Fleet Foxes Helplessness Blues Tour

shitty iPhone pic

Fleet Foxes officially kicked off their tour on Friday night at the Vogue Theatre in Vancouver to a sold out crowd. I was not at the show (sad face). By all accounts (including some other shitty iPhone video clips posted on YouTube) it was an incredible experience. Then, on Saturday they did it again and... I was there (bearded big-grin-face). I can confirm that, without a doubt, it was an incredible experience. The Fleet Foxes are touring their album Helplessness Blues (officially out tomorrow on Sub Pop). The Cave Singers opened the show at eight o'clock sharp. The Fleet Foxes followed relatively soon after, all six members forming a line across the stage with "main man" Robin Pecknold at centre. The band played a perfect set of favourites like "Mykonos", "Ragged Wood", and "White Winter Hymnal" and soon-to-be favourites "Battery Kinzie" and "Blue Spotted Tail", before closing with, instant classic and title track, "Helplessness Blues".  All concert goers we're elated by the awe-inspiring performance. A big sound emanated from the stage with little dialogue between songs. It seemed that Fleet Foxes came to very seriously shred some wood and wires scoring huge points for both technique and execution (and bonus points for good beards). Often adding to the degree of difficulty were the many instrument changes made by all band members throughout the set. The audience was transported to a time and place where woodland creatures gave safe passage to travelling minstrels.

I must say it was quite a shock to pour out of this utopian state  onto a Granville Street that reeked of a Canucks overtime loss, UFC fight fans, sexual frustration, and shots of cinnamon flavoured whiskey. But most things were bound to be a let down after the previous 90 mins (approx.) of awesome.

Check out a two completely differing reviews of the Helplessness Blues album. The first from Pitchfork  and the other from NME then decide for yourself tomorrow. Hehe