Of Montreal at Lincoln Hall 9/9/2023

Of Montreal are an indie and psych-pop outfit that have been active since 1996. Originally hailing from Athens, Georgia this beloved band emerged from the mid 90's "Elephant Six" DIY music collective, consisting of bands like Olivia Tremor Control, Elf Power, and most famously, Neutral Milk Hotel. Fronted by lead singer Kevin Barnes (not the football player), Of Montreal has had multiple transformations over the course of their storied 27-year career with such beloved albums as Satanic Panic in the Attic (2004), Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer? (2007), and more recently Ur Fun (2020).

Jane and I were lucky enough to catch their show at Lincoln Hall and I can confidently say we were both blown away. Being more familiar with their older material, I expected a standard indie rock experience and was shocked when the show began with two masked figures running out on stage and giving an impassioned speech about some kind of impending sexual revolution. After the two dancers left the stage, Kevin and company came out and the venue exploded into psychedelic dance-pop bliss.

Being more familiar with Of Montreal's earlier work I was in no way prepared for this setlist to have so many throwback dance tracks and 80s bass. When walking into this concert, I was expecting the sounds of the slightly left field indie music of their early work and was pleasantly surprised to see that they had a variety of songs from all over their discography. Tracks from their newest album the lovingly titled Freewave Lucifer f<ck f​^​ck f>ck (2023) were played alongside songs going as far back as their first album Cherry Peel (1997). No matter how old or new songs were their loyal fans knew every single word.

The setlist opened with the song Peace to All Freaks which is honestly the only way I can imagine a show as unique as this one to begin. Of Montreal is a band for freaks in the best way possible. The band has always promoted openness to identities and sexualities that have often been marginalized by greater society and allowing a safe space for people to be as weird and open as they please while also playing some catchy pop music is truly a sight for sore eyes. Go see Of Montreal live please and tell them Jane and Townes told you to (don't do this).