The New Pornographers @ Marquee Theatre

The idea that a power pop supergroup comprising mostly Canadians unheard of by many people would be wildly successful and one of the most popular indie acts around probably seems absurd. But after nearly 15 years as a band, it’s easy to take The New Pornographers for granted. With four lead singers among Carl Newman, Dan Bejar, Tucson-hating Neko Case, and Kathryn Calder, the dynamic would appear impossible to maintain. But by allowing Bejar to write a few songs per album, and Case to come and go as her solo work requires, the formula has worked so far, perhaps to everyone’s surprise. Somewhere along the way, this once apparently temporary collection of musicians (and one filmmaker) became a solid band. Though the most recent New Pornographers albums haven’t contained as many wildly joyous moments as Mass Romantic or Electric Version, here’s a band that people actually want to see, an exciting group that really is better than the sum of its parts. Opening the show is the first Phoenix appearance for the new-look Menomena, which recently lost founding member Brent Knopf. A weird pop doubleheader, with Coachella to thank.