Watch: Jeff Mangum and Juilan Koster toy with hearts, offer up “Engine”
Last week, it came as somewhat of a shock that our reclusive Neutral Milk Hotel frontman Jeff Mangum had made several appearances at New York’s Knitting Factory for an Elephant Six Holiday Surprise Tour stop. Sure, people were happy about seeing Mangum out and about after being nearly a ghost for over ten years, but where were the Neutral Milk Hotel songs? Well, now it seems that Jeff is getting it together enough to play some of his Neutral Milk Hotel stuff . . . sort of.
In what appear to be two impromptu in-crowd performances, Mangum and bandmate Julian Koster performed “Engine” a relatively unknown B-Side to the very known “Holland 1945″ at the Brillobox in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on Saturday and then again yesterday at Columbus, Ohio’s Wexner Center. In the 
Pittsburgh video, the sound is nearly inaudible, and Jeff and Julian can only be seen in the flashes of cameras. (Edit: found new video) Seriously people, you are standing next to a legend performing for one of the first times in a decade, why are you talking!? Let me just say, shut up. Thankfully the Columbus people know what to do at concerts, and you can hear Mangum and his singing saw quite well.
If you ask me, if these performances continue I can see some new work or a reunion in the works. Mangum has admitted previous nervous breakdowns, and these type of nostalgic live performances will only remind him how great of a songwriter he was and how many people’s lives he has touched. Let’s hope for the best.
“Engine” (Live at Pittsburgh’s Brillobox)
“Engine” (Live at Columbus’ Wexner Center)
Elephant 6 Collective’s Holiday Surprise Tour Dates:
10/20 - Pontiac, MI @ Crofoot Pike Room
10/21 - Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge
10/22 - Bloomington, IN @ Cinemat
10/23 - Lexington, KY @ University of Kentucky
He played engine last night in Pontiac… I’m so pissed off I couldn’t go.
Was there at Wexner last night and could hardly believe this was happening. Absolutely amazing - been listening to Jeff’s stuff for ten years at least and I never thought I’d hear him perform. It was incredible - and yes, I was really glad that everyone in the crowd was really respectful.
Jeff Mangum walked by you and you didn’t quiet down? If Jeff Mangum walked into the same room as me, I’d be dead quiet. But also, that’s pretty cool that he walked by you. There should have just been a unanimous “shhhhhh.”
Don’t hate the crowd for talking. I was right next to Jeff as he made his way into the audience and I barely noticed he was going to play. It was so dark and quick that the people talking in the back had no clue he was playing.
The Lexington show is free, and as Jeff being my favorite musician, I am praying that he plays this, or any other song, for us Kentucky folk.
If he makes an appearance tonight in Pontiac, I will freak. Fuck college rules about not having a car your first year.
Apr 3rd, 2009 at 12:30 pm
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