You Just Missed They Might Be Giants (Twice)

Any Colfax bar-hopper can attest that the cheery line descending from The Ogden Theatre all the way around the block early Friday night was a sight to behold. The line of fans, sporting merch from across the decades, were antsy to get a front row spot at the first show of They Might Be Giants’ two night stop in Denver. Needless to say, The Ogden filled quickly and buzzed with energy as the audience waited patiently for the band to reveal themselves.

For those who aren’t familiar with They Might Be Giants, this long-established, eccentric boy band stands as an infamously off-kilter CAKE, or more theatrical Modest Mouse, with a passion for testing the bounds of their experimental sounds with traditional instruments.

Much to the relief of the audience, They Might Be Giants filled the stage quickly and jumped into “Synopsis for Latecomers” without any introduction.

Over the roar of the elated crowd, lead vocalists John Linnell and John Flansburgh shared the frontman role, passing stories and jokes or paying homage to the rest of the band’s talent. Band members wore casual clothes to match the relaxed energy they established on the stage, including T-shirts with anything from “pizza” across the chest to “America Needs Journalists”.

“Thank you so much for being here, we were so scared,” Flansburgh said with a grin, “We are opening for ourselves, so please treat us like you would any opener, checking your work email or writing something down on a small pad as if you wrote for a local paper.”

Fans laughed along as Flansburgh explained their plan to play two full sets and start things off with songs from the Mink Car album, released in 2001.

“It’s the only album of ours to go out of print,” Flansburgh lamented. “We worked really hard on it and… it didn’t matter.” The band dropped instantaneously into the heavy, aching existential tune of “Older.”

Linnell’s distinct and larger than life drone set him apart from the chaos of the live instrumentals and contributed to his mastermind energy from his centerstage seat behind the keyboard. As each song was announced, fans erupted into knowing excitement. The audience participated in “Drink!” with gusto and sang along to each striking chorus they knew.

Catching their breath and charming the crowd with a few more jokes, Linnell revealed something that likely no fan could have predicted. 

“We play so many of the same songs all the time, so we decided to learn a song in reverse,” Linnell said, causing gasps and laughter to ripple through the audience.

“If you bring your friends out to shows,” added Flansburgh, “this is when we have to apologize.”

After a quiet moment to settle themselves, the band began their distinctly unusual journey through the fully reversed version of “Stuff Is Way,” words and all. The impressive and absurd display was not lost on the crowd, most of which stood with gaping jaws, and yes, it did sound exactly the way you probably imagine it.

“Well, this is the more surrealist portion of the set,” smiled Flansburgh as the crowd processed the oddity they just witnessed, “If there are any children here on LSD, this is the section of the show for your headphones.”

Returning to songs in normal order, “Mink Car” and “Working Undercover For The Man” highlighted the group’s vivid storytelling and distinct voice, while visuals accented the music gently.

“When we come to Denver, I always go to the Delightful Egg? Or what is it called?” asked Flansburgh.

“Delectable Egg,” responded the crowd with confidence. 

“It’s a room full of very alone men,” said Flansburgh, “so I feel right at home.”

After a quick intermission with a cheeky tease of “What You Won’t Do For Love,” the band emerged yet again to a shrieking crowd. 

The second set began with a video recording of the fully reversed performance, in testament to their honesty through the process. As the recording came to an impressive close, the band assembled, save for Flansburgh, who lurked in the wings and performed vocals of “Wearing A Raincoat” with his mouth just inches from a camera projecting live feed onto the stage.

After his toothy spotlight, Flansburgh reemerged with a staff, looking much like a small tree, that towered over him as he took on yet another character within his lead vocals. Linnell took a break from his keys to don his accordion and bring even more texture to the group’s sound. 

Any fans debating coming to the show extra early to get a spot in the front row will be happy to know it might guarantee you a guitar pick or a copy of the band’s most recent book. In addition to the gifts, Flansburgh leaned his guitar over the audience and encouraged a fan to strum along with the song.

The band launched into another fan favorite, “Ana Ng” and worked through each song with unique solos and adaptations that made each song, which are so familiar for many listeners, fresh and engaging. Bassist Danny Weinkauf showcased his relentless shredding abilities, hidden beneath his modest stage presence, and burned through increasingly complex solos that kept the crowd screaming for more.

“One song! two musicians!” Flansburg erupted, introducing saxophone player Stan Harrison and drum player Marty Beller, before running off the stage. The duo instantaneously morphed the set into eerie and haunting melodies of choppy jazz with the driving force of Beller’s rhythms. As the crowd hollered in appreciation for the explosive duet, the melody dwindled down and almost out– only to evolve into the unbelievably catchy tune of They Might Be Giants’ most popular cover, “Istanbul (Not Constantinople).” Breaking away from the traditional version with piercing trumpet solos, the band started and stopped explosively, building the melody to its breaking point and beyond.

The crowd didn’t move a muscle as they flooded The Ogden with cheers and demands for more music. Clearly, two full sets weren’t enough for these die-hard fans. After a few noisy minutes, the band reemerged gleefully and prepared for a quick encore. “Particle Man” and “Dr Worm” kept fans happy, but not satisfied, as they demanded a second encore, earning themselves a performance of “Where Your Eyes Don’t Go” before the band departed.

 There’s no question that fans should make sure to see They Might Be Giants while they are still touring and experience the giddy magic of these lifelong music nerds.

Photography by Victoria Glidden.