Many thanks to Dave for the following write up from last nights Of Montreal gig in Newport, KY at the Southgate House. No reports of nudity or anything too shocking from Kevin Barnes, but we dont mind.

Seeing a mammoth tour bus in the back of the normally subdued Southgate House was not something I expected for a show by Of Montreal. Nor did I expect a line extending down the steps and out onto the sidewalk, approximately encompassing 200 people. Nor did I expect the show to be sold out. But all three happened, and all three magnify the spectacular level to which Kevin Barnes has taken his and his band’s musical career.

Truly the show was a demonstration in theatrics, as Barnes changed costumes approximately five times, even standing on a ladder during “Gronlandic Edit” to fully complete his insanely colorful outfit. It was also the first time I’ve ever seen wall projections done at Southgate, with random cartoon images being projected onto a giant white curtain behind the band. With a set dominated by songs from the band’s fantastic new album Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?, Barnes and company truly put on an exhibition of imagination, fashion, and fancy fun.

The diverse crowd (everything from frat boys to raging hipsters to sideshow freaks) relayed the same amount of energy, as they danced uncontrollably during a phenomenal rendition of “She’s A Rejector” and show opener “Heimdalsgate Like a Promethean Curse”. That high level of energy lasted throughout the entire set, and I found myself comparing the sound to the great dance-pop of the 1980s (i.e. INXS meets Michael Jackson).

Of Montreal showed an incredible amount of stage presence, the sign of a band that is truly comfortable with each other, their audience, and the spectacle that surrounds them. Truly the show wouldn’t have been the same without it.

Of Montreal – A Sentence Of Sorts In Kongsvinger

Technorati Tags: Of Montreal, Southgate House, Kevin Barnes, Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?