Deborah McArthur reviews MGMT's recent concert.
MGMT – love their Oracular Spectacular album and must admit I am a new fan but can see this relationship lasting for a long time.
I was super excited as their gig was at the Barrowlands - my favourite venue in Glasgow. But I was sadly disappointed. Don’t get me wrong--hits like ‘Time to Pretend’ and ‘Kids’ got a huge response from the crowd, but other than that it was as though we were standing in an extremely hot, may I add wonderful, hall listening to music.
There was no atmosphere. People around about me were holding conversations, and I have to admit my friend and I had done the same nearer the end of the set, which is shocking. I would never dare do that; I am normally so engrossed in the music and the atmosphere.
Don’t get me wrong. The band sound amazing live. Their melodies are so catchy and the band are so tight. Andrew Vanwyngarden (the lead singer) has a beautiful voice and I could listen to him all day. I just couldn’t watch him because there was no performance. I love the retro sound of their music but it was such an understated performance, and not in a “cool” way.
I expected more from them playing the Barrowlands. Legends have graced this stage and when I go to this venue I usually know I am going to get a performance of a lifetime. Unfortunately I didn’t get that from MGMT. I have to admit I don’t own their first album but this will be a purchase I will make this week and will probably love it as I do the second album.
I am disappointed I wasn’t bowled over by them as I had such high expectations. The Vjing was brilliant and it enhanced what small performance there was but to be more interested in the visuals than the band isn’t very good. MGMT are going to be one of those live bands like The View, I love their music and will listen to their albums for years to come but their live performances don’t do anything for me, and that is ok. I can appreciate them for their music, which I will say again is amazing!!
Maybe I expected too much from a live performance???!!!!!
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