Fleet Foxes – Shepherds Bush Empire, London 05/11/08

10 November 2008, 16:59 | Written by Rich Thane

(Live)

Back in June, Fleet Foxes were just finishing off their first ever UK tour. A handful of dates around the major cities, showcasing their just released self titled album and Sun Giant EP. They had lots to prove, the hyperbole surrounding them was unprecedented – everyone from Plan B magazine to Aled Jones (?!) on Radio 2 were talking about them. THE buzz band of 2008, for want of a better phrase.

After a sold-out show at London’s ULU, which pretty much left me speechless for about 30 minutes afterwards, Fleet Foxes announced a headline slot at one of London’s prime venues; the Shepherds Bush Empire. It sold out within 24 hours, as did the subsequent tour. Surely this would be one of the most important and celebrative gigs of their short career so far?

Well, it should have been. It’s probably fair to say that a lot of people were there only there to be seen to be there, rather than being genuine fans of the band. It’s something that only ever really happens in London but the atmosphere last night seemed a little strained. It certainly had an effect on poor old Joshua Tillman anyway. The newest recruit to the Fleet Foxes family, Tillman has been making records for years with his latest the wonderful Vacilando Territory being released on Bella Union in the new year.

Unfortunately, 95% of the audience didn’t have a clue who he was. It didn’t seem to phase him at first as he eased himself through the highlights of his rich back catalogue. But as his set progressed you could sense Josh becoming more and more agitated with the constant rise in audience chatter. See, in my experience, to fully appreciate Tillman, either live or on record, total silence is needed and unfortunately thats never going to happen at the Empire. As the room slowly filled with people the volume of noise got so dense that Tillman obviously thought “fuck this” and walked off stage. With at least 10 minutes to spare in his set… A damn shame.

Fleet Foxes shuffle on stage at 9:30pm on the dot. Looking up to the heavens.. there are people everywhere. The band look at one another as if to say “holy shit guys…this place is fucking huuuuuge”. As they launch into a slowed down, completely acapella, ‘Sun Giant’ my annoyances are calmed – I’m here for Fleet Foxes, and to hell with everyone else. I’ll just be in my own bubble for the next 90 minutes. As the boys make their way through ‘Sun It Rises’, ‘Drops In The River’ and ‘English House’ there is still a sense of unease. Whether it’s on the stage or in the audience I’m still left undecided. It’s as if the band want the show to be momentous and they’re putting everything into it, but the audience are stopping that vital spark from igniting. Don’t get me wrong, there was applause and respect – but that certain something was missing.

Perhaps the highlight of the evening was a brief solo set by Robin Pecknold. Performing a stirring rendition of the Judee Sill (a huge influence on Pecknold as a songwriter) classic ‘Crayon Angels’ – his voice tender yet powerful enough to reach high into the heavens of the Empire. Leading into ‘Oliver James’ it only just strikes me that Pecknold is now in fact performing standing up.. Has been all night in fact, but up there on his own a sense of confidence and self assurance takes over him. A startling transition from the shy and goofy (in a cool way) Robin from back in June. The months of rigourous touring obviously having paid off. The rest of the band rejoin Robin for one last song. ‘Mykonos’ – fast becoming a live favourite even sparks a little sing-a-long from a few audience members. Tillman still looks pissed off though. As the rest of the guys enjoy witty banter about the presidential election, he remains in the background, looking solemn and silent. That was, until he likened a malfunctioning smoke machine spitting out piffs of white smoke as “kinda like the atmosphere in this room”.

The spine-tingling moment I’d been waiting for all night came with encore ‘Blue Ridge Mountains’. The first song I’d ever heard by Fleet Foxes a year ago when they were still unsigned. It has remained a personal favourite, and judging by the way the band plough through it with vigorous gusto (keyboard player Casey Wescott enthusiastically headbanging!?) – it’s a favourite of theirs too. “I love you, I love you, older brother of mine” reverberates through my rib cage as the crashing chorus leaves me totally devastated (in a good way). The added mirror ball helps too. It was a perfect moment, and a lovely way to end the show.

So, as the Foxes skulk off the stage, I’m left feeling short changed. Not, by any means, their performance. They always deliver, and tonight was no exception. I’d just billed tonight in my head as some kind of momentous show, their biggest headliner in the UK to date – maybe even a moment in history. But alas, a shitty audience with little or no respect for the musicians left a bitter taste in my mouth. My only complaint with Fleet Foxes actual perforance was the lack of any new material… Still, theres always February when they play the Roundhouse. I’ll be there. With bells on.

Look out later this week for a special photo feature of the bands last night of the tour at the Cambridge Junction.