MGMT to perform a free “Live on Letterman” webcast on May 11

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Calling all fans of [lastfm]MGMT[/lastfm]! The beat-friendly alternative band that wowed us with hits like “Kids” and “Time To Pretend,” and kept us bouncing at countless music festivals these past few years, performs a free Live on Letterman webcast this coming May 11! [worldnow id=4767134 width=385 height=288 type=video] The show starts at approximately 8 pm […]

Calling all fans of [lastfm]MGMT[/lastfm]! The beat-friendly alternative band that wowed us with hits like “Kids” and “Time To Pretend,” and kept us bouncing at countless music festivals these past few years, performs a free Live on Letterman webcast this coming May 11!

[worldnow id=4767134 width=385 height=288 type=video]

The show starts at approximately 8 pm EST (5 pm PST), and you can watch it right here. For those who can’t catch it live, no worries; after it airs the concert will also be available on-demand.

[pullquote quote=”We just want to keep creating and not get stuck.” credit=”Ben Goldwasser, MGMT”]

Read more about MGMT and their free “Live on Letterman” webcast after the jump!

MGMT

Many of you already know MGMT’s [lastfm]Andrew VanWyngarden[/lastfm] and [lastfm]Ben Goldwasser[/lastfm] for their psychedelic-electronic beats and, more specifically, for their hit song “Kids,” which appeared on their 2007 debut album, Oracular Spectacular. Or maybe you’ve danced to their music at one of countless festival appearances they’ve made in the last few years.

MGMTNow MGMT has a brand-new album, Congratulations, which is only their second but feels like a solid step forward. Produced by MGMT and [lastfm]Sonic Boom[/lastfm] (aka Spaceman 3’s Pete Kember), the album showcases an expanded psych-pop sound that explores new moods and textures; toys with both darkness and light; and pays tribute to a couple of the group’s major musical heroes (two titles are giveaways, “Song For Dan Treacy,” namechecking the founder of post-punk group Television Personalities, and “Brian Eno”).

And speaking of expanded, Congratulations also features contributions from MGMT’s on-stage lineup–Matt Asti (bass, backing vocals), Will Berman (drums, backing vocals), and James Richardson (guitar, backing vocals).

“Before our first album was even released, we thought it would be funny to call our second album ‘Congratulations,’ without having any idea of what it would be,” says Andrew VanWyngarden.

During the webcast, MGMT will perform songs from both Congratulations and Oracular Spectacular.

MGMT was founded in Brooklyn, New York, in 2002 by VanWyngarden and Goldwasser, both Wesleyan University alumni. They emerged onto the national music scene in late 2007 with their debut album Oracular Spectacular, which won loads of critical praise and spawned the hit songs “Kids” (named top single of 2008 by NME), “Time To Pretend,” and “Electric Feel.”

During two years of touring, MGMT gained a strong following for their incredible live show. And last month they released their sophomore album, Congratulations. “I don’t know what style of music our new record is,” says Goldwasser. “We just want to keep creating and not get stuck.”

MGMT

For those keeping track, this is the seventh Live on Letterman showcase. Previous events have included Pearl Jam, Elvis Costello and the Imposters, Paul McCartney, Tim McGraw, John Mayer, and Mary J. Blige.

The Live on Letterman webcast with MGMT airs Tuesday, May 11, 2010 beginning at approximately 8 pm EST (5 pm PST). It takes place at the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York, home to The Late Show with David Letterman (the band’s appearance on that show will air later that same night).

Stay tuned for more information on MGMT, including videos, photo galleries, and an exclusive interview. Plus expect more updates on the webcast as it develops!

Additional links:

* Check out MGMT’s [lastfm]artist profile[/lastfm]

* Play MGMT Radio on Last.fm

* Preview Congratulations

* Watch the official video for “Kids”:

[vevo]http://www.vevo.com/watch/mgmt/kids/USSM20804382[/vevo]