Brightest Young Things

all words: Nina
all photos: Shantel Mitchell (Faith Desired)

Almost exactly one year ago I was smashed in the second or third row of a very hot, very sold-out night at the Black Cat to see Fleet Foxes, my new favorite band, run through the tracks off of their album and EP.  The show was a transcendent and almost spiritual experience, and I remember how nervous and humble the band seemed.  Upon hearing the very enthusiastic applause following every song, Robin Pecknold would smile shyly and thank the crowd profusely.

Fast Forward: It's one year later, and I'm smashed in the eighth or ninth row of the first of two very air conditioned (thank god), very sold-out shows at the 9:30 Club to see Fleet Foxes, one of my favorite new-ish bands, run through the tracks off of their album, EP, and 7''- as well as, hopefully, some new tunes.  Once again the show was transcendent and almost spiritual, but this time the group of bearded, flannel-wearing men on stage were confidant and sure- much more accustomed to the rapturous applause between songs.

But let's start at the beginning.  Espers opened the show with a too-long set of too-similar-sounding songs.  With their ethereal, folky sound, the Philadelphia-bred band seemed perfect for the opening spot on this tour, but I just found their loopy jams to be boring.  The best moment was when they covered Blue Oyster Cult (and it's probably never a good sign for a band's best moment to be covering BOC) but other than that I found their music to be just good elevator music- nice-sounding, but meant to be heard in the background.

At promptly 8:15, Fleet Foxes took the stage to shrieks and screams and began running through their library of organic, four-part harmony-laden folk jams.  These girly shrieks and screams, which sometimes felt more fitting for a 90's boy band than a group of men whose leader was wearing a tattered plaid shirt and a wool hat, marked the only moments Robin Pecknold & Co. seemed at all shy.  The rest of the show was marked by comfort and confidence.  The Foxes have clearly played many, many live shows since I saw them last and their charisma now shines through between songs.  When between-song tunings weren't silent, they were filled with joking banter and stories about drummer J. Tillman's years growing up in Rockville, MD.  The members riffed off of each other teasingly and with a self-deprecating edge so that rather than seeming obnoxious or cocky (like lengthy stage banter sometimes seems) they were adorable and accessible.

The sound at 9:30 last night was also fantastic, and this is a band where I feel mediocre sound quality could really crush the night.  Every note was heard, every voice was balanced and clear, and during solo acoustic songs (such as encore-opener "Oliver James") the crowd was practically silent.

There were more drunks and more annoying shouters at this show than the last, but I guess that's what happens after a year of huge success.  Luckily, none of it has gone to the band's head.  They were fantastic last night and based on the two new songs they played, their next album should continue the trend.

***FUN FACT:  At least one-third of Animal Collective was watching the show from the upper left VIP section thing.  Yeah.

Previously in Live DC:

• 5/24: LiveDC: The Adicts @ RNR Hotel
• 5/24: LiveDC: The Donkeys @ Black Cat
• 5/23: LiveDC: The Barr Brothers w/ Kishi Bashi @ The Hamilton
• 5/23: LiveDC: Damien Jurado @ Black Cat
• 5/23: Report: Soundbites 2012
• 5/22: LiveDC: Spirit Animal @ Red Palace
• 5/22: LiveDC: Astra Via @ Black Cat
• 5/22: LiveDC: Father John Misty @ Rock & Roll Hotel
• 5/22: LiveDC: Drive-By Truckers and Lucinda Williams @ Merriweather
• 5/22: Photos: Summer Camp takes the "Ladies of Town" Drag Show