Fleet Foxes @ The PalaisTheatre (06/01/12)

Thu 12th Jan, 2012 in Gig Reviews

On their inaugural Australian tour in 2009, acclaimed indie-folk troupe Fleet Foxes filled the Prince Bandroom to the brim, carving out their credentials before Melbourne’s hipster contingent. Three years on – and less than a kilometre down The Esplanade – the band could be found demonstrating their newfound stature, conquering the prestigious Palais Theatre before another amorous, sold-out reception.

Local songsmith Grand Salvo – A.K.A. Paddy Mann – was charged with the task of filling the enormous stage first, albeit with modest accompaniment. The attentive audience granted the wispy troubadour his platform, a collection of sleepy, serene folk songs unfolding throughout an appropriate supporting set. Before long, Mann was joined onstage by Zoe Randell, whose vocal contribution represented a new and welcome sonic dimension. The collaboration between Mann and Randell was nothing short of a masterstroke, the duo gelling flawlessly in sweet harmony. Later, a cellist would join Mann, with the stage became a revolving door as his accompanists substituted in and out. Eventually the trio would be united as one ensemble to demonstrate the full range of their expertise, delighting the Palais audience. While it was a strong showing from Grand Salvo, there was about as much variety as you would expect from the finite possibilities offered by the instruments and musicians. Educated guesses as to the nature of the set based on its humble beginnings ultimately proved accurate, with the same accomplished folk craft carefully recycled and repackaged. That said, it would be unreasonable to suggest Grand Salvo were anything but enjoyable and a fitting opening act for the evening.

As the lights dimmed, the Palais erupted in cheers and applause, as Fleet Foxes navigated their way through darkness to their individual stations. After moments of silence and swelling excitement, a cheeky quip would shatter the serenity. “So what do you guys do if you want to see some Opera?” a silhouette enquired, in reference to the band’s landmark Sydney shows held days earlier. As the lights finally revealed fragments of the sextet, frontman Robin Pecknold could be seen approaching the microphone, eyeing off the marvellous architecture of the venue. “This’ll do”, he relented, his jocular resignation fuelling the evening’s merriment. Such lighthearted humor and goodwill would go on to define the evening, largely thanks to the silver tongue of drummer J.Tillman.

Departing from the light tone of the introduction, the band embarked on a haunting introduction to proceedings, The Plains/Bitter Dancer bedazzling the venue with its gloomy, gothic haze. The group’s astonishing harmonies never cease to amaze, The Palais awash with the ‘Foxes heavenly caress for much of the night. Among the highlights of the set was the raw, earthy ferocity of Simsalabim, violin heard shimmering beneath the thunderous, glorious roars of a super-charged ensemble ploughing towards a cymbal-crashing finale. Meanwhile, Your Protector proved equally outstanding, triumphant and beautifully cinematic in its wild-west-inspired resolve.

Fleet Foxes drew material from both of their studio albums in roughly equal measures, satisfying fans across the board despite the perceived gulf between releases. Though a joy it was to receive a taste of Helplessness Blues in a live setting, the strength of the band’s older songs similarly proved irrefutable, White Winter Hymnal a prime example of their spine-tingling best. Ragged Wood immediately followed, an explosion of euphoria that took the evening to new heights. However, it seemed Fleet Foxes, in their remarkably nonchalant manner, would always find new ways to enchant the Palais as the night went on. This was an evening safe in the hands of a remarkably talented ensemble, their best apparently always around the corner, irrespective of the quality of the present.

Having staged an extremely cohesive and accomplished performance, Fleet Foxes received a deserved standing ovation from the venue, even prior to the encore. Such warm affection for the band extended as far as Fleet Foxes’ crew, Pecknold, upon his return to the stage, noting chalk-scrawled encouragement at the foot of his station. “I’m proud of you”, he read aloud, inspecting the message from the group’s lighting director. A solo performance of I Let You followed the heart-warming scene, before the band returned for the likes of Sun It Rises and Helplessness Blues.

Fleet Foxes proved themselves adept in projecting an intricate, imaginative world of their own design. Their craft is wild and wonderfully textured, epic, fantastical and larger than life. As a second standing ovation paid tribute to the band, it was obvious that this evening at the Palais Theatre had yielded nothing less than a phenomenal show – the kind that fans must surely have dreamed of since the group’s stint at the Prince Bandroom.