Although I missed Perth’s wunderkinds Tame Impala, I think for many they would have been the highlight of the night. Indeed, there was a good bit of fun to follow… but I’m going to say this outright: MGMT are an awful live band, and Luke Steele’s solo tracks leave quite a lot to be desired.
Reminiscent of when I saw The Panics’ Jae Laffer supporting Supergrass, I couldn’t help but feel that a solo set by Empire of the Sun/The Sleepy Jackson’s Luke Steele was tremendously out of place… especially when he wasn’t going to play any known tracks. And indeed that is just what it was… and out of place performance which was largely ignored by crowd, awaiting the arrival of MGMT, often in line for drinks in the process.
When MGMT did launch onto the stage, I have to say I was, at first, impressed… they had a unique and interesting stage set up, and they were in full-band mode! While I was expecting Ben and Andrew to basically come on stage, press play, sing along, and have us all sing along with them, they tried to make the songs as uniquely live as possible. Sometimes this worked – especially with “Future Reflections” which was the surprising highlight of the night. But other times, such as with “Electric Feel” it really didn’t come off too well.
Nonetheless, the crowd sun along as loud as they could and made the best of it all… especially during the unknown tracks, which slowed the momentum down to a halt. They could have at least played a few covers in there to keep it interesting. Ultimately, the problem became the fact that they couldn’t keep the energy of the crowd up high enough to make for an all around fun performance, despite a lack-luster band, and a for-the-most-part-silent Ben and Andrew.
Ending the night with “Kids”, the best sing along of the night, I think we were all happy to have gotten a ticket to what was easily the hardest-to-come-by show of the year, but couldn’t help but thinking they could have done more and said more. And sadly, I think the show I expected (in which they would have pressed play etc.) would have been a higher quality performance. But still, I have to give them credit for trying something different, and it will certainly be interesting to see if they can keep the momentum of success going into the next album. My money is on “no”.
