Wednesday, 9 Apr 2008
People sure turn out early for good double bills in Madison. I was pleasantly surprised to see everyone had shown up early in time to catch Fleet Foxes and stayed through Blitzen Trapper. The show would have probably sold out had Rogue Wave not bailed on us, but that didn’t stop both bands from gaining a lot of new support from everyone in attendance.
The Fleet Foxes exceeded my expectations with a sound that could fill up just about any size room, and boy did those drums sound good and loud! I was so happy the band was able to play the show despite lingering sickness and being forced to cancel their set the night before. For a band that had no official release prior to yesterday and having never played Madison before, they somehow got about 100 people to show up punctually in time for their set. That tells me that file-sharing has some positive benefits or you guys just like taking chances on shows. Sorry Madison, but I’m leaning towards the former.
Blitzen Trapper began their set with an audience poll on whether or not to use a visual projection behind them and despite “No” (Yes?) being the majority opinion, they continued on with clouds and skyline’s behind them. Much like their album, Wild Mountain Nation, the group has a varied sound both on record and in a live setting that changes with every track. Balancing a tightrope of Wilco similarities and harmonica infused folk numbers, the ultimate bright spot of their set was “Wild Mountain Nation.” Calling for anyone from the crowd who wanted to play percussion and being joined by the Fleet Foxes, the stage nearly burst at human capacity. Fun to watch? Definitely.
So it was a good (early) night for live music in Madison last night. Did anyone stick around and watch the bands participate in Gomeroke? Did Fleet Foxes bust out “Dreams?” Actually, I’d rather not know if I missed that. What did you guys think? Will the Fleet Foxes play the Barrymore someday or are they a flash in the pan? Does anyone understand the Band Of Horses similarities that always get thrown out? I don’t. Did you like the screen behind Blitzen Trapper? Be honest and tell us how you voted. Can you not have rock and roll without supplements these days? Comments people, discuss…
Myspace: Blitzen Trapper
Myspace: Fleet Foxes
MP3: Fleet Foxes – “Mykonos”
More MP3′s at The Hype Machine or buy stuff from Strictly Discs | eMusic
April 9th, 2008 at 8:47 am
From the back of the HN, it sounded like more people said YES to the presence of clouds on screen. I didn’t think it really added anything though.
As for the Fleet Foxes/Band of Horses connection: I didn’t know that sentiment had been propagated by others, but I found myself thinking that midway through their set.
The similarity is not really a stylistic one, more in the way the FF singer sounds–from time to time–exactly like Ben Bridwell. They both have that hollow echoing wail that they do. This was especially present in the song he played solo when the rest of the band took five. All in all a super double bill, and, although they are great live, I didn’t miss Rogue Wave for a minute.
April 9th, 2008 at 8:50 am
Thx Michael – I hear the voice similarities, same w/Jim James I guess.
April 9th, 2008 at 9:44 am
I was one who went more out of curiosity- had read some MMJ comparisons and figured $8 was probably better spent than going to most movies these days. I’m really glad i went. I can see Fleet Foxes getting more attention next time, and it’s cool to know I got to see them in such a small venue.
Very good show, albeit short. I thought both bands seemed somewhat surprised/happy with an OK turnout for an early Tuesday evening, and I was kind of surprised for such a turnout compared to other ‘crowds’ I’ve seen in Madison (The Whigs’ show this past winter, for example, was awful for turnout).
And yeah, the cloud screen was kind of pointless, but they seemed to be having fun, so it didn’t exactly hurt either…
April 9th, 2008 at 11:25 am
i heard the majority saying yea to the clouds, as well. i was watching something yesterday, coincidentally, about the guy who invented light shows in the 60s, because people had all this psychedelic, out there music to listen to, but nothing to look at when they went to convene at massive concerts. so a guy started playing with oil and water and overhead projectors, and suddenly the combination of the strange music with the odd light shows made the entire experience much greater than the sum of its parts. no one really needs to see clouds on a screen behind music like blitzen trapper’s, but, like nick said, it doesn’t hurt the atmosphere they’re trying to project.
being up on stage was way more fun than it looked like.
