Too much sarcasm, not enough spontaneity: OK GO in London

Ok Go in concert

Synonymous with dance routines on treadmills since their ‘Here It Goes Again’ video, OK GO has mastered the synchronized video performance. Unfortunately, this rehearsed, stiff formula doesn’t translate to the live stage.

The Chicago-based rock quartet played at London’s Shepherd’s Bush the night after their third album ‘Of the Colour of the Sky’ hit the shelves on 13 January.

Dressed in matching grey suits and black ties, the set opened with ‘Get Over It.’ Even with flashy background images and mini cameras strapped to their microphones, ‘A Million Ways’ and ‘Get Over It’ were played with little fanfare.

The show’s highlight was in ‘What To Do’ played only with hand bells. Still, the less than energetic atmosphere was highlighted by lead singer Damian Kulash’s intro the piece:

“Handbells are God’s instrument. Even if the rest of the show sucks you can’t fuck with us because we played God’s instrument.”

Creative flourishes were added to the encore performance of ‘It’s a Disaster,’ with pink and lime green fuzzy, glowing guitars and blazers with flashing lights. Still the shiny props did not make up for the fact that live shows cannot operate in the same way as a tightly rehearsed dance routine—they require some spontaneity, audience interaction, and not just hand bells and sarcasm.

Photo courtesy of snarkygurl (flickr)