Fleet Foxes @ El Rey Theatre [LA; 09/22/08]

Last June, I struggled to find words to review a (for lack of a better word) breathtaking show by Fleet Foxes. After that night, the band would cover the States again, cross some international water, and further cement themselves as the breakout act of the year.

LA went craigslist crazy for Monday’s show. The El Rey Theatre added a second show for Tuesday, which also sold out. This entry is about the first night (and the last leg of that ambitious music weekend we had. I’ve been trying to catch up ever since).

This go-around was equally as enjoyable, even with an entirely different vibe. El Rey is a classier, more spacious venue. Singer Robin Pecknold likened the theatre’s chandeliers to the ballroom from The Shining. When a band has 4 vocalists, they have 4 microphones, and each one was utilized with quips like that all night. In fact, the amusing banter was the most striking contrast between the two experiences. At their last visit, songs were silently connected by a thick sense of seriousness. It suited the harmonies, the mood, and my own awe.

Any lack of fluidity this time was made up for with intimate, well-timed wit. The whole thing played out like a taping of VH1 Storytellers. It too, worked. They were funny, smart, just plain likable (“Geez Dave, why don’t you marry Fleet Foxes already?” I would if could, hypothetical friend voice, I would if I could…).

Friendly crowd heckles were encouraged, usually becoming conversation pieces. Topics like “The architectural history of El Rey” evolved into “Nickelback’s terrible music” and “you need to try Burt's Bees Carrot Seed Oil Complexion Mist for dry skin, we’re all addicted to it.” Eventually drummer, J. Tillman (who has great solo work, check him out), ran to the nearby Walgreens during Robin’s two-song solo set, and returned with a pack of cigarettes and a bottle of that carrot spray, proceeding to mist the front row. Maybe you had to be there, but these guys were entertaining on a number of levels. The highest level still being, music.

Everything expected was magically played ("Blue Ridge Mountains", "White Winter Hymnal", "Drops in the River", etc). The most memorable point, believe it or not, came with the introduction of a new, never before performed song, “Silver City.” They prefaced it with that kind of thing your buddy does when he tells you a song isn’t finished yet, “so, you know, be nice.” They endearingly asked that we not put it up on youtube. Raw and tense, it was an honest look at the trial of a song. Of course, it was good; a little faster, and more electric.

I attempted to tape the opening song, but wasn’t aware that El Rey prohibited videos. A security guy tapped me on the shoulder just as it got underway. I really wished I wasn’t 6’3 and right up front when that happened. Youtube has enough of them by now anyway, right?

Here’s that beautiful greeting which was unfortunately cut short visually. I go from sheer joy to utter shame in under a minute.


To make up for the lack of live footage, this is the new video for “He Doesn’t Know Why.” It’s a good look at that sense of humor of theirs.