They Might Be Giants with Jonathan Coulton at Belly Up: 2011

This show was pure joy from start to finish. Two accordion-wielding nerdy rock acts in one night, playing to a crowd that knew every word to every song. If you weren't already a fan of quirky, clever alternative rock, you was confused. But if you were there, you were in heaven.

Jonathan Coulton

Jonathan Coulton opened, and for those who know, that's a treat. He's the guy who wrote "Still Alive" (the Portal end credits song) and "Code Monkey" and "Re: Your Brains." His songs are funny, smart, often about nerdy topics, and genuinely well-crafted musically.

His solo performance - just him, guitar, and sometimes the accordion - showed that you don't need a full band when your songs are good. The crowd was singing along, laughing at the jokes, appreciating the musical references. Coulton represents this beautiful internet-age success story - he built his career on Creative Commons releases and fan support, proving you can make it outside the traditional music industry.

They Might Be Giants

Then TMBG came out, and the Belly Up erupted. These guys have been making brilliant, weird alternative rock since the '80s, and their live show proves they still love it.

"Birdhouse in Your Soul" is their classic - a song about a nightlight that's somehow deeply moving and absurdly catchy. Hearing it live, with the whole crowd singing along, reminded me why I loved this band as a kid.

"Istanbul (Not Constantinople)" with its ridiculous premise and infectious melody got everyone dancing. "Particle Man" is pure absurdist brilliance - a song that makes no sense but somehow makes perfect sense.

What makes They Might Be Giants special is that they're uncompromisingly weird while still being accessible. Their songs are catchy and melodic, but the subject matter and lyrics are often bizarre. They write songs about paleontology and lighthouses and historical trivia, and somehow it works.

John Linnell on accordion and keyboard and John Flansburgh on guitar - they've been doing this together for decades, and their chemistry is obvious. They're having fun, making jokes, engaging with the crowd, but also delivering tight, professional performances of songs that are more complex than they might first appear.

The energy never flagged. Song after song, the crowd was engaged, singing, laughing, dancing. The Belly Up's intimate size meant it felt like a party rather than a performance - we were all in on the joke together.

This double bill was perfect - two artists who write clever, catchy songs for people who like their rock music with a side of humor and intelligence. Both Coulton and TMBG proved that you can be smart and funny without being pretentious, accessible without dumbing down.

Sometimes you don't need deep emotional catharsis or musical innovation. Sometimes you just need two Johns with accordions singing about nightlights and dead historical figures, making a room full of people incredibly happy. That's what this show delivered.