Digital, 21 August 2009
MGMT are a band that refuse to be pigeonholed, blending musical styles and snubbing the very notion of adhering to a single artistic direction.
Regular Brighton visitors, their last appearance at Digital happened during the up-curve of their meteoric rise to fame just after the release of their debut album “Oracular Spectacular”, the contents of which range from pure pop decadence to unadulterated sixties style psychedelia – an obviously challenging combination in today’s often-fickle industry.
Indeed, some would argue that a band experimenting with genres so early on would be committing career suicide. It appears however, that this has only aided their success. You only have to take a look at the considerably diverse age range of tonight’s audience to appreciate their broad appeal.
The gig is completely sold-out and the band is warmly welcomed onstage to the Pink Panther theme tune, giving the initial impression that they don’t take themselves too seriously. This laid-back demeanour is quickly shattered when the group kick off with an insanely tight version of “The Handshake”, the ladies swooning at front man Andrew VanWyngarden with his soft falsetto vocals and trademark ethereal benevolence. “Oracular…” certainly has has its magic moments, particularly the brilliant singles “Electric Feel” and “Time To Pretend”, both of which receive massive responses from the audience tonight. But the show has undulating levels of intensity ranging from ecstatic to mediocre. Having toured the first album for over a year now, it was inevitable that the audience would also be privy to some new material, which receives a somewhat lukewarm reaction.
But the band pull it back with set closer and latest single “Kids”, giving two lucky punters the chance to take the stage in some real-life karaoke action; a good laugh, if not a little bit of an anti-climax. So, are they pioneers or phoneys? To be honest, judging from tonight’s gig, I’d say they’re a little bit of both.
Words by James Watts
