MGMT

MGMT (formed circa 2002)

MGMT are an American alternative pop band based in Brooklyn, New York.

MGMT: Formation

MGMT were originally named Management. The two members, Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWynggarden met in their first year at Wesleyan University. They both shared an interest in similar music and they experimented with noise and electronica before settling into their psychedelic pop sound. Ben and Andrew both graduated from university in 2005 and toured with Of Montreal, promoting their debut EP, 'Time To Pretend'. They toured as a five-piece, with Matthew Asti, James Richardson and Hank Sullivant making up the touring band.

MGMT: Breakthrough

In 2006, MGMT signed to Columbia Records and worked with Dave Fridmann on their debut album proper, Oracular Spectacular. Fridmann had previously worked with The Flaming Lips. The line-up of their touring band changed to James Richardson (guitar), Matthew Asti (bass) and Will Berman (drums)

In January 2008, MGMT played 'Time To Pretend' on The Late Show With David Letterman. As a result, the track shot to number 19 in the American Alternative chart. The track was also featured on Skins in the UK and Gossip Girl in the US.

'Kids' was chosen to feature in a snowboarding movie entitled That's It, That's All, as well as the sixth episode of Survivors on the BBC in 2008.

Also in 2008, MGMT opened for Radiohead in Manchester as part of Radiohead's world tour. In November of that year, MGMT undertook their first headline tour of the UK. They were also selected to play at the highly influential SXSW Music Festival in Austin, Texas. In the summer of 2008, MGMT played a number of festivals, including Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds, Coachella and T In The Park. When they played at the Oxegen festival in Ireland, their performance had to be halted for 20 minutes because their fans began to climb the rigging structure inside the tent. This, however, did not stop the organizers from asking the band to play again in 2009

MIA also selected MGMT to support her when she played Vasser College as part of her 2008 tour and they also opened for Beck on several dates of his tour.