Gallery, ReviewDitch This MagazineJuly 18, 2019gallery, live, melbourne, Review, Foals, Warpaint, Margaret Court, MCA, Secret Sounds

Foals + Warpaint @ Margaret Court Arena 15-07-19

Gallery, ReviewDitch This MagazineJuly 18, 2019gallery, live, melbourne, Review, Foals, Warpaint, Margaret Court, MCA, Secret Sounds

words & photos: Lucas Hackett @lucas_packett_photography

12_Foals_MCA_LucasPackett- 6G6A4546.jpg — Review

*“.. a road worn band, tried and tested songs and catchy melodies, they are an act to behold..”*

You know you live in a music city when it is the dead of winter, wet and cold on a Monday night and hundreds of punters venture out to come in contact with a celebrated touring act in all its grandeur.
Math-rock juggernaut Foals, arrived in Australia this week as part of the Splendor In The Grass lineup and touring their first release in a two part installment, Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost (Part 1), to a full Margaret Court Arena.

Warpaint, four-piece band from California, eased the exuberant crowd into the evening with open arms with their unique brand of intricate guitar lines, hypnotic vocals and driving post punk rhythms.

Their debut album The Fool, was named one of the best 50 albums of the decade by NME, which is evident in their short support performance, although playing material mainly from the self-titled Warpaint & the 2016 release Heads Up.

After a short recess Foals took to the stage launching into On The Luna, Mountain at My Gates, Snake Oil & Olympic Airways. My Number was quick to follow, the standout single from 2013’s Holy Fire, and one of the best received tunes of the night, getting most of the arena on its feet and singing.

Banter was minimal throughout the set, with the occasional bit of chatter here and there, singer Yannis Philippakis made it clear he was very thankful to the supportive crowd along with clasped hand gesturing from guitarist Jimmy Smith.

Finishing off the main 15 song set with Inhaler sent the young crowd into a frenzy while Philippakis walked the arena floor flanked by bodyguards. The encore followed with What Went Down and the usual closer Two Steps, Twice where Philippakis sung a chunk of the song atop the crowd on the general admission floor.

I can see why the Mojo honour awards nominated Foals for their caliber of live performance. Coupled with the overall energy of a road worn band, tried and tested songs and catchy melodies, they are an act to behold and an experience one must live. I trust these Englishmen return to this colony’s shores soon.