Foxes @ the Waterfront
Lovely stuff.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I like Foxes. I don't know what it is about her particular brand of experimental pop that gets me, after all there are a plethora of pop-pixies vying for a place on your playlist, but something about it just does. I like her, I like her new album (as I've said already in this month's issue) and after having just seen her play the Waterfront on a cold Saturday night, I can say with certainty that I like her live performance as well.
Keen to show off the contents of her new album, Foxes opened with Body Talk before going straight into hit single Better Love. No messing about - straight in. Brilliant. The sound was good, and the backing band were tight, changing instruments to move into a middle-set of stripped back versions of some of her songs, showing what she can do with less as well as more. There was even an acoustic version of Justin Bieber's hit Sorry, which with Foxes’ particular brand of spit and polish shined up nicely.
Whilst this was great to see, the more intimate mood as the band sat down at the front of the stage really catered best for those lucky enough to be at the front of the crowd, and maybe got lost on some of the people further back. But no matter, because we were soon all jumping up and down again as the pace picked up, leading to an encore of crowd pleasers, including Clarity and Let Go For Tonight.
All in all, it was a great gig from an artist who was really trying to bring something different to a live show, as opposed to just standing on stage and belting out her new album verbatim. The performance felt thoughtful, and well paced, like time and effort had been spent on it, and it definitely paid off. Lovely stuff.
7/10
