2007, the year that Oxford four piece Foals implemented their brand new take on guitar music as we knew it. Bashful math-rock with jerky guitars and unfathomable lyrics about Greek airlines and tennis; the perfect sound for drug fuelled student house parties which is in fact where it all began for Foals. Almost a decade on and their unique and experimental sound has bagged itself an arena tour. Who’d have thought it?
With a sound that’s progressivey increased in grandeur with every album, Foals’ set is an eclectic mix. The high energy turbulence of ‘Snake Oil,’ opening the free-for-all with its primitive, ritualistic build up and frontman Yannis Philippakis’ barbaric vocals, sounding even more coarse live than on the record. These moments aren’t few and far between either. Take ‘Providence,’ another wild and barbarous track that seems to bring out every member of the crowd’s inner animal.
Aside from the rowdy, primal aspects of their back catalogue that become particularly apparent on ‘Holy Fire’ and ‘What Went Down’ and which also make up a large part of their raucous set, Foals’ uncanny ability to create beautifully restrained and alluring tracks seems to have the biggest impact on the crowd. ‘Spanish Sahara’ an obvious hit as Philippakis’ delicate and subdued vocals wash over the sparse instrumentals before bursting into a celestial fizz of unrelenting drums and reverb-drenched guitars. The track’s true intensity can only truly be experienced in a live setting and witnessing this in a 12,500 capacity venue as opposed to the 2,000 capacity I saw them play last has a certain special quality. Although it might be less intimate, it’s clear that the sheer amplitude of the track was made to be played in a setting of this size. ‘Give it All’ another example of Foals’ capability to sweep the crowd to a far away ethereal land with its heavy drops of glittering synth and thunderous percussion. Old school classics like ‘Olympic Airways’ and ‘Balloons’ stir the crowd, showcasing just how well received their cult debut is amongst fans; new and old. “We fly balloons on this fuel called love” shouts the crowd repeatedly and we’re all back in 2008 again with no cares in the world other than who’s gonna’ go in the offy for your 2 litre bottle of White Lightning.
As the set draws to its finale, we’re lulled by the enchanting ‘Late Night’ which almost sounds odd when placed in such a large-scale venue. As if its dark keyboard sequence and desperate lyrics of pain and suffering should remain undisclosed in a seedy club in the backstreets of Soho. A complete antitheses to ‘A Knife In The Ocean.’ Its huge rambunctious climax descends upon the crowd like a wave crashing on Adriatic shores.
In true Foals fashion, the set culminates in an uproarious fashion. ‘What Went Down’ and ‘Two Steps Twice’ are hurled at the crowd like a nuclear bomb shortly after the cool, calm and collected ‘London Thunder.’ A true testament to the versatility of Foals’ sound, going from restrained and otherworldly to scuzzy and rough around the edges in seconds. It’s refreshing to see a band evolve in such a big way. In terms of sound Foals have gone from one extreme to the other. Every track on ‘What Went Down’ has rightfully earned them an arena tour and I certainly wouldn't be surprised if they’re booked to headline a few festivals later in the year.
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