Athens, Georgia, band Of Montreal boasts quite a stylistic range over the course of their 10 albums. But from the group’s early, straightforward psychedelia to their mid-career glam-funk frenzy to their most recent turn to exuberant, dance-oriented pop, a few mainstays have been the driving force: frontman Kevin Barnes’ buoyant harmonies, overtly descriptive lyrics, and hypersexual appearance. The man’s got panache.
On stage, Barnes plays the self-absorbed hero of a colorful, dystopian world played out through theatrical performances, typically guiding both band and audience through career highlights, crowd-pleasing without fail. Dive into an Of Montreal album and you’ll find plenty of material to deconstruct, but Barnes has succeeded in crafting those layers with a large dose of immediacy. He’s built an empire that jumps straight from his creative brain to the stage. Of Montreal plays Minglewood Hall on Thursday, May 19th, with Painted Palms. Showtime is 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and $22 at the door.
