MGMT Biography

MGMT is an American psychedelic rock duo that mixes psychedelic pop and indie electro with high production values.

Early Formation

MGMT was first formed in 2002 as a full on electro band. Ben Goldwasser and Andrew Van Wyngarden created the band while in college as art students.

Career Beginnings

Originally named The Management the duo engaged the audience in their shows with a dose of performance art and punk hostility. That changed, however, as the pair grew older and started to highlight the live sound aspect and background musicians. In 2005, MGMT released their first project after graduating, the EP Time to Pretend. Their debut album was released in 2007 as a musically complex LP named Oracular Spectacular. 

Success

The album was released again in 2008 in a more traditional format. It was a commercial and critical success as it went platinum in several countries. The next 2 years saw the band busy with festivals, opening gigs and live performances with artists like Radiohead, M.I.A., and Paul McCartney. At the same time, MGMT was working on their new album which was finally released in 2010 as Congratulations. Arriving with a more ambitious sound, the LP debuted at number 2 on the US Billboard chart. As expected they began performing the album at famous festivals like Coachella Festival among others. MGMT embarked on their first Asian tour in 2011. As they were finishing work on the third album, the band hit the road with a tour in North America in 2013. Several moths later MGMT issued the self-titled album, followed by shows at Coachella and Glastonbury.

Break and Comeback

In 2015 they announced the re-release of the EPTime to Pretend and that they were going to return to the music scene in 2016. In May 2017, a teaser was released for MGMT’s upcoming album, Little Dark Age.

Photo credit: The Skinny