MGMT (formed circa 2002) MGMT are an American alternative pop band based in Brooklyn, New York.
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.
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.
Biography by Contactmusic.com
Glastonbury Festival Sophie Ellis-Bextor Speech Debelle Fatboy Slim Keith Allen Blondie Yoko Ono The Brian Jonestown Massacre MGMT
We root around the line-up and take a look at the acts that may not have stood out on first view.
Part of Glastonbury’s enduring reputation is its propensity for composing a line-up that is extensive that a wealth of acts will pass by unnoticed. We’ve sieved through the thousands of acts who will be making the trip to Worthy Farm to highlight ten acts whose inclusion in the festival bill may surprise many. Sifting through the lower rungs of the bill uncovers a slew of rising stars and forgotten flames, those who are on the ascension to the upper levels of cultural recognition as well as those whose days of glory are far behind them.
Metallica will be this years most controversial performers. Photo: Getty Images, Credit: Frazer Harrison
Beyond the endless stretch of humans eyeing up the pyramid stage with binoculars are copious tents and smaller stages which host a myriad of curiosities, from fading pop stars regurgitating their hit songs for the umpteenth time to all manner of odd theatrics, spoken word performances, comedians, circus performances and Happy Monday’s hype-man Bez, who has this year been granted his very own ‘Acid House’ stage. Here then, are ten acts who to varying degrees will surprise festival goers with their very presence at the culturally sacred Somerset site:
Continue reading: 10 Acts You Had No Idea Were Playing Glastonbury
Posted on08 November 2013
Yeah Yeah Yeahs My Bloody Valentine Deerhunter Devendra Banhart Foxygen Holy Ghost! Kurt Vile Les Savy Fav MGMT Toro Y Moi Yo La Tengo Brett Gelman Rob Huebel Paul Scheer
FYF Fest 2013 presents yet more new acts for its 10th annual weekend this August including comedians Doug Benson, Brett Gelman and Karen Kilgariff.
FYF is an alternative music festival spread over two days - this year, August 25th and 26th - at the LA State Historic Park. This summer we'll see no doubt spectacular headline sets from New Yorkers the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Dublin rockers My Bloody Valentine, as well as performances from MGMT, Devendra Banhart, Les Savy Fav, Holy Ghost!, Deerhunter, New Jersey's Yo La Tengo, chillwave producer Toro Y Moi, the chart hitting Kurt Vile & the Violators and Californian duo Foxygen.
Just announced are some equally brilliant comedy acts (as if you weren't going to have a massive laugh anyway) from the likes of 'Home Movies' writer Brendon Small, 'The League' star Paul Scheer with Rob Huebel, 'Eagleheart' comedian Brett Gelman and former 'Last Comic Standing' contestant Doug Benson.
Continue reading: FYF Fest 2013 Announces More Live Acts For August!
The Late Night Tales concept is simple - Artists are asked to put together a collection of tracks that represent their own late night selection. Snow Patrol, Jamiroquai, and The Flaming Lips are just a few of the artists who were chosen and now MGMT follow in their footsteps to make the 25th compilation.
Like spilling the minds of the MGMT duo into a compilation, it's a rare insight into what their own work may have stemmed from.
It's not a particularly upbeat selection but that's what Late Night Tales is all about. That time of the day when you have free time to think and get lost in your own thoughts with.
Perhaps the most enjoyable feature here is the seamless blur between genres. MGMT themselves are a mixture of sounds and concepts, so it comes as no surprise to hear such a mix. What could be classed as alternative rock, shoegaze, and a bit of folk run throughout an eighteen track MGMT experience.
With highlights such as 'Pink Frost' by The Chills, and 'Lord Can You Hear Me' from Spacemen 3, this compilation combines tracks you will not hear all in one place anywhere else.
There is of course the trademark cover track, and spoken word to complete the Late Night Tales template. MGMT chose a Bauhaus cover of 'All We Ever Wanted Was Everything'. This edition is yet another take on musical tastes and influences. In some senses beautiful, and others sombre, it certainly fulfils the initial task.
Laura Johnstone
Having released one of 2008's most critically acclaimed and commercially successful albums in 'Oracular Spectacular', it seemed like MGMT could do no wrong, no matter how hard they tried. While there was no doubting their pop sensibility and ear for an incessant hook, delve into the deepest recesses of 'Oracular Spectacular' and it soon became clear MGMT weren't just your average radio friendly combo. 'The Handshake' or 'Of Moons, Birds And Monsters' gave some indication as to where their thought processes were really at while early b-side 'Destrokk' displayed a more esoteric tendency than many had given them credit for, even in their most embryonic stages.
Continue reading: MGMT, Congratulations Album Review
Live review of MGMT at Nottingham Rock City, Thursday 6th November 2008.
Continue reading: MGMT, Nottingham Rock City Live Review
MGMT
Oracular Spectacular
Columbia Records
Album Review
Continue reading: MGMT, Oracular Spectacular Album Review
