Gig review: Fleet Foxes

Published on Wednesday 9 September 2009 19:07

FLEET FOXES **** O2 ACADEMY, GLASGOW

SEATTLE quintet Fleet Foxes are an unassuming bunch who appear more surprised than anyone that their eponymous debut album has become the sleeper hit of the last year.

They sloped on to the Academy's large stage looking mildly stunned at the size of their capacity audience, frontman Robin Pecknold practically tugging his forelock to the crowd. Glasgow's Belle & Sebastian were his favourite band through his teens, he imparted bashfully. But he displayed the same shy, gracious demeanour at the band's last gig in Glasgow, and probably does so however cavernous or intimate the venue.

As a performer, though, Pecknold pulled off one of the boldest moves for any musician by playing a song entirely unamplified and allowing his soaring voice to carry to the gallery. His soulful solo interludes suggest that a gig by Pecknold himself would be a special thing – but not as special as what he can achieve with the rest of Fleet Foxes, three-quarters of whom are blessed with beautiful voices and intuitive harmonising skills. Guitarist Skye Skjelset is the only non-harmoniser – and the only non-bearded player. Is facial foliage the key to their sublime powers?

A new song sounded much like the older songs – all folk rock roots, garlanded in blissful close harmonies, like a Beach Boys for a cold climate. It's a rich seam to mine, and the purity and emotion of their sound has effortlessly struck a chord with listeners. Radio favourite Mykonos sounded glorious, while the mandolin-enhanced, Crosby, Stills & Nash-indebted Blue Ridge Mountains made for a romantic and evocative finale. If they can tighten up the gaps between songs to produce a seamless stream of pastoral splendour, Fleet Foxes could be transcendent.