Rock The Garden 2010

If there were ever a concert that I was more destined to go to, it was Rock the Garden 2010. Only members were allowed to buy tickets the first week or so. Naturally, it sold out within that first week. Tragedy for MGMT fans such as Matt and myself; we were going to purchase tickets the second they were available for the public. No such chance was given. Then, a miracle happened. A teammate of my fall ultimate team had two extra tickets.


Onward, ho, to Rock The Garden!

It was quite an adventure just getting to the Sculpture Garden; from deaf men trying to sign to me or bumping into various hipsters, but nothing unlike the typical commute through Uptown.

We arrive and were channeled through various gates and winding hallways until we found ourselves back outside but with every sense being rapidly used. First sense, which was the most crucial for this day, was hearing. They were blasting Grizzly Bear! It was a sign for a good day in my books. We ventured around in hopes of finding free stuff at various booths but were dismayed when we realized that none of it was free. Except one: Meet and greet with OK Go. The more and more I think about this, the more it blows my mind. We shook their hands and exchanged names; I tried hard to replay their names in my name over and over in hopes of not forgetting them. I turned to Tim, the bassist, and asked him why he was wearing a full suit, pants, jacket and hat. He looked extremely out-of-place. He replied about how it was cold in the morning but seemed a bit annoyed by the question, as if he had been asked by every fan that entered that booth. Well, rightfully so, he looked like he was, "melting like a snow cone in Phoenix."

We then sat for what seemed like hours before the music started. We arrived at 3, music did not start until 415.


Right on cue at 415, Retribution Gospel Choir took the stage. FINALLY!


I knew very little about this band other than that they were from Duluth and that they were supposedly a metal band. I was not sure what to expect. But my initial reaction: each song seemed to blend together and they had very little stage presence. They seemed nervous. Their lead singer/guitarist, seemed to channel what little stage presence or interesting quality their band had (unless you count the drummer's long, distracting brown hair), but even then it was not enough to get the crowd moving and grooving. He nearly gained redemption, however, when he started playing his guitar with his teeth. Ah, a Hendrix fan. Groovy. They lacked all the great things a band needs to play live on this warm, Saturday afternoon. I support the Minnesota bands, but this trio needs to work on their performances.

Next performance rocked my soul: OK Go.


Easily my favorite group at RTG. OK Go had energy, stage presence, they interacted with the crowd, and had everyone, regardless of whether they had only ever seen their legendary treadmill video, on their feet dancing and having a good time. From a hand bell version of What To Do (that was intended to redeem our sinful souls) to red, white and blue confetti blowing like snow from the stage, they stole the show and ran with it making sure the next act had to work twice as hard to generate the excitement that they had. And if you have seen their videos you can get a taste of the creativity and energy that flow from these four. I personally was stoked to see This Too Shall Pass live, and it did not fail to give me goosebumps:



Their new album, which seems to be a tribute to Prince, is marvelous. I recommend it immensely.

Next? Why the fabulous Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings.


By this point my legs were about ready to cave in. I hate to admit but I could not get into this act as much as I wanted to. But Ms. Jones gave Kulash and OK Go a run for their money. Between her killer vocals and dance moves, it seems like there is not anything this woman could not do. Highlight of the performance was definitely her version of Guthrie's This Land is Your Land. Jones proved she could accomplish anything.

Then, the finale: MGMT


Everyone knows MGMT whether they actually know it or not. It pained me to see that most of the fans there were only there to hear their hits like Kids, Time To Pretend and Electric Feel. All marvelous songs, but MGMT is more than that. I think....

They played a mixture of Oracular Spectacular and Congratulation songs. It became apparent quite quickly that most of the band was not all together. Especially the leader guitarist, who looked like he might have been on an acid trip. MGMT's frontman, VanWyngarden, was very shy towards the crowd and would only mutter, "thank you," rather sheepishly after every song. The crowd did not care. Most of them were drunk or high themselves and were going to have a good time regardless of the music. Such bright futures they have ahead of them. Even though MGMT has a history of having terrible concerts, I found them to be quite enjoyable. Perhaps that is because I was expecting the worst. They definitely were not an OK Go, but they were still not on the Retribution Gospel Choir level. And one has not quite experienced life until they are in the middle of a Time To Pretend mosh pit.


All and all the concert was very memorable and a great experience; worth the money, worth the time. And I am now obsessed with OK Go. I have a new band to listen to all summer long. All my dreams came true in the course of 24 hours.