Review: MTV2 Spanking New Music Tour Part 2

May 8 2008 by Michael Took, Western Mail

IN the second of two separate shows in the capital, the MTV2 Spanking New Music Tour took a more dance-orientated turn with New York psych-rock duo MGMT kicking off proceedings.

Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden glided through their latest album, Oracular Spectacular, with tracks swirling effortlessly into one another. The salacious funk of Electric Feel doubled up into the psychedelic wig-out of single Time To Pretend – a monstrous tune that narrates the duo’s dream of living the hedonist lifestyle.

Pos-punk revivalists The Futureheads followed with rollicking opener Decent Days Decent Nights signalling what was to follow – agitated guitar work-outs that barely bruised the three-minute mark.

Lead singer Barry Hyde was as animated as ever.

The collective movement was a lot more sweaty than Hyde expected as Skip To The End ushered in the first pogo session of the night. The band’s new album, This Is Not The World, follows the same statement-waving template as previous efforts but Radio Heart hinted at a more expansive sound.

The set ended with the hyper reworking of Kate Bush’s Hounds Of Love as a series of uncontrollable yelps flittered across the crowd.

After the recent departure of former bassist Iracema Trevisan, it was interesting to see how Brazilian funk-punks CSS would adapt to the change in personnel.

Vocalist Lovefoxxx pounced onto the stage in her signature spray-on outfit and a floral hat that dwarfed her minuscule frame. The band motored through tracks from their forthcoming album, Donkey, with recent single Rat Is Dead (Rage).

The woozy Off The Hook showcased the band at their most sedate until Alala turned the venue into a full-on South American rave. Their encore began with Alcohol rolling into brilliant set-closer, Let’s Make Love And Listen To Death From Above, a fine indie-dance crossover tune that sent the crowd into meltdown one last time.

Highlights from the MTV Spanking New Music Tour will be on MTV2 from May 30. Reviewed by Michael Took