The indie pop spawn of Athens, Ga.’s renowned Elephant 6 Collective, Of Montreal has garnered quite the rep much to the credit of lead singer, visionary and frontman Kevin Barnes, who writes the music solo before bringing it to the band. His lyrics are funny, evocative and intellectual, and are set against colorful synth-pop with a marked funk-and-soul swagger. The band is known for putting on full-scale outrageously theatric stage shows that border on absolute spectacle and the current tour is no exception. Blasts of confetti, bright lights, stage performers enacting bizarre scenes and scenarios, Barnes slipping in and out of flamboyant costumes on an almost continuous basis, and a faux-gallows complete with a Barnes execution. All of it goes quite well with the explosive bursts of music, this tour rife with tunes from the band's latest, Skeletal Lamping. For more on that album, click here. Popular Brooklyn indie rock duo The Fiery Furnaces provide support for all Of Montreal's Florida dates. Of Montreal w/The Fiery Furnaces, Mon., Dec. 8, 7 p.m., The Ritz Ybor, Tampa, $17; and Tues., Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m., House of Blues, Orlando, $17.50.
This article appears in Dec 3-9, 2008.
