Alternative heroes They Might Be Giants will bring a birdhouse to our souls when they stop in SoCal for their Flood tour. The incredibly popular tour has been selling out across the country – including the April 12th San Diego date – so hopefully they will add a few more cities to the calendar.
TMBG intended to tour for the 30th anniversary of “Flood” in 2020, but, you know. Once they were able to be on the road safely, John Flansburgh was injured in a car accident after a show in June of this year. After recovering from some broken ribs, he is thankfully back and touring resumed.
The demand for more TMBG was so high, it led to them adding 16 Southern and Mid-Western shows, plus a New Year’s Eve event. If you find yourself near New Haven, CT at the end of December, you can ring in the new year with “champagne, streamers, hats and more hats,” and of course, TMBG.
FLOOD TOUR 2023
They Might Be Giants’ John Flansburgh and John Linnell have made their own path since 1982, because, really, who can compare to They Might Be Giants? The Johns met as teens, and then formed the band in Brooklyn during their college years. With the traditional (guitar) and perhaps not as traditional (accordion) instruments, and unique humorous lyrics, presented with comical onstage props, they gained a loyal following.
When they released “They Might Be Giants” in 1986, college radio, modern rock stations, and MTV went crazy for “Don’t Let’s Start.” Along came “Flood” in 1990 and it went platinum thanks to the catchy hits “Birdhouse in Your Soul,” “Particle Man,” and “Istanbul (Not Constantinople).”
They have continued to release their own style of music since then, plus expand into other areas. Those of us who were in college in the “Particle Man” days were able to expose our kids to They Might Be Giants via their children’s music – “Here Come the ABCs” and “Here Come the 123s” were constants at my house. They’ve even made it INTO kid’s shows like Disney’s “Higglytown Heroes.”
But back to their “adult” music… TMBG released their 23rd studio album, “Book,” in 2021, and last month, it was nominated for a Grammy. During their 30+ song sets, they certainly have an extensive catalogue of old and new to draw from!
Hopefully you can be part of one of the live shows, but whether you or cannot, the band has something special for you. Since it is the holiday season, they are giving away exclusive downloads of the “John Henry Demos” LP, which you cannot find on streaming sites.
OC Music News will cover their Nashville show and give you all the details, which of course will make you want to snag tickets even more.
