much more a complete band than when Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden released “Oracular Spectacular” as a duo back in 2007—blended old and new material, erasing some of the rift that exists between the single-heavy “Oracular” and their more experimental recent release, “Congratulations.” Led by VanWyngarden, the band, now with a few years of touring experience behind them, brought a somewhat restrained, professional air as they worked through a set that balanced new songs such as “Flash Delirium” and “Siberian Breaks” against “Pieces of What” and “Time To Pretend.”
While the audience predictably responded more to the early, familiar material, a lot of the songs in the set off “Oracular,” including “Weekend Wars,” had a more organic feel than the canned beats and polished synthesizer of the studio recordings. This helped add some cohesiveness to a set that could have been very uneven, given the direction the band has headed with the new album. “Flash Delirium,” the most promoted of the new songs, is a rambling, layered exercise in experimental pop, something very different from the more tightly structured songs that drew people to the group in the first place. It sounded at home, however, aside the spacey “The Youth.”
Though they played the new material with confidence, it was clear that Goldwasser and VanWyngarden understand that a lot of people still are more interested in those older songs, especially when the low-budget light bulbs adorning the stage lit up with a giant “MGMT” during “Electric Feel,” one of their more upbeat tunes, and one that you might have heard playing in Urban Outfitters. If you’re bummed that you missed this, it’s probably available on YouTube, as a lot of the audience enjoyed the song through camera and phone displays.
After few more songs, including “Siberian Breaks,” “Time to Pretend” and the speedy closer “Brian Eno,” they left the stage for maybe a minute, returning for an encore of “Congratulations” and a recording of “Kids,” during which the band welcomed opening act Tame Impala on stage to dance and throw water at the crowd—which was either fun or not, depending on how badly you wanted to see them perform the crowd favorite.
Follow Austin Music Source on Facebook and Twitter.
Permalink | Comments (8) | Categories: Reviews
Comments
When commenting, we ask that you keep things civil and abide by our Visitor Agreement. To report comment abuse, click here.
By Bernard
June 7, 2010 2:01 PM | Link to this
Set list MGMT Stubb’s 06-06-10 9pm-1020pm 80 minutes 1. Pieces Of What 2. Song For Dan Treacy 3. Weekend Wars 4. Destrokk 5. Flash Delirium 6. The Youth 7. Someone’s Missing 8. It’s Working 9. Electric Feel 10. Siberian Breaks 11. Time To Pretend 12. The Handshake 13. Brian Eno Encore 14. Congratulations 15. Kids
By Rabbit
June 7, 2010 4:29 PM | Link to this
Borrrrrr-ing!!!! One of the worst shows I’ve ever seen, considering I paid $37 for a ticket. Their three hits were played with lackluster energy while their newer material was delivered with even less. I’m one of the few who like their new album, but a live setting is not where it is best enjoyed. MGMT, at least pretend like you enjoy playing live … You had the most raucous crowd at ACL two years ago and this follow-up could’ve been so much more than it was … So long, that’ll be the last show of yours that I go and see.
By TJ Mathias
June 7, 2010 9:24 PM | Link to this
Note to MGMT:
When you come to Austin, bring out all your tricks. We are a city that thrives off live music. Hence why we so cleverly named ourselves the Live Music Capitol of The World. I am a fan of the new album. Reminds me of Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys of the later years….with some more drugs sprinkled in. Your live performance was one of the weakest I’ve seen to date. Tickets to your show sold out in 5 minutes and were not cheap.
I understand if your sick of playing Kids for all the frat boys to enjoy, we all are. But there is no excuse for how terrible of a show you put on last night. Your encore of a glorified karaoke “Kids” was the cherry on the top for me.
Do yourselves a favor and don’t waste your time coming back to Austin. We enjoy GOOD live music here.
By voice of reason
June 7, 2010 10:52 PM | Link to this
Oh, quit being such a scenester. That was a perfectly enjoyable show and the majority of the audience had a very good time (I can’t speak for those past the soundboard, as half of Stubbs is ALWAYS just the crowd of talkers, drinkers and texters that shouldn’t even bother leaving the house). The songs from the new album sounded surprisingly strong live, and a great many around me were singing along to them already. The only song they made perfunctory was “Kids” at the end, as the reviewer already described.
By Lily
June 8, 2010 10:04 AM | Link to this
I thought it was entertaining, but not as full as energy as I would have expected from them. I enjoyed the show and did a little dancing, but I Stubb’s kinda blows since its so big so its hard to have a personal experience anyway. They did alright.
By Hunter
June 8, 2010 11:24 AM | Link to this
This show couldve been better, but MGMT put on a great performance and i was very happy with it. The whole crowd (or at least around the spot I was at which was very close the front) was very into the concert and it seemed like everyone had a great time. It was definately one of the greatest nights of my life and one that I will never forget.
By rosa pastel
June 8, 2010 3:30 PM | Link to this
the stage presence was amazinggggggg. you know, minus the few texters and drunks out there (like someone mentioned above) who, in my opinion, should’ve been elsewhere. BUT i swayed and shouted and jumped and let the music drift me away.. i could honestly say this was a damn good show and definitely and unforgettable night. MGMT, KEEP DOING YOU. <3
By Camille
June 8, 2010 8:26 PM | Link to this
MGMT sounds great live, and this is because they really focus on the music which is why they don’t do alot of theatrics. When they first started making music they were just kids singing along to a computer which is why Kids was done karaoke style, their new album they made with live shows in mind so it is easier to play live than Oracular Spectacular. While i would like MGMT to have a little more enthusiasm it is understandable when they go from town to town everyday with out rest which is what life on the road is like, the most important thing is the music and it sounded good