Gig review: MGMT in Auckland

A prime opportunity for MGMT to prove they're winning the battle between hype and substance went begging at the band's first Auckland show. Reviewer Chris Schulz was there.

Okay, so you're in one of the world's most hyped bands that - thanks to three all-conquering hit singles - has sparked a revolution in psychedelic indie-pop.

Bands are copying your style. You're awarded the title of Band of the Year and Album of the Year in 2008 by NME magazine. You've singlehandedly made Brooklyn the coolest musical hub since Seattle in the '90s. 

And with just one album behind you, you're selling out concerts and headlining festivals the world over.

That doesn't mean you can get away without playing your own songs properly.

MGMT ended the first of three sold out shows at Auckland venue The Powerstation with a sloppy one-track encore comprised of their signature hit Kids, performed karaoke style as frontmen Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden lazily sang along to a backing track.

It was a less than impressive end to an underwhelming show that proved when it comes to MGMT, hype is still winning out over substance. Anyone forced to pay scalpers fees - tickets were going for three times the price on TradeMe - must surely be disappointed.

With fluffed song intros, a bored stage presence and a running time of just over an hour, it had all the hallmarks of a band not quite comfortable in the glare of the spotlight, and one that is still finding their feet as a live act.

It took half an hour of meandering shoegazing, pointless noodling and a couple of questionable new songs - with only Oracular Spectacular ballad Pieces of What standing out - before the five-piece band connected with Time To Pretend.

The crowd jumped like it was New Year's Eve. Joints were lit. Glowsticks were thrown in the air. Girls were hoisted onto shoulders. Even a guy on crutches got off of his seat for a dance. Fans finally had a reason for being there - not that Goldwasser and VanWyngarden looked that thrilled about it.

The same celebratory atmosphere appeared for the bass-driven Prince boogie of Electric Feel, and the night's highlight - a set-closing extended version of The Handshake with an awesome electronic freak out ending.

But for a band that's supposed to be leading the way for trippy, experimental pop, there wasn't much psychedelia on offer. Perhaps they were missing the light shows, costumes and props that have graced their recent European festival performances.

When their show is stripped back, it feels - along with some of their songs - a little threadbare.

And those nameless newbies - tracks that explored a twee indie-pop direction from a rumoured album called Congratulations, due early next year - only proved just how far ahead of the pack their three massive hits are.

Perhaps the band's guitarist was making a statement when, during Kids, he danced around with a toy gorilla, pretending to play bongo drums and a sampler.

They may feel a little like performing monkeys at the moment, but that's no reason to treat your fans like apes.

* What did you think of the show? Post your comments below.

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