Animal Collective at The Wilma: 5 Things You Might See
Avant-pop innovators, Animal Collective, are set to perform June 28th at The Wilma. The incredibly unique group is defined by fluid membership and breaks in their sonic aesthetic from album to album: a good option for fans of shows like The Shins, Fleet Foxes, and Yeasayer. While audiences should always expect the unexpected with Animal Collective, the following five elements represent good speculations on expectations:
1. Music from Painting With…
Released in February 2016, Animal Collective’s set lists from the tour reveal heavy focus on the latest album. The album is reportedly inspired by The Ramones. For Animal Collective this comparison means jacked-up tempos, escaping the seas of reverb from previous albums and shortening song lengths. That said, the album is still highly experimental: featuring Golden Girls samples and the Velvet Underground’s John Cale
2. The Band: Avey Tare, Panda Bear, and Geologist
Painting With was recorded at EastWest studios by David Portner (Avey Tare), Noah Lennox (Panda Bear), and Brian Weitz (Geologist).
Note: live performances are usually accompanied by a drummer
For those unfamiliar with the artists, all three members are cofounders of the group. Baltimore-based, the trio offer versatility in their instrumentation. Portner and Lennox tend to represent the main vocalists, leaving soundscape creation to Weitz. However, all three musicians perform behind their station of analog synthesizers and keyboards.
3. Openers Doubling as Collaborators
The Wilma will welcome Eyvind Kang and Jessika Kenney as openers on June 28th. The two artists are working with David Portner on Eucalyptus, an electroacoustic side project of the AC co-founder. Angel Deradoorian is also on board for the project. She was previously a member of Dirty Projectors and is a current member of Slasher Flicks (another Tare project).
4. Outrageously Colorful Stage Design
Abbey Portner has been labeled the groups “art lady.” In a recent interview with Vice’s Creators she discussed impressionistic motives behind the stage design for the tour. Portner discussed the overarching theme…
“idea of Dada and art history and the video’s colors and how it is constantly changing, moving, and melting on-stage hopefully will take people into a different head-space and journey every night”
The above video shows some of the mapping, the art associated with this album is largely based on Dadaism, stop-motion, psychedelic Danish kids’ shows, and collage work. She claims that during the show, the stage will feel ‘more homemade.”
5. Things will get “Kinda Bonkers”
High energy visionaries through and through, the music and atmosphere will stand as a testament to Keeping Missoula Weird. Tickets are available online, over the phone at 877-987-6487, or at The Top Hat’s box office in downtown Missoula.
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Jul 14: Tiny Plastic Stars (The Top Hat)
Aug 22: Cuddle Maggic (Opener for Lake Street Dive at The Wilma)
Oct 11: Future Islands (The Wilma)