April 9th, 2008 at 11:38 am
From the big bar, it definitely sounded like more yeas than nays. I was one of the yeas, personally–the clouds were gorgeous, even if they weren’t necessary for enjoyment of the show.
April 9th, 2008 at 11:44 am
I was unfortunately late and missed Fleet Foxes, but Blitzen Trapper were amazing, and the new songs sounded great. I loved that someone in the crowd blurted out that he already had the new album after they mentioned it would get leaked before its release date – too funny.
So, anyone got spare tix for Friday’s Bon Iver show??? PLEAAAASSEE???
April 9th, 2008 at 11:50 am
@ lauren – Bright Eyes does a good job of having a live projectionist do backdrop art behind his set.
FYI – I voted yes for the clouds, just seemed like those around me were indifferent.
April 9th, 2008 at 11:57 am
i was in the very front and it was an overwhelming “yes” to the ‘cloud’ screen, by my ears. but no matter, i forgot all about it as they started to rock. I really enjoyed both bands, and even corralled 4 of BT for jaeger bombs during gomeroke. that was fun. the drummer had no idea what to do as he was, incredibly, a jaeger bomb virgin.
as for the music, fleet foxes were incredible. they have so much talent its ridiculous, really. when i hear them, i hear grizzly bear and my morning jacket.
great tuesday night in madison show. i just moved back here from san diego and it seems as if i have not even taken a step down, as far as getting national acts are concerned. looking forward to friday’s bon iver show.
April 9th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Both bands sounded terrific and both sounds benefited a lot, I thought, from live performance.
In my case, you are correct that file sharing was the element that ultimately led to me being sure to be on time for the Fleet Foxes set. The combination of four-part medieval balladry over a reverb-heavy folky rock mix would have sounded ridiculous to me if someone had tried to describe it to me in words. In practice, it is a sensational, original sound. I get where the Band of Horses & My Morning Jacket comparisons come from, but that seems to me to have a lot more to do with the robust tenor vocals than the overall sound.
April 9th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
@ Tyler – Yes to Grizzly Bear similarities – I said that twice last night, but didn’t mention it in my post.
April 9th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
I’m not sure I really get the Band of Horses comparisons. I’m pretty familiar with the BoH catalogue, and it has just never popped out at me…maybe a tiny bit with the vocals, but Robin Pecknold (Fleet Foxes) seems to have a lot more range, lyrically, emotionally, what-have-you, than buddy from the BoH.
Fleet Foxes have always reminded me far more of Simon and Garfunkel than Band of Horses. Maybe it is the churchy sound?
Anyways, I have fallen for their e.p. and album harder than for anything in recent years – no understatement. Fleet Foxes!
April 9th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
blitzen trapper stuck around for the first set of gomeroake and the drummer and acoustic guitar player sang a beatles tune! it really brought it all back home.
April 9th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Fleet Foxes were great. I’m really glad I made out despite the rain and it being a Tuesday night. I see Fleet Foxes getting a lot bigger.
April 9th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
fleet foxes…awesome
April 9th, 2008 at 10:14 pm
fleet foxes were unstoppable.
blitzen trapper…there were what? six guys in the band and not one of them could figure out that their band was a bad idea.
April 10th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
You guys are gettin me psyched. I’m heading to Grinnell in a few hours to check out Fleet Foxes. Sooo psyched. And we just put on a show w/ Bon Iver. A) you MUST see that show if you can. Mind blowing. B) you MUST try and meet the band. They are the coolest dudes ever.
May 24th, 2008 at 11:16 am
Fleet Foxes are an incredible band. And I think Robin can sound like Springsteen at times as well (especially on Sun Giant’s “Mykonos”). He has such a strong voice for a young guy.
Love it.
May 25th, 2008 at 9:23 am
gaaaahhhh… stop it with the BoH and MMJ comparisons — Fleet Foxes ‘ave got more soul than either. I’ll take Simon and Garfunkel. can’t wait to see these guys in July.