MGMT: Live in Concert at the Showbox SoDo

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Author: Bridget Benevides

As this school year comes to a close, ask yourself: Have I been to enough concerts this year? Honestly, the answer is probably no. You can never go to too many concerts! Whether you’re leaving Seattle, or staying here for the summer, you should take advantage of its incredible music scene and check out MGMT. MGMT is coming to the Showbox Sodo on Saturday, May 12th and Sunday, May 13th.

Formed by Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden as freshmen at Wesleyan University, MGMT emerged as one of the most buzzed-over bands to sprout in the tail end of the 2000s, playing a distinct blend of electronic rock and psychedelic pop. Their music was hipster-identified but caught on with a wide audience—including Paul McCartney, who picked MGMT to open for him in 2009.

The band’s sound draws from Sixties psychedelic acts to Nineties Britpop bands to more contemporary artists like Muse and the Flaming Lips, whose producer Dave Fridmann worked on Oracular Spectacular. The album kicked off with “Time to Pretend,” an eruption of dizzying keyboards and handclaps with a chorus that seemed to boast MGMT’s mission statement, “This is our decision, to live fast and die young. We’ve got the vision, now let’s have some fun.” “Time to Pretend” was later named by Rolling Stone as Number Three on the list of Best Songs of 2008. Oracular spawned to more major singles, the rapturous “Electric Feel” and the explosive “Kids,” a New Order-inspired rave-up that further helped propel MGMT into the mainstream.

Image courtesy of axs.com

MGMT was soon recruited to play major festivals around the world, from Bonnaroo, Coachella, SXSW and Lollapalooza to Glastonbury, Roskilde, Reading and Leeds. Goldwasser and VanWyngarden also found themselves opening for the likes of Radiohead, M.I.A., Beck and, by special request, Paul McCartney, who loudly championed MGMT and asked them to open for him during his concerts at Boston’s Fenway Park in August 2009.

MGMT featured on tracks like Kid Cudi’s “Pursuit of Happiness” and Flaming Lips’ “Worm Mountain” in 2009. MGMT’s music became so widespread that even French President Nicolas Sarkozy used the song “Kids,” in campaign videos and conferences.

Fans of MGMT also like Vampire Weekend, Passion Pit and Foxygen. If those are artists you recognize and like, you might be interested in checking out MGMT!

MGMT is coming to Showbox Sodo on Saturday, May 12th and Sunday, May 13th. This show is open to all ages, doors open at 7:00pm and the show will start at 8:00pm with a performance by Molly Nilsson. You can find ticket prices and event information HERE.You can connect with the band on Facebook, YouTube,Twitter, or on their Official Website.


BRIDGET BENEVIDES | If you like what you’re reading, think about donating to KXSU! | KXSU Music Reporter

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