Of Montreal drummer Jamey Huggins’ side project “James Husband” opened the show, with several other Of Montreal members helping him out. The sold out crowd was into it, but went crazy when Of Montreal started in earnest. And the show went crazy right back. I’d been warned about the theatrics that accompany an Of Montreal performance, but wasn’t completely ready for what I witnessed: a fist fight between farm animals and a lion (the lion won), a feather cannon, and the crucifixion of Kevin Barnes, just to name a few. Oh, and the music was good too. Truly, surprisingly gritty, re-imagined versions of Of Montreal favorites kept people interested, and left me liking their music more than I had when I got there. The night ended with a seemingly unanimous sing-along of the Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back”, and everyone picking feathers out of their hair.
Words and Pictures by Zach Schwartz