As if it were yesterday, I remember seeing the highly acclaimed cult-favorite indie band of Montreal take the stage at Athfest in the summer of 2015 in Athens, Georgia.
At the time, I was a student at the University of Georgia and had to scale a massive tree just to see past an ocean of fans all hitting a giant inflatable beach ball in the air while the group, which was formed in Athens in 1996 by frontman Kevin Barnes, absolutely killed, filling the streets of the quaint college town with dreamy psychedelic indie pop-rock soundscapes.
I eventually got hit with one of those beach balls and fell off that tree, but I left feeling nostalgic and a little dizzy for something I had just been a part of. I knew then that of Montreal was a big deal in the music world, and I fell in love with their community of fans and music instantly.
Of Montreal has been a fixture in the indie music scene since Kevin Barnes first formed the group in 1996, three decades ago as of this year. Their music has taken on various shapes and sounds over the years, and as of June 5, 2026, the band released their 20th studio album, Aethermead. The iconic group will be performing classic hits as well as songs from the new album this Thursday, July 2nd, at Barrelhouse Ballroom in Downtown Chattanooga…