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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.
Band, music and sound were great...when they shine stage lights into the crowd, not good...and who wants to stand 2 hours for a show? Not this aging fan...Tell the Murat/Egyptian Room to get some folding chairs!
The show was unexpectedly humorous and the musical performance was expectedly wonderful! Both John's are very at ease with the audience and the accompanying band was superb! The new songs are great and the old songs were done perfectly! They have been one of my favorites for decades and will remain so for as long as I draw breath!
TMGB gave more than just a concert — it was a comedy show. They always had something funny to say every few songs, and they even sang one of their songs backwards. I’m not a huge fan or anything — but that was one of the best shows I’ve ever been to. They had excellent crowd interaction, played great music, and overall just gave an awesome show.
We love They Might Be Giants and loved their revisit of the songs from The Flood album. Their horn section rocked, particularly that amazing trumpet player! The backwards song was really interesting. Overall, the band worked hard and we loved it! Something seemed off with some of the audio. There were a bunch of times that the music just felt muddy. Not just a poor mix, like the vocals not being present enough, but just a poor sound. The VIP room was interesting. There wasn't much to it? It's a nice refuge to get away from the crowds, have somewhere to sit before the show and during the intermission, and a shorter line for the bathroom. Worth it, perhaps, for my creaking joints.
Worth the drive from Michigan. Maybe -- if I had a better car, perhaps a mink one. TMBG is one of my favorite bands. Unfortunately they are so good, their shows are always packed.
They Might Be Giants delivered a fantastic show in Indianapolis. We had seats in the raised area and our view was perfect.
TMBG is still putting their heart into their music! Smart, thoughtful, beautiful and experimental songs and really impressive musicianship. No surprise that this band brings out fans from 16 to 70 years old
They Might Be Giants puts on the best show! This was my first time seeing them live and I'll definitely see them again at the next opportunity. I love this band so much!
Sounded good, classic Flood album songs plus more. The horns were great!
I love TMBG. This review isn’t about them. The five songs I kind of saw were great. The venue was over sold and so crowded I was pushed against a wall until I just couldn’t stay anymore and we left. I have waited since high school to see this band and I only saw five songs.
Amazing concert, the horn section was such a treat.
Amazing band, amazing crowd (for the most part) having the three Horn brothers in addition to the band made for an exceptionally enjoyable entertaining evening. If you can get a ticket see this band.
TMBG is always a great show. John and John interact frequently with the audience, and make sure to show the love, as well as their supporting musicians. They played the entire “Flood” album, which was my intro into the wonderful world of They Might Be Giants, so it had special place for me. So glad I went!
The John's and their band were absolutely outstanding. The variety, the humor, the required rounds of applause for the horn section made this show as energetic and vibrant as when I first saw them in the '90's.
the show was magical. these guys continue to vibrate on a whole different level than most.
These guys still put on a really fun show. They played a ton of songs. The band sounded great. A really good time.
Go. Get your tickets now. Seriously. I'd only heard of one TMBG song before going to the concert. I did not hear that song. Still had an amazing time. I almost wanted to drive to Orlando to see the next show.
Great first set. Flood in its entirety. Second set wasn't bad but was disappointed that not a single song off Lincoln was played. Not even in the encore.
Big fan of TMBG since the 80's!! First time ever seeing them in concert and such a great venue to experience this mind blowing group. Unbelievable horn section along with the rest of the group!! The audience was such a diverse group of people which made the experience so very appealing. Would see them again!!....Two boys from Brooklyn!!!....who would of thunk. Can't go back to Istanbul!!
really wonderful soldout show. very good mood within the audience and among the band. high energy with fun visual effects. they still pack a lot of punch for a lighthearted group.
