Foals Live @ Southampton Guildhall

Foals released their debut album, Antidotes, in 2008. The album proved something of a hit with critics and fans alike, with the Oxford 5-piece’s changes of tempo and key changes being categorized as ‘math-rock’. The second album, Total Life Forever, which was released towards the end of 2010, was equally well-received. However, it was a completely different album to the debut, with a much more atmospheric and relaxed sound compared to the fast-paced thrills of Antidotes. So, would Foals be able to take two albums, which are so different and translate them into a credible live show? Yes, very easily. Opening with the first track from Total Life Forever, ‘Blue Blood’, Foals provided a chillingly beautiful show from start to finish on a cold November evening.


After the magnificent opening song, Yannis Philippakis and co. proceeded with ‘Olympic Airways’, the fourth single from Antidotes, which really got the audience in the mood, with its rising chorus and intricate guitars. Foals then moved up a gear, playing the two best songs from Antidotes, ‘Cassius’ and ‘Balloons’, to great effect in front of the packed Guildhall crowd. The third single from Total Life Forever, ‘Miami’, continued the high pace of the set with its jaunty, interweaved riffs and powerhouse drumming. Foals then slowed things down again with four more songs from the new album. After the minimalistic sounds of ‘After Glow’, the incredibly gorgeous ‘What Remains’ filled the room with Yannis’ expansive vocals, proving to be another particular highlight from the songs showcased live from the second album.

The atmosphere was brilliant for the entire set, with a mixture of excitement for the quicker tracks from Antidotes and respectful intrigue for the new songs from Total Life Forever. However, ‘Spanish Sahara’, the first song to be released from the second album, was by far the best moment of the gig. The song was voted best of 2010 by NME, and it is easy to see why. Whilst many Foals songs sound plotted and measured, ‘Spanish Sahara’ sounded unrestrained and emotive. It can only be compared to the feeling of listening to Arcade Fire’s chillingly beautiful ‘Wake Up’. The song begins with a minimalistic guitar before slowly building into a crescendo of noise as Yannis yells: “I'm the fury in your head, I'm the fury in your bed, I'm the ghost in the back of your head”. It was a truly impressive spectacle, especially when the audience joined in with the chorus to marvelous effect. Yet, after the high of ‘Spanish Sahara’ the gig could have easily fallen flat. Instead, Foals lifted the crowd once again with the brilliant ‘Red Socks Pugie’ and ‘Electric Bloom’ from Antidotes.



Foals then took a quick break before returning for an encore which demonstrated just how many great songs this Oxford band actually has. Opening the encore with ‘The French Open’, the opening track from Antidotes, the band proceeded to finish the set with aplomb. ‘Hummer’, an early non-album track and a particular fan favourite, provided another reason – if one was needed – for a highly energetic audience to really let loose. Finally, Foals closed the set with ‘Two Steps, Twice’ a brilliant closing song that encompasses all the angst, repetition and precise construction that goes into every song. It really was an impressive set from Foals, showcasing the best of both albums, whilst also managing to intertwine the two very different sounds.