Alternative, Psych-rock duo, MGMT, brought their latest
leg of the Little Dark Age tour to
Grand Rapids Wednesday night and entertained a nearly full house at 20 Monroe
Live. After having performed in Detroit
on Monday night, the band’s Michigan fans were happy to get to see them again
after having not been included on previous tour legs for their current
album. While the crowd was a bit reserved at times, most were there to dance and
sing along to their favorite tracks, and enough of MGMT’s hits were included
that even casual fans were satisfied.
Being that it was a Wednesday evening show, with an early
door and start time, opening act, Warpaint, warmed up the crowd with a tight
45-minute set of harmony-drenched rock, featuring three female vocalists, often
singing at the same time. Warpaint’s rock with a dance beat fit well with MGMT’s
style, and many in the audience no doubt made it a point to look them up later
if they weren’t already fans.
After a brief set change, MGMT took the stage to a warm
reception and launched into their 80’s synth pop hit, “Me and Michael”,
complete with disco ball lighting effects and a floor full of dancing fans.
Switching then to one of their biggest hits, “Time to Pretend”, it was clear
the night would be a balance of new and old material, of songs the band wanted
to play vs. songs some specifically came to hear. While the song selection was
good, it’s notable that the band leaned almost exclusively on songs from only
their most recent LP and their very first, 2008’s Oracular Spectacular. Only two songs were featured from 2010’s Congratulations, and none at all from
their third, self-titled, LP. Other
highlights included “When You Die”, “Little Dark Age”, the 12-minute suite “Siberian
Breaks”, and “Electric Feel” as well as “Kids”, the band’s biggest hit to-date,
to close the main set.
The show itself was very good. Engaging lights and
projections were featured throughout, but aside from the specifically up-tempo
songs, the band delivered and overall subdued performance most of the night (restrained,
but steady) not too dissimilar from their shows from years past, but with a bit
less Flaming-Lips-style craziness and energy at times. The crowd was very
supportive, but their enthusiasm and engagement varied throughout the night, depending
on which song was being performed, with the band’s biggest hits still garnering
the best receptions. Singer/guitarist, Andrew VanWyngarden and
keyboardist/vocalist Ben Goldwasser both had a commanding stage presence throughout
the concert and interacted with fans on occasion during key moments of the show.
After opening their short encore with “TSLAMP”,
ironically being photographed and filmed by phones all across the venue, VanWyngarden
introduced the audience to Encore Duck, a large plastic duck meant more for a
pool than a bathtub, adorned in scarves, which he passed out to the crowd,
asking them to pass the duck around during the band’s final song. After explaining
that he wanted the duck to “ride gently across a sea of hands” rather than
being thrown across the room like a beach ball, MGMT closed the show with “The
Youth” from their debut album. All told, they played 15 songs, in just under 1hr
45 min, and while they certainly have enough material to deliver a longer
performance, the length and pacing of this particular show felt just about
right.
MGMT set list
(chant/call letters intro)
Me and Michael
Time to Pretend
When You Die
Flash Delirium
Of Moons, Birds & Monsters
Little Dark Age
James
Weekend Wars
Siberian Breaks
Electric Feel
One Thing Left to Try
When You’re Small
Kids
------------(encore break)------
TSLAMP
(Encore Duck jam)
The Youth
--------------------------------------
