Foals + Yak + Kiev
It is almost eleven years since I first saw Foals. Five young men strolled onto the Obelisk Stage at Latitude and, in the late afternoon sunshine, turned in one of those performances that stays in the memory for years after. Their debut album, Antidotes, had only just been released, they had made it back from a festival in Barcelona by the skin of their teeth after being involved in a back-stage fracas with John Lydon. However, they managed to create the kind of energy that is rarely seen on a festival stage at that time of day.
Last night, in the beautiful arborial setting of High Lodge at Thetford, Foals closed the first night of Forestry England's annual series of outdoor Forestry Live events with one of the stand-out songs from that early set, Two Steps, Twice, and once again the crowd went completely crazy. Four albums on (and with Part Two of this year's Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost due for an Autumn release) my thoughts turned, perhaps appropriately considering the setting, to that 14th century proverb, “Great oaks from little acorns grow”.
Foals have undoubtedly grown into fine stallions of the indie rock genre. Their one and a half hour show last night was a masterclass in how to deliver new material and old favourites side by side in a seemingly seamless procession of pulsating riffs, grooves and melody. Every single album is represented during the course of the evening, always a sure-fired crowd-pleasing tactic, and the opener On The Luna is one of six tracks from the latest that also gets an airing. The stage is adorned with fake palms, and the lighting is a glorious blend of back projections, spots and lasers that silhouette the faux-foliage and create a constantly changing vista sympathetic to the mood of each song - from flames and rich reds and oranges for Sunday, through to mellow blues and swarming animations for Spanish Sahara.
Guesting on bass on this tour is Everything Everything's Jeremy Pritchard, brought in following the departure last year of Walter Gervers and, with the addition of an extra percussionist, the band's dance-friendly sound is right on step and has the crowd bouncing, clapping and cheering every step of the way. Frontman Yannis Philippakis makes several of his trademark excursions into the crowd, each one producing fevered excitement and much spillage of beer and cider. I woke up this morning reeking of Kopparburg, but just told myself it was probably just essence of woodland orchard.
Support last night came from Californian outfit Kiev, with their highly enjoyable experimental blend of jazz, funk and prog, reminiscent at times of a dance-friendly King Crimson or Soft Machine; and alternative psych-rockers Yak, who I really loved, but perhaps failed to maintain the pace and energy that they have delivered before in more intimate venues.
Started by Forestry England back in 2001, these series of outdoor concerts at High Lodge have become a staple part of our musical Summer calendar. Income generated from ticket sales helps look after the nation's forests sustainably for people to enjoy and enabling wildlife to thrive. High Lodge at Thetford is one of seven locations featured, and this year performers also include Paul Weller, Jess Glynne and Stereophonics.
