Postponed twice from 2020, They Might Be Giants have finally made it to Oakland’s historic Fox Theater for an “evening with” (i.e. no openers) celebrating the 30th anniversary (a few years late) of their major label breakthrough album Flood. In spite of having played across the bay at the Fillmore only the night before, TMBG seemed to have no problem selling out the larger Fox, and what would normally be a sleepy Sunday evening, Telegraph Ave. was absolutely buzzing in anticipation.
Taking the stage at 8:15 PM, guitarist/vocalist John Flansburgh kindly reminded the crowd (most of whom probably bought their tickets 3 years ago) that they would be performing Flood in its entirety (although a few songs were prerecorded). As important, he let the crowd know that the band would actually be playing two sets and to not leave during the intermission.
Regarding Flood, the band chose to eschew the cliché of playing an album front to back and rather smattered the tunes throughout their career spanning set. With the setlist predictability out the window, the enthusiastic crowd (many wearing “They” paper hats from the merch table) was kept on edge, hanging on every word of the stage banter, and losing their minds when literally every song was introduced. There are not many bands that can hold a room’s attention like this.
Halfway through the first set, Flansburgh announced that they would be playing “Sapphire Bullets of Pure Love” backwards as the pinnacle of the show and then playing back the video of the performance in reverse at the start of the second set. What came next—“Stellub” (Bullets spelled backwards)—was an unintelligible cacophony which ended on a 4-count by drummer Marty Beller.
“Birdhouse in Your Soul” wrapped the first set and the band kindly reminded folks not to leave as they dashed off to hit some combination of the merch table, bathroom, and bar in 20 minutes as the house music played. Remember “Stellub” for the first set? Well played backwards (or forwards) actually worked, much to the Oakland fans’ delight!
The horn section, which came and went throughout the night, added some flare to the tunes and it was honestly fun just watching the Johns (Linnell and Flansburgh) nerd-out during the solos (who doesn’t love a good tuba solo, right?!!). Maybe that’s why Linnell has a rear-view mirror on his keyboard?
Even with two encores it felt like the crowd would have been more than happy to keep going if They Might Be Giants were up for extending the marathon. Alas, 2 ½ hours was plenty for the Giants before they finally called it a night.
SET #1
Synopsis for Latecomers
When Will You Die
Twisting
Someone Keeps Moving My Chair
We Want a Rock
Your Racist Friend
The Darlings of Lumberland
Particle Man
Stellup
Moonbeam Rays
2082
Brontosaurus
Lucky Ball and Chain
Road Movie to Berlin
Birdhouse in Your Soul
SET #2
Memo to Human Resources
Minimum Wage
Letterbox
The Guitar
Whistling in the Dark
Hot Cha
Number Three
Women & Men
Dead
Theme From Flood
Istanbul (Not Constantinople)
ENCORE #1
Spy
Doctor Worm
ENCORE #2
Fingertips
