One of the best things about living in Chicago isn’t necessarily the winters but the music that gets fostered, birthed and exploited here. Last night at the Dare 2 Dream benefit for the People’s Music School, we were able to understand why it’s so important for everyone even the underprivileged to receive music education.
The Night started off with AWOLNATION, which sounded like a screamo cajun P.O.D. but surely commanded the entire attention of the venue which is extremely difficult for most opening bands. The California group successfully blended their optimistic good time feel along with some electronic yet tribal like drums. Francis and the Lights followed and clearly tapped into an erotic shoegaze funk completed with a powerful performance that left many of the bros hating it. Probably because Francis was popping it like Beyonce but shaking it around like James Brown. He was the show and clearly commanded the attention of several women in the front row, even made the couple next me all hot and bothered which lead to an eventual dry humping on my leg. Francis and the Lights is modern, funky and fun but far from antique.
Mid show students from the People’s Music School performed MGMT hit song “Kids” to an entire open crowd along with flutes, drums and a crowd clapping along with them. The two tiny singers were able to not only show off why music education is so important, but also how much confidence you can receive from performing. The People’s Music School is the only place in the country where anyone can receive free music education—both learn music theory and receive instrument lessons regardless of income. This show was their tenth benefit, and MGMT along with our two openers not only reenforced the importance of learning how to play an instrument but how love and dedication can create a masterpiece of a performance.
As expected, MGMT brought the house down, with their new sound, new album, new band, but same joie de vivres. It was clear that the progression to their new album Congratulations was not only a seamless one but one that gained them a completely new audience. From the bros, to the crying girl along with the too cool for school and even the punk girl who lit my cigarette. They started our trip down a Transylvanian Pasadena Punk Garage show with Brian Eno which echoed in richness in the guitar and drums and whispered and screamed in a vulnerable tone from Andrew VanWyngarden. Most of the performances were so lavish and some bordered on jam band from “It’s Working” to “Of Moons, Birds and Monsters”but the least successful songs were the crowd favorites “Electric Feel” and “Kids,” which felt outgrown overperformed and slightly rushed. Alas, such is the tension between the audience which would love to listen to the songs that made them fall in love with MGMT. MGMT might have performed and displayed a grandiose sound which will surely be interesting to translate in their performance on Sunday at Lollapalooza. Last night was mature, refined, punk and everything in-between.
Set List:
Brian Eno
Destrokk
Flash Delirium
Electric Feel
Of Moons, Birds and Monsters
It’s Working
The Youth
Song for Dan Treacy
Weekend Wars
I Found a Whistle
Time to Pretend
Siberian Breaks
Kids
Pieces of What
The Handshake
Congratulations
You can learn more and donate to the People’s Music School at http://www.peoplesmusicschool.org/
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