Yes, that’s Susan Sarandon, amidst the feathers, pretending to be a school marm and spanking pigs. This was my first ever Of Montreal show, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. Yes, of course, they put on a ridiculous show, but it was great musically, too. Huge guitar sounds and stunning bass riffs kept the caffeinated crowd (most far too young to drink legally) jumping up and down throughout their entire set. I don’t love Of Montreal as much as most, but I do think they’re a wonderful, important band, and their show met all of my expectations, even after some of the ridiculous stories I’ve heard. I won’t say too much more because nearly every music website has certainly written about it already. I can say now though, with full authority, that if you’ve never seen this band before, definitely shell out the bucks to see them the next time they come around. They take great care to make sure you get your money’s worth. The opener, James Husband, Of Montreal’s drummer, was adorable in his apparent nervousness, but nothing to write home about. Photos below, though I went to this show mainly with the intent to enjoy myself, so I’m sure you can find much, much better pictures on another website. My favorite Of Montreal song after the photos.
James Husband:
Of Montreal:
2 Comments
January 29, 2010 at 7:40 am
Knowing full well that I’m about to sound like a hipster douchebag…but here goes. of Montreal has gotten too big for me.
When I saw them a couple times back in 2005/beginning of ’06, their live show was shockingly good. The venue wasn’t exactly tiny (it was that former roller disco in Philly…Starlight Ballroom, was it called?)…but it was small and intimate enough that you really felt immersed in the theatrics of the show. There were parts where you just couldn’t believe the crazy shit that was happening right in front of you.
When I saw them again at the much bigger Electric Factory a few years later, I really felt something had been lost in translation. Like the antics weren’t about having fun with the crowd anymore — it was more like “what can we do to really shock them this time.”
Whatever. Maybe I’m just bitter since Skeletal Lamping sucked.
February 3, 2010 at 12:49 am
Yeah, yeah Starlight Ballroom, the one that looks like a 70s roller rink. I don’t think that sounds too hipster douche-baggy. I’d never seen them before, so it was all just kind of overwhelming my senses, but I’m sure if I saw them again it would seem a bit tired, the antics would be exposed for what they really are now: an expectation or even requirement. Maybe that’s not true. I remember feeling that way about Art Brut when I saw them two years after I first saw them. I’d love to see a Kevin Barnes solo acoustic show. Does that ever happen?