Of Montreal’s Ethereal Wonder Shifts Into Reality at The Cannery
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - July 21: Of Montreal returns to Cannery Hall in support of their new album Aethermead. (Photo by Dylan Basden for Pretty Nifty)
Thirty years into their career and on the road in support of album number twenty, of Montreal have certainly built a case for cementing their legacy. Aethermead, released back in June of this year, comes off the cusp of a relatively long break for the band—it’s been two years since their last album. For of Montreal, that is an eternity. It has been an equally as long time since the collective has graced Nashville’s stages, last playing EXIT/IN in the summer of 2024. While the band has played nearly every club in town, hitting The End, The Basement East, and Brooklyn Bowl over the years, this show at Cannery Hall felt like a homecoming. The venue has hosted the band numerous times over the years (2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, and 2020), so this performance felt like reuniting with an old friend.
The night got rolling early with “Id Engager,” a cut from 2008’s Skeletal Lamping. “Id Engager” makes it immediately clear why of Montreal gets clumped into the pop genre, as its frolicking synthesizers and crisp guitar riff bring in waves of 80’s nostalgia. Don’t get it twisted though, while a ‘pop’ band, of Montral are unlike anything you’ll catch on the radio. They’re outlandishly eccentric, with frontperson Kevin Barnes toying with vocal effects, varying inflections, and sometimes indiscernible deliveries. Similarly, Barnes’ touring companions are just as quirky, with a trio of interpretive dancers joining onstage and throughout the show in increasingly imaginative ways.
Following hot on the heels of “Id Engager,” of Montreal shift into “When,” the lead single from Aethermead. Barnes and company keep the energy levels high, ditching the more sugary aspects of “Id Engager” in favor of a post-punk-meets-chamber-pop behemoth. Barnes’ touring ensemble is in high gear here, with thumping percussion, scuzzy bass, and a blistering guitar earmarking the track.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - July 21: Of Montreal returns to Cannery Hall in support of their new album Aethermead. (Photo by Dylan Basden for Pretty Nifty)
Rounding out the first three with “Bassem Sabry,” the opening track from 2015’s Aureate Gloom, the band has shifted firmly into a glam rock direction. It is one of of Montreal’s greatest strengths, the group is almost effortlessly dynamic, with each song seemingly taking on a life of its own. Even within a single album there are huge sways in the sonic palette. Live, where of Montreal have to blend together twenty albums worth of material into one concise set, this makes for powerful shifts that can easily knock the audience off their feet.
Setlist
Id Engager
When
Bassem Sabry
We Will Commit Wolf Murder
Take the Form
Empyrean Abattoir
Already Dreaming
20th Century Schizofriendic Revengeoid Man
The Party’s Crashing Us
Wanting on Air
Sleeping in the Beetle Bug
Tennessee Waltz [Pee Wee King & His Golden West Cowboys cover]
Bunny Ain’t No Kind of Rider
Peace to All Freaks
Triumph of Disintegration
Nonpareil of Favor
-
She’s a Rejecter
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - July 21: Of Montreal returns to Cannery Hall in support of their new album Aethermead. (Photo by Dylan Basden for Pretty Nifty)
Of Montreal have just kicked off their second leg of the “Aethermead” tour, and while they are notoriously heavy tourers, chances to catch the Athens legends in 2026 are quickly drying up.
You can find all of the upcoming tour dates for of Montreal here.
Jul 22 – St. Louis, MO – Delmar Hall*
Jul 23 – Wichita, KS – WAVE*
Jul 24- Denver, CO – Bluebird Theater*
Jul 25 – Salt Lake City, UT – Metro Music Hall*
Jul 26 – Boise, ID – Treefort Music Hall*
Jul 27 – Portland, OR – Wonder Ballroom*
Jul 28 – Seattle, WA – Neumos*
Jul 29 – Eugene, WA – WOW Hall*
Jul 30 – Roseville, CA – Goldfield Trading Post*
Jul 31 – San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall* [SOLD OUT]
Aug 1 – Los Angeles, CA – The Regent Theater*
Aug 2 – Phoenix, AZ – Crescent Ballroom*
Aug 3 – Albuquerque, NM – Sister*
Aug 5 – Dallas, TX – Trees*
Aug 6 – Austin, TX – Mohawk*
Aug 7 – Baton Rouge, LA – Chelsea’s Live*
Aug 8 – Birmingham, AL – Saturn*
Aug 16 – Minneapolis, MN – Tilia Augtoberfest 2026
Oct 2 – Reno, NV – Off Beat Festival 2026
* with Sloppy Jane
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - July 21: Of Montreal returns to Cannery Hall in support of their new album Aethermead. (Photo by Dylan Basden for Pretty Nifty)
Of Montreal is simply one of those bucket list bands for any music nerd. Their influence far outweighs their success, with acts such as Dr. Dog, Jannelle Monet, and MGMT all stemming from the band in some capacity. Frankly, it is arguably more impressive than some acts doing arenas and amphitheaters—of Montreal have created a niche that has not only survived thirty years of touring but has continued to grow. This is one of those shows that feels incredibly special in the moment, and the more it has lingered on my mind, the more I’ve been itching to see of Montreal again.