Quirky Legends Finally Land in Bristol

They Might Be Giants have always occupied a wonderfully strange corner of my music collection. I’ve adored their 1990 album Flood for decades — a brilliant, quirky tapestry of songs that range from the irresistibly catchy Birdhouse in Your Soul to the biting, timely anthem Your Racist Friend. That track, especially coming from a band across the pond, rings even louder in the age of America’s 45th President.

Their music has danced through the background of iconic TV shows like Malcolm in the Middle, scored the whimsical world of SpongeBob SquarePants, and earned them not one but two Grammy Awards, alongside a Tony nomination for Best Original Score. Despite all this, it took me years to finally catch them live.

Tonight, at Bristol’s SWX, Brooklyn’s self-styled ambassadors of love and eccentricity deliver their first hometown show for me — a two-set extravaganza spanning their vast back catalogue and fresh tracks from their upcoming album. The result? A storming success.

There’s humor at every turn, musicianship tight and playful, and a sense of camaraderie that feels as genuine as it is effortless. A highlight is their playful dubbing of Aerosmith and Run DMC’s classic Walk This Way video — a cheeky nod that delights the crowd and showcases their clever wit.

If you haven’t yet experienced TMBG live, do yourself a favor and catch them on tour (dates and info linked below). Walk away with anything less than a sly smile and a spring in your step the next day? Then, my friend, you might just need professional help.