They Might Be Giants in Atlanta, GA

Once again I am hijacking my art-centric blog to post personal pictures and ramblings instead of art. Will you accept my insincere apologies if you were hoping for new art this time? Thanks. Last night, May 3, 2006, I went with my friend Richard to see the incomparable They Might Be Giants performing live at the Variety Playhouse in Atlanta, GA. And what a show it was. I am not normally much of one to get terribly excited about going to concerts, but there are a few exceptions, and I'm prone to geek out over those exceptions just like I geek out over any of my other geeky interests. And since TMBG is one of said exceptions....please pardon me while I geek out for a bit.

This was my second time to see TMBG live, and both were great shows, though the first one took place only shortly after I'd first been introduced to the band, so I naturally was able to better appreciate this show, now that I've had a couple of years to develop into a full-fledged fan.

The opening act was Michael Leviton, who performed most of his set accompanied by only his ukulele. (That's right. Ukulele). I was completely unfamiliar with Leviton before this, but I was entertained by his show. Most of his songs were extremely cynical-yet-humorous takes on love and relationships. Basically the sort of lyrics that would come out of me if lyrics were ever inclined to come out of me (which, probably fortunately, they aren't). For the last part of his set, Leviton was joined on stage by the lovely Leah Hayes.

Then, of course, came TMBG. Equally gifted in talent, showmanship, and the art of witty banter, frontmen John Flansburgh and John Linnell most certainly know how to entertain. (The other three members of the band, Dan Miller, Danny Weinkauf, and Marty Beller are equally skilled.) I'm not going to bother going into songs that were highlights for me, as that applies to almost all of the ones they did. Having now experienced a show both as a newcomer and as a fan, I honestly believe that absolutely anyone (who doesn't have an unfortunately narrow taste in music) can have a great time at a TMBG show.

An unexpected treat (well, unbilled, but not entirely unexpected, since it happened last time they were in Atlanta) was a special appearance by Strongbad from homestarrunner.com in the form of a puppet. Being as I quite love the Homestar Runner gang, I was made very happy by this turn of events. It turns out you haven't really lived until you've watched two grown men trade banter and sing songs with a surly puppet in a Mexican wrestling mask.

At the end of the show, as is common, Flansburgh stuck around to sign autographs and take pictures with some of the fans. What a swell fellow. And that was that. Now I guess I wait until the next time they come near the area.

Below you will find text links to all of my pictures (worth using), in chronological order (inclduing repeats of the few samples above). Enjoy!
--Andrew
Michael Leviton and Leah Hayes.
Another picture of Michael Leviton and Leah Hayes.
Alphabet of Nations
Zimbabweeeeeee!
Linnell with accordian.
Flansburgh with guitar.
The band.
The band again.
Flans on guitar.
Strongbad makes his appearance.
Flans tries to talk Strongbad down.
Linnell takes a picture of Flans trying to talk Strongbad down.
More of the band.
Flans and Linnell.
Blurry Flans and Linnell
Linnell
Still more Linnell
I think this is a rather funny picture.
Flans.
Why Does the Sun Shine?.
More accordian action.
The band...again.
The...what? The band.
The band...yes...once more.
Flans.
Linnell and Marty Beller getting rather..."funky".
Flansburgh meets Andrew.
Signed Venues DVD.
Signed "The Spine" booklet.