Of Montreal brings ‘oddball’ music, theatrical show to Music Farm

Of Montreal frontman Kevin Barnes likes looking out at the “weirdos” that often make up the crowds at his concerts.

“I’m always happy to look out in the audience and … see, ‘Wow, these are the weirdos of the town and they all came to the show,” Barnes said. “It gives me a feeling that makes me feel positive about the world and about the country.”

The weirdos of Columbia will converge on the Music Farm on Friday to see Of Montreal, Barnes’ psychedelic, experimental, “oddball” indie pop. The prolific Athens, Ga.-based band is on the road promoting their 13th studio album, “Aureate Gloom.” Barnes said the album was inspired by the New York punk scene of the 1970s.

“I was listening to a lot of Television and the Voidoids and Patti Smith and sort of romanticizing that time period ... and the nascent punk scene,” Barnes said. “I went out to New York and was living there for a couple weeks and wandering around and romanticizing my surroundings and writing songs.”

Listeners can detect hints of The Ramones and The Kinks throughout the 10 tracks, but the band still retains its signature sound, defined by Barnes’ distinctive, slightly nasal voice that fluctuates between a soft sigh and a whining, energetic yelp reminiscent of Dave Davies and Joey Ramone.

The band’s discography, including “Aureate Gloom” turns into immersive performance art when put on stage. Of Montreal and Barnes are known for theatrical performances reflecting the funk, glam and vaudeville influences of their music. They use projections of intricate, psychedelic images over the band as they play. Recent Instagram posts of Of Montreal’s concerts show giant three dimensional skeletons and dancers dressed in Spandex and poodle masks.

“It’s not just the band going on and playing 10 songs ... It’s really a heavy art production. There are really transformative visual things happening on stage. It’s a very dense presentation,” Barnes said. “It’s cinematic and dreamlike and exciting.”

The theatrics are matched by the band’s skill. The band’s current members also performed the instrumentals on Of Montreal’s last two studio albums; for the previous 11, Barnes played every instrument on the band’s records. Now touring with the four artists he records with, Barnes is comfortable straying from the planned set list and throwing in impromptu covers.

“We mix things up whenever we want to,” Barnes said. “The band is so skilled. Everyone in the band can pretty much play anything I throw at them.”

If you go Of Montreal plays the Music Farm on Friday, May 15. Doors open at 8 p.m. and the show starts at 9 p.m. with opening band Ikky Blossoms. Tickets cost $15 and can be purchased at the Music Farm box office or at musicfarm.com

Amanda C. Coyne

This story was originally published May 13, 2015 at 11:08 AM with the headline "Of Montreal brings ‘oddball’ music, theatrical show to Music Farm."