After forming in the early ’90s, The Mountain Goats unleashed a torrent of obscure, staticky cassette releases before officially debuting with 1994’s Zopilote Machine. The group, effectively the solo project of lyrically hyperactive singer-scribe John Darnielle until a full band took shape in the early aughts, has since released 15 more rigorously thematic studio albums, with the latest, last year’s Goths, serving as an ode to Darnielle’s first musical love. The Mountain Goats’ fanbase is proud and protective, no surprise given the emotional fervor with which Darnielle delivers his breathlessly candid story-songs. Queer North Carolina folkie Al Riggs opens Thursday’s show.
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