Fleet Foxes @ Massey Hall

August 5th, 2009

You know when you over hype yourself for a show? You love the band so much and you are so excited that you count down the days until they hit the stage. You build up your expectations so high that it is near impossible for any performance to live up to that ideal that you have formed in your mind.

Last night Fleet Foxes exceeded my expectations. And then some.

Fleet Foxes trotted unto the legendary Massey Hall stage just after their “favorite band”, Swedish psychedelic folk fellows Dungen played their open slot set. The show was sold out so needless to say the place was packed. As the band welcomed and thanked us they began what was an incredible set.

Massey Hall’s acoustics are pretty spectacular compared to many newer venues built these days (sorry Sound Academy but it is true). These acoustic simply added to the bands already breath taking (like chilling amazing words cannot describe just how talented these guys are) vocals. Sometimes in a seated venue with a band playing slower songs, there can be a lack of energy. A loss of that spark as some get sleepy. Once again not at all the case. The audience was constantly yelling their thoughts and remarks with enthusiasm and love, to which the band responded to laughingly. It was like a friendly joking conversation between friends.

“I REALLY LIKE YOU GUYS” was answered with leading man Robin Pecknold continuing on the banter with “THIS ISN’T USUALLY MY TYPE OF MUSIC, BUT FOR WHAT IT’S WORTH I CAN SEE WHY PEOPLE LIKE YOU!” After someone yelled about how a certain one of their songs had been stuck in their head all day, Robin answered that he personally can’t get Jeremih’s Birthday Sex, out of his head as he sang to us “Tell me how you want your gift girl”. After an audience member tried to stat a slow clap (I am not kidding) drummer Josh Tilma took the task upon himself starting his own slow clap and got all of Massey Hall clapping along.

After playing a full set of favorites and new songs (which have me oh so excited for their new album) the crowd gave a hearty standing ovation. Robin came out for the encore on his own playing a truly acoustic song. By this I mean he unplugged his guitar and just walked to the front of the stage and began to sing as the crown went silent. The rest of the band joined him at the end for the hauntingly beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and then as they walked off stage they were met with yet another standing ovation.

Robin came back for a second encore, and not knowing what else to play asked the crowd for requests. After much more yelling it was decided that he’d play Meadowlark even though he apparently had not played that song in a year. You would have never guess as it was flawless.

Many times throughout the show the Fleet Foxes thanked the crowd and stated that this show and their show in Montreal the night before were their two favorites. Kind words from a set of brilliantly talented long haired and bearded men. The show ended with a third standing ovation as At Last began to play on the speakers.

The night’s amazing setlist…
1. Sun Giant
2. Sun Rises
3. Drops In The River
4. English House
5. [new song]
6. White Winter Hymnal
7. Ragged Wood
8. Your Protector
9. Tiger Mountain Peasant Song
10. [new song]
11. [new song]
12. He Doesn’t Know Why
13. Mykonos

Encore:
15. [new song]
16. Oliver James
17. Blue Ridge Mountains

2nd Encore:
18. Meadowlark

If you haven’t heard of Fleet Foxes before get on it! When ever I listen to them I feel like I’m at a campfire eating s’mores. Just saying. They are pretty fantastic.

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Posted on Wednesday, August 5th, 2009 at 12:00 pm by Kate M. and is filed under Blog, Concert Reviews.

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