Austinist Show Preview: Animal Collective at Stubb's (Giveaway!)

Animal Collective, about as much a musical lightning rod as three chill dudes with questionable fashion taste can be, are here, tonight. With them we expect a seizure-inducing sound and light display, several stacks of synths, maybe a guitar if we're lucky, and of course the head-shaking Geologist, yelping Avey Tare, and soft-spoken Brian Wilson clone, Panda Bear.

While the internet debate rages on as to whether a synthesizer is an "instrument," and whether AC's freakishly hyped January release, Merriweather Post Pavilion, is better than anything else this year, including Grizzly Bear, democracy, and Jesus, or whether it is in fact worse than a steaming pile of strobe-lit Baltimore/Lisbon horseshit, a few things we know for sure: MPP is one of the year's most compelling, demanding, and talked-about albums, Animal Collective is a fascinating musical envelope-pusher regardless of if you dig their style or not, and that their show at Stubb's is sold the heck out. So consider this your warning to start pursuing alternate ticket-getting methods (such as the entry form below for a free pair!) in a hurry, because otherwise you'll be left wandering Red River during what's sure to be one of the most divisive yet potentially life-changing shows in town all year.

And, oh yeah, Black Dice is opening. They're really great in that way that a work of art in a museum that makes people say "That isn't art...I could have done that when I was six" is really great. Doors at 7, friends.