They Might Be Giants in Madison

They Might Be Giants is an American alternative-rock band formed in Brooklyn in 1982 by John Flansburgh and John Linnell. Their concise, wordplay-heavy songs draw on rock, pop, electronic arrangements and children’s music. Their best-known recordings include “Don’t Let’s Start,” “Ana Ng,” “Birdhouse in Your Soul,” “Boss of Me” and their version of “Istanbul (Not Constantinople),” while Flood is among their signature albums. They Might Be Giants began performing as a duo, using guitar, accordion, keyboards and a drum machine, before expanding into a full touring band during the 1990s. A 2004 tour produced the Venue Songs project: at stops on the itinerary, they wrote songs about the rooms hosting them. Later anniversary concerts presented Flood in full as the organizing structure of the show. They play club-sized headline dates at Bowery Ballroom and Washington’s 9:30 Club.