Georgia alt-rock sextet Of Montreal played to a hesitant U Street Music Hall crowd on Oct. 24.
Despite the energy from the band, which is headed by vocalist and instrumentalist Kevin Barnes, many of the concert-goers talked during slower songs in the show such as “Imbecile Rages” and “Colossus.” The effort the Of Montreal troupe barely shuffled the audience with more upbeat songs like “She Ain’t Speakin’ Now” and fan-favorite “Wraith Pinned to the Mist and Other Games.”
However, the lackluster crowd did not deter the exciting Barnes and company from maintaining a meaningful and psychedelic performance.
Throughout the latter half of the performance, three figures shrouded in white garb meandered between vocalist and guitarist Rebecca Cash, Barnes and other members. After the ghost-like figures disappeared, Barnes opted to perform without a shirt and donned a white shroud as well.
The mystery and camp continued as a white spandex-clad figure with a white mask stood behind Barnes while shaking his head and waving his index finger. It was clear that the white outfits and shaming were a metaphor, but the meaning was lost between the conversations that overcame the music
One of the last songs Of Montreal played was “She Ain’t Speakin’ Now.” The low-energy crowd bounced a small white balloon for five minutes until it fell to the ground, during the song.
No matter how much effort Of Montreal put into their performance, the crowd could not pick up the vibe and seemed uninterested.
