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They Might Be Giants on Tour
They Might Be Giants have been playing together since 1982 — and writing their playful, witty songs as a duo even longer — so the band's onstage chemistry isn't in question. Hearing the Johns (John Flansburgh and John Linnell) banter between songs is a treat in and of itself, but the real spectacle is witnessing their mind meld as they pull lyrically and musically knotty cuts from their catalog of a few dozen albums, EPs and compilations. Although the Johns started out as a pair backed by drum machine and prerecorded cassette, they've been a band since the '90s and are currently backed by longtime members Dan Miller on guitar, Danny Weinkauf on bass and Marty Beller on drums. They're just as likely to go into a stormy Middle Eastern inspired rock-out during their famous version of "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)," as to strip back to acoustic guitar (Flansburgh) and baritone sax (Linnell) for the morbid fan favorite "Older." And with a large oeuvre including kids' songs (they won a Grammy for 2008's Here Come the 123s) and film and TV themes (they won another Grammy for Malcolm in the Middle's "Boss of Me"), TMBG have limitless ways to delight and surprise an audience.
They Might Be Giants in Concert
John Flansburgh and John Linnell met as teens growing up in Lincoln, Massachusetts, and began writing songs together in high school. They parted ways for college, but reunited in Brooklyn in 1981 when (somewhat by design) they moved into the same apartment building on the same day. Thus began an incredibly fruitful and truly creative career in music. As They Might Be Giants gained a local fandom for their atypical instruments and unusual subject matter — their synthy 1986 self-titled debut included songs called "(She Was A) Hotel Detective" and "Youth Culture Killed My Dog" — they also experimented with distribution methods. For years, they used local newspapers to advertise a phone number that would greet callers with new songs and fake ads. That answering machine service, dubbed Dial-A-Song, foreshadowed their pioneering use of the internet. TMBG released the first MP3-only album in 1999, and began podcasting in 2005. They also found early success in film and TV after signing with Elektra in 1989 and seeing their 1990 LP Flood go platinum thanks to their MTV-supported single "Birdhouse in Your Soul." Their cover of the Four Lads' "Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" wound up getting animated for Steven Spielberg's Tiny Toon Adventures along with "Particle Man," and they subsequently wrote or performed songs for Malcolm in the Middle, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, Dexter's Laboratory and more. TMBG were even Tony-nominated for their work on SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical. Beginning in 2002 with the album No!, the Johns found success writing children's music and have interspersed their regular flow of rock-oriented albums with family fare. They Might Be Giants continue to be remarkably prolific, releasing three albums in 2018 alone: I Like Fun, My Murdered Remains and The Escape Team.
This show was lively, funny, and virtuosic, but one can expect no less from the Johns and the band! From their newest album “I Like Fun” back to their classics, every song was crisp and fresh, and the banter relaxed and genuinely amusing. Can’t wait for their return!
A great show by TMBG. All great musicians, especially the horn player. A solid mix of newer stuff and familiar tunes. Very generous with in intermission and extended second half. This was their last show of a 50 date tour, and they were in top form.
I've been to the TLA before and love it because it's small enough that where ever you stand it's a good view, but this time there was no a/c or fans or anything and it felt like it was about 90 degrees in there. But the band was incredible!
So absolutely unbelievable. Seeing them in concert felt so good and fun. They're such a party.
Greatest show ever, and I am not being sarcastic. There's only two shows in me and I just saw the third.
Take 2 friends, add two beers. Mix with a healthy portion of the They Might Be Giants show. Dance. Fun. Repeat if you can! Oh, I don't know. You must be thinking of some other band.
Love that they talk to the aidience. Great and long show. Top notch. Its like they have been playing together for 30 years or something. Lol
I always love seeing TMBG - their live energy and sound is the best! They played 2 sets of hits and deeper cuts (as well as a few new songs) and brought it all show long. My companion had never seen Them live and left the show a new fan.
I have attended several They Might Be Giants concerts and they have never delivered a disappointing show, despite the narrative they joking encourage via Instagram. They are very engaged with their audience and pepper their performance with the trademark humor that has endeared them to their fans for decades. Whether it is their most beloved classics or a track from their newest album, every song is an absolute delight. I highly recommend this show to all!
The show was good and they played some good songs. A double set so well the opener was uh awesome
Liked their old stuff. A lot of dull songs and children’s music. They did two sets. Should’ve stick to one (of their adult stuff). We left halfway through the second set is was so boring.
They Might Be Giants were great. We would definitely go to the venue again to see bands that we want to see. The venue was much much nicer than the last time we were there almost 10 years ago.
John and John were brilliant as always, and the trumpet was amazing.
Good venue, especially since Pepsi was served, fantastic music and performers!!
They Might Be Giants put on a great show. They did two sets and two encores!
Awesome sound, excellent show, good mix of songs and great energy for the show in STL. Light show was fun and the band was tight, but loose and funny like usual. Like the 2 'Act' idea for more time with the band.
I've been a fan of TMBG since the early 90's and have attended quite a few shows. Their performance Friday night was one of the BEST!! They kept the crowd entertained from beginning to end. I loved hearing so many classics as well as new jams. Thanks for takin' this old dog for a ride down memory lane!! Until next time...
It had been maybe 12 years or so since I'd seen the Giants and there was no disappointment at all! TMBG are still quite relevant in 2018, as evidenced by the packed house and age span of the crowd. College kids sang along to oldies and rarities and older folks who hooked into these guys in the '80s recognized the newer stuff. John & John were their usual amusing selves, and the band they've assembled is absolutely fantastic. This show also featured horn player Curt Ramm, whose trumpet nearly stole the night. Fan-freaking-tastic! Not even a water bottle accident on John F.'s gear could detour things, although you could tell he was pretty pissed about it. Note: This show is for ages 14+ and we were able to take our kids, who recognized enough of the songs to have a great time. Even the younger one who isn't quite into them dug it enough to say, "I love that kind of band." The set list covered a lot of ground, and while there were certainly songs I'd hoped to hear but didn't, I can't blame them. They touched on most of the 20 albums they've released in this 2-set show, played seemingly all of whatever folks might consider their "hits," introduced cool new arrangements on some, and had a nice little video spoof (someone else's) to open the 2nd set. No spoiler here, but if you're old enough to remember the original you'll get the joke.
The show was incredible. We were directly underneath John Linnell's keyboard and got wonderful pictures of him. They are funny and their music is wonderful. I can't gush enough about how much I love this band and their performances.
Small venue made the show amazing. Such a Great night. Totally unexpected and magical.
