If you’ve ever wondered what MGMT sounded like before they blew up with ‘Kids‘, here’s your chance to time travel. A five-part video series has been uploaded to YouTube by user Rad Scientist, and it’s pure indie gold. This footage takes us all the way back to 2003 (or maybe 2004, the uploader’s not 100% sure), capturing the band in their raw, pre-global fame glory.
According to Rad Scientist, “Recently found some footage on an old drive I thought was gone forever. This was from either 2003 or 2004. Jamming on the balcony of the Wesleyan Wesco dorms up one. Part of a concert series on 4/20 called Zonker Harris Day.” Yup, Zonker Harris Day. The dorm concerts, the 4/20 vibes, and that unmistakable “just figuring things out” energy are all here. It’s like peeking into a college scrapbook and seeing the genesis of something legendary.
MGMT Forms
MGMT, for the uninitiated, formed at Wesleyan University in Connecticut when Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser started experimenting with psychedelic sounds and quirky synths. Back then, they were just a couple of college kids messing around with ideas that would eventually become hits. Fast forward to 2007, their debut album Oracular Spectacular dropped, introducing the world to ‘Time to Pretend,’ ‘Electric Feel,’ and of course, ‘Kids.’
But this video series is a peek behind the curtain. It’s a far cry from the polished anthems of Oracular Spectacular. The footage shows MGMT’s early DNA—the kind of intimate, low-pressure jamming that shapes a band’s future sound. You can see the seeds of the genre-defying duo they’d become but with an unmistakable DIY charm.
Concert on Campus
For those wondering about Zonker Harris Day, it’s a quintessential college tradition at Wesleyan, named after a Doonesbury comic character. Think laid-back vibes, dorm balconies transformed into makeshift stages, and an anything-goes spirit. This MGMT set fits right in.
The video series is a must-watch for hardcore fans and curious newcomers alike. Whether you’re nostalgic for the early 2000s indie scene or just love seeing how artists evolve, this is a rare and delightful find. And hey, if you need a reason to procrastinate, hit up YouTube and search for the Rad Scientist’s uploads. Just don’t blame me if you end up in a deep dive of MGMT’s discography afterward.
Visit the MGMT website to see what they’re up to or follow along on Facebook and Instagram for additional updates.
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