The original trio Stuart Braithwaite, Dominic Aitchinson, and Martin Bulloch joined forces in 1991 and began putting out music a few years later. Their single “Tuner”/”Lower” caught the attention of the public in 1996, along with the song “Summer,” which earned a mention in the British publication, New Music Express (NME).
Mogwai’s debut album “Mogwai Young Team” was released in 1997 with the joint efforts of additional members: guitarist John Cummings and drummer Brendan O’Hare. Their work hit #75 on the UK Albums Chart. Musical influences for Mogwai include The Cure, Joy Division, My Bloody Valentine and post-rock band Tortoise. Their music is characterized by extended instrumental guitar solos in post-rock style.
Mogwai’s sophomore album “Come On Die Young” came out in 1998 and upped the band’s popularity to #29 on the UK charts. The band brought on Barry Burns as a permanent member and featured Scottish violinist Luke Sutherland. At the turn of the century, Mogwai released their highest grossing album “Rock Action” which also became the name of their record label. The album featured guest vocalists and experimented with electronic elements while simultaneously staying true to their signature lengthy instrumental pieces (one song “My Father the King” is twenty minutes long!).
“Happy Songs for Happy People” was Mogwai’s first album to break into U.S. territory charting at #13 on the Billboard Indie Albums in 2003. Mogwai broke into the film industry in 2006 by providing the soundtrack to the movie “Zidane: A 20th Century Portrait.” Mogwai’s music is distributed through multiple international labels: firstly through Glasgow label Chemikal Underground, American labels Matador and Sub Pop, UK’s Play It Again Sam, and their own Rock Action Records.
I have had the good fortune to see Mogwai a number of times in a bunch of different places. I saw them at coachella 2004, I saw them once on a boat in Sydney Harbour. SF, Boston, LA, Seattle and NYC. The show on Monday night was in all seriousness one of the best shows I have ever seen in my life. Part of that is likely attributable to the sound at the opera house, but that is not the whole story. As a band they were just astoundingly tight. When you have a wall of sound coming at you that is likely louder than a 747 taking off and you can still hear an intrigue guitar line in the middle of it you know you are seeing something special. For a band that has 20 years of tracks to pull from they clearly took the time to put together a great setlist. Not only was every song amazing but they flowed perfectly. And they played christmas steps one of my favourite tracks. Hearing christmas steps in the opera house at mind numbing volume will be one of the highlights of any show I've ever seen.
If you have not seen them on this tour or even before. I assure you that you will not be disappointed, they are at the height of their powers and one of the best live bands in the world. It is not to be missed.