I was offered an impromptu free ticket from an old friend to go see MGMT at the Oakdale Dome in Wallingford. I hopped in the car and got going. I’d never seen the band before, nor was I that big a fan of their latest album, but it would still be a good time. The only thing I really expected for this show were kids in neon pants and animal print hoodies, but I wasn’t prepared for what the night would bring.
We got there in the freezing pouring rain and Kuroma was playing. I’d never heard of them before, but the screen behind the stage was bumping their name to the beat of the drum, and the neon lights were blinding. The packed venue was filled with more talking than attentive listening, and then it hit me. I’d never been around the whole drug-scene-thing, but now I was surrounded by it. There were people literally sparking their lighters and smoking right in the venue. I was so surprised that the guards weren’t doing anything about it because it was so incredibly obvious that there was no way that anyone was really that idiotic and oblivious.
I didn’t care much for Kuroma considering every single one of their songs sounded exactly the same and it all felt like a strange trippy experience that wasn’t at all enjoyable, I was looking forward to MGMT. The messed up crowd wasn’t necessarily dangerous or threatening, it was just strange but tame. Regardless, I made sure to be careful.
There wasn’t even a push forward when the band came on, just a bunch of ‘wooooooooooo’s. The musicianship was wonderful throughout the whole evening. Andrew, the lead vocalist, was spot on and quite a showman. He was entertaining to watch but not over-the-top as to not take away from the bizarre but captivating graphic display on behind them. There were strange and abstract images along with bright hues and confusing patterns. They weren’t exactly incredible- they sounded exactly like they do on their recordings. No bells or whistles, just straight up perfect and smooth sound.
I was disappointed in the fact that ninety five percent of the crowd was too f’d up to appreciate the band. I don’t get it and I never will, but missing out on a pure concert experience isn’t something I’d really dig. Regardless, to each his own, but it’s also not as if the band doesn’t expect that. They cater to that kind of fan, along with white girls in Uggs, but you can’t help but wonder why MGMT purposely writes music to have that kind of fanbase come see ’em. Nevertheless, it was great to finally see them live and be able to see their brilliant visual show, hear that they sound exactly the same live as recorded, and really understand the hype- they’re a great band to play at a party, but they’re not worth buying a ticket for or getting bummed that their shows sell out. They’re not great, but they’re good enough. They’re a good free Friday night out, that’s for sure.