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Fleet Foxes on stage in Denmark last year.

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FLEET FOXES and DUNGEN at Massey Hall, Tue, Aug 4.

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Live Review

Fleet Foxes @ Massey Hall

Fleet Foxes are grungy woodsmen playing effortlessly beautiful baroque-pop

By Carla Gillis

The crowd was amped, the Massey acoustics gorgeous and the band – Seattle’s Fleet Foxes – not only incredibly tight but also thrilled to be here.

Looking more like grungy woodsmen than the refined dandies their baroque-pop might suggest, the bearded five-piece effortlessly turned out freakin’ transcendent harmonies and tunes mostly from their self-titled 2008 masterpiece. (A brand-new song suggests further greatness to come.)

Personable frontman Robin Pecknold, whose clothes are badly in need of mending, volleyed good-humoured banter at audience members who insisted on yelling quips – “I’m enjoying this!,” “Play some Nickelback!” – during silent moments. (This is when Massey’s acoustics get problematic.) He also proved his voice is more powerful live than on record, especially during an unplugged solo performance of Katie Cruel, played from the front edge of the stage, that left the crowd pissing itself in glee.

During the first of two encores, Reine Fiske of Dungen – the Swedish four-piece that opened the show with inventive, long-winded psych rock – added percussion to a triumphant version of Blue Ridge Mountain. Before exiting, a visibly moved Pecknold said this show and the previous night’s in Montreal could never be topped. We’d have to agree.

Aug 5, 2009 at 12:13 AM

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Comments

Posted by Jake on 08/05/2009, 10:52 PM

I actually met Robin Pecknold after the show! He signed my picture of him and we talked for a bit... He is incredibly nice... anyway, best night of my life!

Posted by Violet on 08/05/2009, 10:55 PM

The Fleet Foxes concert last night was beyond anything that I've ever seen. The acoustics were fantastic, and frontman Robin Pecknold was just amazing, actually moving me to tears with his voice during 'Tiger Mountain Peasant Song'. During 'Katie Cruel', everyone just held their breath, so that they could hear every note coming from Robin and his trusted Martin guitar incredibly clearly. It was beyond magic - it was raw, beautiful and touching. The boys' rendition of 'Drops In The River' was riveting, as everyone in the hall could feel drummer J. Tillman's beats echo through the ancient walls and seats of Massey Hall. One of the encores, 'Blue Ridge Mountains' is my favourite Fleet Foxes song ever, and they executed it even better than on the record, if that's possible. After the concert, I actually met Robin Pecknold, and he was the sweetest person ever, giving everyone (sweaty) hugs, and signing everything that everyone wanted signed. Overall, best concert that I've ever been to. Fleet Foxes will always have a huge and incredibly strong place in my heart for being the best band around, and single-handedly bringing back the movement of artists who actually have raw talent and charisma. And oh, you can't forget the plaid and beards.

Posted by Janine on 08/06/2009, 12:20 AM

During the show, I kept thinking. "This is the best musician I have ever heard live". Robin is truely gifted. The last concert I saw at Massey Hall was Arcade Fire....I didn't think anyhing could top that show, until now. I can't wait for more from these guys, and I hope they come back to Toronto soon.

Posted by gothic wanderer on 08/08/2009, 11:37 AM

I'm a fan in my 50's. I've heard a lot of beautiful music in my life but this is about the most gorgeous, ravishing sound ever. The album has been on my mind for months, and I don't want to shake it. I was so happy when Robin came out for the final encore to sing Meadowlark. So fine.

Posted by kimarola on 08/09/2009, 09:54 AM

It is thoughtful news. More is HERE