Review - BCK IN MTL w/ MGMT

Let me set the stage; a concert hall, 2000 seats, and anticipation that filled the air. With all the hype surrounding the show, the audience was thirsty for a Beck fix. Montreal is known for its love of all things Beck, so you can be sure this show was sold out before it went on sale. Luckily, I discovered this interweb classified site by the name of Kijiji. Moreso, the seller only asked for face value since she had made a mistake in ordering 4 tickets as opposed to 2.

MGMT did their thing in warming up the crowd. These guys sound great live, but lack the show aspect. I know they'll learn a thing or two from Mr. Hansen.

Beck's set speaks for itself. It was a good mix of old and new and Beck proved that truly has fun playing. Opening with "Loser" set the night off in style. Not a person was left seated after the first note. 25 song sets are rare, but he pulled it off with ease. In an act of appreciation, he invited the MGMT boys back at the end of his set for 2 covers and "Where it's At". The encore had everyone humming, whistling or singing "NA, NA, nanana NA!" out the door.

Setlist:

Loser
Nausea
Girl
Timebomb
Devil's Haircut
Soul of a Man
Mixed Bizness
Nicotine & Gravy
Guero
Hell Yes
Black Tambourine
Think I'm In Love
Modern Guilt
Orphans
Walls
Missing
Chemtrails
Lost Cause
The 15th (by Wire, cover)
Planet Queen (T.Rex, cover)
The Wind Cries Mary (Jimi Hendrix, cover)
Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat (Bob Dylan, cover)
Where It's At
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ENCORE:
Gamma Ray
E-Pro

Beck - Gamma Ray

Remix Sunday: This Bird Has Flown

Andrew Bird's Armchair Apocrypha was one of my favourite 2007 albums, so I was naturally pleased to discover that our fine feathered friend has recently made an EP of rarities (odds and ends, really) available on his European tour. The EP's 8 songs include early/alternate versions of tracks from last year's album, compilation contributions, a live cut, a new track and a Bob Dylan cover. Get your hands on a copy if you can.

Andrew Bird - Plasticities (Alternate Mix)
Andrew Bird - Oh Sister (Bob Dylan Cover)
bonus:
Andrew Bird - Imitosis (Four Tet Remix)
Andrew Bird - Fiery Crash (live)

- a.m.p.m.