Disclaimer:Ok. Where do I begin?
After what was something of a trial of attempting to get in, I make my way into 930 club by 8pm, and it is PACKED. Fortunately some nice girls that we’ve run into a few times at other shows saved a spot for me. Shawn would usually do that - but, he caught Extra Golden at The Black Cat instead (said it was an awesome show).
Since I was late, I had to SQUEEZE next to a bunch of people who were NOT about to give up their primo-spot… and the only spot I could get was directly in front of Ben, the keyboardists set-up. My view was completely obstructed. :-( And since 9:30club STRICTLY enforces the 3 songs - no flash rule…. I knew shooting was going to be quick tonight.
Of course, MGMT comes on and their lights are so low. Check my settings - it was crazy. The first half of the first song wasn’t even worth shooting! So, I had to do what I hate. I had to just fire off shots on continuous shooting mode in hopes that I would get something. :-( Not at all my style of shooting. To get the keyboards, I had to move (and boy was THAT fun) and shoot from the side of the stage in between some guy’s head and the speakers. It was the best I could do.
I stuck around for a few more songs then left, a bit dissatisfied and frustrated with the night. I’m not at all happy with the pics - but, they’ll have to do.
(p.s. we think they are amazing-ed)
The show was great… until I had to start stiff arming the huge obstruction of an MGMT fan who was trying to start some sort of hipster mosh pit by knocking into my 5′2″ friend. The encore, music wise, was phenomenal. Unfortunately, the front of the crowd where I had been happily enjoying the show, decided it was time for a little reenactment of Beatle-mania and bum rushed the stage.
July 30, 2008 at 12:23 pmIt is a little disarming in DC when people actually move around at a show. I wouldn’t have you, or your friend worry about it too much, though. Things like that don’t happen too often.
July 30, 2008 at 12:35 pmAlso, faith desired, don’t fret. Google helpfully put a digital photography tips link on the side of this page. (for what it’s worth, I enjoy the photographs)
July 30, 2008 at 12:37 pmI saw MGMT in Brooklyn this weekend and they were some snoozers.
July 30, 2008 at 1:48 pmI heard that MGMT’s show at The Black Cat back stage was fantastic! Truthfully, I may have enjoyed that show much more. Smaller venues are ALWAYS better, as they are more personal.
As for the music, the sound was ok - but, I thought their performance a little boring. I really have enjoyed their recorded music, but I go to a lot of shows and I wasn’t too impressed with this one. Again, I left before the end of their set, so can’t give it a fair review. I left after Time to Pretend.
Thanks for the pic compliments - they look nice on here on the layout… pictures always do! :-)
I was totally underwhelmed by the show. It started off good, but the middle made me yawn. A lot. And granted I was probably 10 years older than what seemed like a largely high school-aged crowd, but I’m pretty sure I saw some of them yawning in the middle too. The last encore, however, made the show completely worthwhile.
PS — faithdesired, your pics are MUCH better than mine (http://theantidc.blogspot.com/2008/07/putting-anaeen-in-mgmt.html). If that was a bad night of photo-taking for you, your good nights must be phenomenal.
July 30, 2008 at 4:49 pmMGMT killed at bonnaroo, but were really sterile @ 9:30. I am still confused by this.
July 31, 2008 at 7:36 pmyeah, festival shows aren’t usually a band’s best performance!
July 31, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Great write up on your photographic experience, but no so good write up on the actual show. I know being a photographer and a writer are completely different ends of the potato(e) pun…I mean bun but what gives? I mean based on their outfits I sure it was a grrrreat show. *sign*
July 30, 2008 at 11:55 am