MGMT Triumph At Intimate London Gig

MGMT treated a star-studded audience to a spectacular show at the intimate surroundings of London’s ICA last night.

The Brooklyn duo were bolstered by three other band members as they fully justified the hype that has surrounded them over recent months. Those fortunate enough to get a ticket knew they were being treated to a rare chance to see the band on such a small stage.

Straggly-looking frontman Andrew Vanwyngarden greeted the crowd with “Hello London!”, before they kick-started the set with the funky ‘Weekend Wars.’

The pace started slowly with tracks like ‘4th Dimensional Transitional’ as they decided to leave their bigger songs until towards the end of the set.

Resembling something like a T4 party, James and Jamie from the Klaxons, Peanut, Nick and Simon from the Kaiser Chiefs, producer Mark Ronson, Kimberly Stewart, Martina Topley-Bird and Miquita Oliver were all spotted at the back of the room.

Each song had a rawer edge to the record ‘Oracular Spectacular’, with the band elongating songs with almost prog-esque tendencies. Fortunately it worked. Very well.

Single ‘Time To Pretend’ was dropped about three quarters into the set, yet even this high point was overshadowed by the rousing finale.

Coming on for their first encore, frontman Andrew took over on the drums as they launched into ‘The Youth’, which was received fervently by the audience.

However, the biggest reaction of the night came with their second encore ‘Kids.’ The track prompted Mark Ronson and James from the Klaxons to pogo to the front with almost boyish enthusiasm. Bedecked in a fetching pair of sunglasses, Andrew ended the set straddling the speakers triumphantly.

The band are hopping back over the pond to their native America next week for a showcase at South by Southwest.

You can read Gigwise’s review of ‘Oracular Spectacular’ by CLICKING HERE

The full set-list at last night's gig was as follows:

Weekend Wars
The Handshake
Future Reflections
4th Dimensional Transition
Pieces Of What
Electric Feel
Metanoia
Time To Pretend
Of Moons, Birds & Monsters
The Youth
Kids