WEEKEND MUSIC: Third time a charm for MGMT?
The band MGMT – coming to play two shows at the Starlite Room Saturday night – may be a classic case of the infamous “sophomore jinx.”
Formed by Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden, who met as students at the private liberal arts college Wesleyan University in Connecticut, the band’s first album won critical and popular acclaim, spawning three hit singles that could be heard everywhere in 2008 – “Time To Pretend,” “Electric Feel”, and “Kid.” Their combination of psychedelia and pure alternative rock won them fans from every corner of the globe. Rolling Stone magazine named MGMT in the “top 10 artists to watch.”
Unfortunately, fandom is fickle, and MGMT’s second album “Congratulations” didn’t do nearly as well. None of its four singles charted to any significant degree anywhere (we could mention the names of the tracks, but trust us, you never heard them), including Canada. MGMT (originally called The Management, worst band name ever) is now touring to support its third album, a self-titled effort, which will be released in June. It’s a critical time. If this album does well, it could elevate this deserving band to a major headliner and festival draw and set them up for at least another three albums. If it doesn’t do well – well, let’s just say we probably won’t see them around these parts again.
Doors for the all-ages show open at 5:30 pm; doors for the 18+ show open at 9:30 pm. Tickets are $45 at Ticketmaster.
Friday
Kirby Sewell Band – This Calgary trio combines blues, rock, gospel, country and soul music into one harmonious sound. Good times. Expressionz Cafe, 6 pm, $26.25 at YEG Live.
Krisiun – This death metal all-brother trio comes all the way from Brazil. Formed back in 1990, the band continues to move and change with the times, their most recent album using only analog gear and instruments to give a more natural feel to their recording. Even amongst death metal bands, they’re known for their blazing tempo and violent lyrics. Arsis and Starkill open. Pawn Shop, 7 pm, $15.
Brandi Carlile – This Seattle singer-songstress performed at the Edmonton Folk Festival in 2011 to a crowd that didn’t know her that well. But they fell in love with her almost instantly, and two years later, she’s playing a sold-out show at Winspear Centre. Her winsome charm and modesty, combined with songwriting talent that comes along only once a generation and a voice equally as stunning, are sure to amaze everyone in attendance. 8 pm. SOLD OUT.
Saturday
Veil Of Maya – It’s one of those weekends where you could easily do a noted metal gig both nights of the weekend, as this Chicago deathcore band assaults your eardrums at Avenue Theatre on Saturday. Founded by drummer Sam Applebaum and guitarist in 2004, they have gone through a significant number of other members over the years. The Contortionist, Glass Cloud, and Beyond the Shore also perform. 6 pm, $22.
Bob Seger – If death metal isn’t your thing, perhaps the most classic of the classic rock is. This legendary musician has been performing since the 1960’s, long before there was such a thing as heavy metal, beginning in 1961 as the frontman for a band called The Decibels. The peak of his success, however, came in the 1970’s and 1980’s with The Silver Bullet Band, an era sparked by one of the best live albums of all-time, according to many – 1975’s “Live Bullet.” That was followed up quickly by “Night Moves”, the title track of which is one of Seger’s best-known songs, along with “Old Time Rock And Roll,” “Rock And Roll Never Forgets”, and “Fire Lake,” all released in that span. The musician took about 10 years off around the turn of the millennium to spend time with his family, during which he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but has toured ever since; the 68-year-old rock legend is even scheduled to release a new album this year. Tickets to his 8 pm show at Rexall Place, with Canadian country-rock singer Dallas Smith opening, are still available for $45 and up through Ticketmaster.
