The Youth is Starting to Change: MGMT at Prospect Park

Marjana Jaidi / July 03, 2009

On Wednesday night, MGMT (along with opening acts Kuroma and Suckers) played a homecoming concert at The Bandshell in Prospect Park. When I first saw them on October 30 at Webster Hall, I got the impression that they were timid rock stars, not yet comfortable with their impending stardom (although it might have been because their faces were obscured by gigantic mariachi hats). Eight months later, the band blossomed, particularly frontman Andrew VanWyngarden (above, right). His newfound dynamism had him moving around the stage, interacting with his band mates, and even talking to the audience.

They opened with “Destrokk”, a track off of the Time to Pretend EP, and played every song off of their debut album, Oracular Spectacular. Highlights included “The Youth” and “Electric Feel”, where the audience not only sang along to the words, but also to the music. They also played “It’s Working”, a Beach Boys-inspired track with an opening chord progression reminiscent of Radiohead’s “Street Spirit”.

Fireworks erupted as they came out for the encore, prompting them to play a few chords of the “Star Spangled Banner”. The encore consisted of “Future Reflections” and of course, “Kids”, when both the crowd and the band came alive. They closed the show with another new song, “Congratulations”, reportedly the title track of their upcoming album.

MGMT displayed growth both as musicians and performers, playing old favorites and giving us a taste of what’s to come. If you missed their show last night, be sure to check them out when they come back for All Points West at the end of the month.

Set List:
Destrokk
4th Dimension Transition/Song for Dan Treacy
Pieces of What
Weekend Wars
Time to Pretend
Electric Feel
It’s Working
Of Moons, Birds & Monsters
The Youth
The Handshake

Encore:
Future Reflections
Kids
Congratulations

Andrew VanWyngarden at Webster Hall on October 30, 2008