Foals tend to transport me to a field full of mischievous teens in 2008, where Cassius is our staple summer soundtrack, echoing from a Sony Ericson, from a band whose idiosyncratic genre introduced us to a style of music we had never heard before. Antidotes, the band’s debut studio album, offered a pleasingly agitating version of the indie rock we already knew, triggering them to become a prominent part of many Brit’s younger years. In a time where cider, Skins, and offensively colourful jackets were our main concerns, Foals always seemed to be right there beside us. Over a decade later, the boys have scrubbed up and shown up, with their suave new look and their seventh studio album, Life Is Yours, which blew the minds of over 8,000 people last night at Castlefield Bowl.
After LA punk-rock band, The Regrettes, and eccentric Isle of Wight duo, Wet Leg, were unable to attend as support acts, Yard Act, a post-punk band from Leeds, arrived to save the day. Their satirical storytelling and devilishly dark humour have seen the band soar into success, with their politically pioneered tracks landing them as nominees for two NME Awards. The boisterous lads left the crowd expecting nothing less than an exhilarating racket with a side of lovable peculiarity.
Foals met all expectations, as the regenerated trio caused a scene with their opening song, Wake Me Up, which is a grungy disco tune from their latest album. The seismic sound of melodic guitar riffs and algorithmic drumming roused the fans, causing a handful of half-filled pints to go to waste before the band transitioned into Mountain at My Gates, a heavier track from their fourth studio album where leader singer, Yannis Philippakis, impressively delivered on his prominent guitar solo.
The band proceeded to take the crowd on a journey across each of their albums, with sleek transitions between tracks, and each tune met by waves of approval, particularly when Philippakis bravely mingled amongst the front row warriors mid-performance. It was made evident that Foals hold a die-hard fan base, with gig-goers of all ages seemingly familiar with over a decade worth of hits. Before the band said their goodbyes, they left us on a high, with Two Steps, Twice, a slow-starting song that becomes increasingly more upbeat as it swims through ritualistic chanting and catchy beats. High-rise balcony spectators, seated supporters, and security guards alike were two-stepping, twice, as Foals brought the evening to a close through synchronized dance.
It goes without saying that Foals remain a pivotal part of people’s playlists, with older albums never aging, and their latest album being met with the recognition and praise it deserves. A thousand cheers to the band for a gig I could have only dreamt of back in the summer of ’08, whilst simultaneously putting on a performance 26-year-old me could have only dreamt of too.
