by Andrew Trendell | Photos by Jake Dypka
Foals' blistering Nos Alive 2016 set in brilliant photos
Here's What Went Down in Lisbon
8 July, 2016: Foals hit Lisbon the tear up the main stage at Nos Alive 2016. Check out our photos from the show here and see the setlist below.
Drummer Jack Bevan leads the charge from the back, donning a pretty special 'I Wanna Be Inside EU' t-shirt. As the kraut-rock beat to 'Snake Oil' welcomes the band to the stage before all tension is dissipated with an almighty, howling release, it's clear that Foals are in the mood to celebrate being united with Europe, if only for tonight at least.
It seems somewhat perverse that the band are on so early on the bill, especially given their headline-worthy set at Glastonbury a few weeks ago, and what awaits them at Reading + Leeds next month. However as the early evening sun bakes down and all revellers quickly lose their minds, time doesn't seem to ever really matter - Foals always play like each gig is their last.
Frontman Yannis Philippakis jerks, shrieks and flies across the stage as if he's either at battle with himself, or itching to get out of his own skin. But that's not to say it's all pure punk abandon. The full, considered and artful scope of a sound that can only be theirs is explored - be it the shameless pop bounce of 'My Number', the feral insanity of 'Providence', the post-rock odyssey of 'Spanish Sahara' of the devastating elegiac grace of 'Late Night'.
Sealed with a kiss and a kick in the face from the snarling beasts of closers 'Inhaler' and 'What Went Down', Yannis takes to the crowd to eyeball the masses making the moshpit swell - and then it's over, all too soon. Just think of the damage they could do with a headline slot. The future is theirs.
Foals played:
Snake Oil
Olympic Airways
My Number
Providence
Spanish Sahara
Red Socks Pugie
Late Night
Mountain At My Gates
A Knife In the Ocean
Inhaler
What Went Down