Fleet Foxes- Palais Theatre

Tonight I headed down to the newly renovated Palais Theatre in St Kilda to see Fleet Foxes play their only Falls Festival side show in Australia. Opening the evening was Australian singer-songwriter Gordi (aka Sophie Payten) who played a solo set on acoustic guitar and keyboard (with some loops and vocal effects thrown in). Besides her own songs she also did a cover of Courtney Barnett's "Avant Gardener."

It's been six years since Fleet Foxes last played in Melbourne, although I was fortunate enough to see them last year in May at Vivid in Sydney. They started the evening with the opening tracks "I Am All That I Need / Arroyo Seco / Thumbprint Scar" and "Cassius, -" off their latest album Crack-Up. It was good to hear these album tracks again now that the band have been touring them over the past six months, especially my favorites "On Another Ocean (January / June)," "Fool’s Errand" and "Third Of May / Odaigahara."

The band powered through their set, often not stopping in between songs. There was an energy and joy as they sang each song, and the harmonies were amazing as they worked their way through their back catalogue. There were so many highlights, including "The Shrine / An Argument" and "Grown Ocean" off Helplessness Blues and "White Winter Hymnal," "Ragged Wood" and "Your Protector" off their self-titled debut album. The most special moments though were when lead singer Robin Pecknold took to the stage solo with just an acoustic guitar to sing "Tiger Mountain Peasant Song" and "Oliver James," which had the crowd silent and transfixed.  They finished off the night with an impassioned version of "Helplessness Blues" and the audience sent them off with a standing ovation.

Here's the video for "Fool's Errand:"

Fleet Foxes - Vivid LIVE Sydney

Tonight Tash and I headed to the Sydney Opera House for the second of four shows by Fleet Foxes as part of Vivid LIVE. As these were their only shows in Australia for 2017, I was really excited to be able to get tickets to attend.

It's been five years since we last saw them play live. The set list featured many songs from their upcoming album Crack-Up, which is due to be released in mid-June. I always enjoy the opportunity to get to preview songs live before an album is released, and these tracks show the progression of the band from their previous two albums.

Watching Fleet Foxes recreate these intricate songs live is an amazing experience as band members switch instruments not only between songs but during them. They were also supported at points throughout the set by a string quartet and some horn players. It was great to hear some old favorites played, including "Grown Ocean," "White Winter Hymnal," "Ragged Wood," "Your Protector," "He Doesn't Know Why," "Mykonos" and "The Shrine / An Argument."

For the encore Robin Pecknold did a stunning version of "Tiger Mountain Peasant Song" solo on acoustic guitar. We also got to hear "Blue Ridge Mountains" and were treated to a cover of the Bee Gees' "In The Morning." During the concert someone shouted out what sounded like "I have the same tattoo" but it turned out to be a request for "Helplessness Blues," which ended up being the last song they played this evening. It was such a fantastic show and the band earned the standing ovation they received at the end.

Here's the lyric video for the first single off Crack-Up, "Third of May / Odaigahara"

Fave Albums: Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues

Seattle's Fleet Foxes make some of the most beautiful folk music out there today.  Their second album, 2011's Helplessness Blues, is full of layered vocal harmonies and these incredibly epic songs that sonically change direction halfway through.  "Montezuma," "Battery Kinzie," "Helplessness Blues," "Lorelai" and "The Shrine/An Argument" are my personal favorites on an album that is full of high quality lyrics and instrumentation. 

Favorite Lyric: So now I am older than my mother and father when they had their daughter, now what does that say about me? ("Montezuma")

Favorite Song: "Helplessness Blues"

Fleet Foxes

Last night Tash and I had dinner at Amigos on Acland Street (another overpriced, average Mexican restaurant in Melbourne- surprise, surprise) before heading to the Palais Theatre for Fleet Foxes sold out show.  The last time they came through town I was away overseas, so I was very excited to finally see them live.  The opening act was Grand Salvo, the moniker of Melbourne singer-songwriter Paddy Mann.  He played a lovely set of folk music and was joined on stage at various times by a female vocalist and cellist for different songs.

The nearly two hour set by Seattle's Fleet Foxes was absolutely amazing.  Their four part harmonies just soared and they played all the songs with energy and a sense of purpose.  This was not a quiet folk show.  The lighting was quite subtle with the band only occasionally lit from the front and background projections of moving stars overlaid with different geometric shapes.  The set list consisted of songs from all three of their releases, including my favorites "Mykonos," "Ragged Wood," "Your Protector," "Montezuma," "Battery Kinzie," "The Shrine/An Argument" and "Grown Ocean."  Quite a few of the songs were played back to back, and the band would sometimes double up on the same instruments to intensify the sound.  When they did talk with the crowd the guys were quite funny, especially in telling a story about being in the same hotel elevator as Public Enemy's Flavor Flav the last time they were in Melbourne.  The band received standing ovations at the end of the main set and after the last song of the night, "Helplessness Blues."  This was a fantastic gig to kick off 2012 with, and will be a hard one to beat.

Here is the amazing animated video for "The Shrine/An Argument"