All photos by Zach Putnam
Indie music legends They Might Be Giants turned the Crystal Ballroom into a sold-out singalong for three nights straight last weekend, delivering a masterclass in nostalgia, musicianship, and sheer oddball joy. Playing to packed crowds each night, the band performed two full sets (plus two encores) and centered each show around a different album from their extensive catalog: Mink Car on night one, John Henry on night two, and Apollo 18 on night three.
The result was more than a concert, it was a three-night love letter to long-time fans, many of whom came from out of town and attended all three shows. The multi-generational crowd belted out the lyrics like it was 1992 again, even if they were not yet born at that time. The two Johns — Flansburgh and Linnell — were in top form, trading razor-sharp banter and guiding the audience through a show that somehow felt both perfectly choreographed and completely off-the-cuff.
The setlists were thoughtfully constructed and they didn’t just play the hits; they gave each record its due, dusting off deep cuts with reverence and energy. In addition to the album deep dives, each night they played songs from many other albums in their vast library. Highlights included the joyous chaos of “Doctor Worm,” the pounding pulse of “Snail Shell,” and of course the perpetual crowd-pleasers, their two biggest hits, “Istanbul (Not Constantinople)” and “Birdhouse in Your Soul”. The band’s trademark oddball humor, tight arrangements, and sheer stamina left no doubt: TMBG are still at the top of the geek rock game.
-Zach Putnam
IG: @zachputnam
