Oxegen 09 - Of Montreal
Red Bull Music Academy, Sunday 12th July, 8:05pm
Describe in a Tweet: Like a prince from a strange twisted fairy-tale, Kevin Barnes commands the stage as his own little universe.
What Happened: The tent is packed and it's plainly obvious Of Montreal could nicely fill a much bigger stage. And it's with good reason people have flocked to see this theatrical psych-pop troupe.
Lead singer Kevin Barnes looks like a prince, while the cross dressing guitarist has a pink feather boa/wing contraption on his shoulders. This is a show regardless of the music. They have dancers in pig masks, disco ninja outfits and strange leotards joining in every few songs to add to the weird and wonderful presence on stage already. Barnes even steps back at times to give the dancers centre stage. And it works, even if I have no idea what is going on up there.
The music itself is such freakish pop that you can't help but smile. 'Chemicals' has the crowd screaming their lungs out while nobody was left standing still for 'A Sentence of Sorts in Kongsvinger". The only problem I had was the sound at points. But there where enough theatrics to keep you pleased.
This is a High: It's gotta be the men in the 'half leotards' - one arm/one leg free to the world.
This is a Low: The annoying guys trying to push their way to the front for "free water".
Oxegen Rating: 7/10
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