Wednesday 18/06/08 Fleet Foxes, Beach House @ ABC2, Glasgow

Tonight the ABC2 is taken over by record label Bella Union as they present a joint headline set from Beach House and Fleet Foxes. Beach House take to the stage first with Victoria Legrand on keyboards/organ and lead vocals, Alex Scally on guitars and sampling duties with instrumental support in the form of elegant and graceful drums. Playing songs from their new album 'Devotion', the organ led music and wispy vocals linger over plucked guitar and backed with gentle rhythms. The sound is unique and distinctive, and songs such as 'Wedding Bell', 'Heart of Chambers' and 'Gila' are show highlights, with a strong vocal performance from Legrand, baring resemblance to Mazzy Starr and Bjork. Their finest performance of the night comes in the form of a Daniel Johnston cover, their originality makes it feel like a special moment for the crowd. Beach House are not like every other band, with waltzing rhythms and gothic atmosphere, Beach House seem to have a lack of urgency about them and this seems to attract people to their music.
 
And as the crowd swells to double, anticipation is high for Fleet Foxes set. Although advertised as a double headline set, its clear Fleet Foxes are the main attraction. As the band set up their gear, the contents from their dressing rooms seems to be shared with the audience, "..its the last show of the tour, we don't need this stuff anymore..." the band explain as fruit, sweets and crisps are thrown into the crowd. Opening with the vocally astounding 'Sun Giant', the band sing 4 piece harmonies, acapella and from this sensational opener you know this night is going to be special. 'Sun It Rises' presents the real talent within the augmentation of the music. With keyboards by Cacey Westcott, Guitars/bass by Christian Wargo, Guitars by Skyler Skjeelset, Drums by Josh Tillman and fronted by lead vocalist and guitars, Robin Pecknold. The track is filled with gorgeous African tribal rhythms and eastern twinkly guitars producing a sound that is mesmerising.
 
Following on with 'Drops in The River' and 'English House' each track gets better and better. Robin talks of a vacation last year to Scotland and his love for Oban Whisky, with some boyish banter from Josh and Cacey they take over the conversation "... he drinks that stuff when he's not doing the crazy stuff, you know like ecstasy, polyurethane, small woodland creatures, Chinese buffet, anything really.." Robin meekly replies "... I really don't do any of that stuff...", and as the sensible hat is firmly placed back on the band launch into a delicious performance of 'White Winter Hymnal', once again the harmonies are that of Fleetwood Mac or The Beach Boys, "...I was following the pack/all swallowed in their coats/with scarves of red tied 'round their throats/ to keep their little heads/ from falling in the snow...". This was quickly followed by a very spiritual and uplifting performance of 'Your Protector', which delightfully shows Josh Tillman’s drumming at its best with tribal beats that feel devotional and spiritual.
 
Robin takes to the stage solo and performs 'Crayon Angels' a song by Judee Sills, the cover is delicate and glides into 'Oliver James', where the vocals are rich like coffee, smooth and bittersweet. As the band rejoins him, they perform songs such as ‘Mykonos’ and ‘Tiger Mountain Peasant Song’ which are automatically crowd pleasers. And just as the final number arrives Christian Wargo recites a poem he has written to thank Beach House for touring with them, “…we live in the same country yet opposite sides/ which is a shame cause I know we can be friends…”

Closing with the dazzling ‘Ragged Wood’, where the timing and structure allows you to feel as though a Ten piece band were on stage rather than Five. The song shows the true essence of rock and roll, bearing resemblance to Kings of Leon guitar rifts with the lyrical similarity to Crosby, Stills and Nash. Although Fleet Foxes success in the past few weeks would have seen them sell out places like the Barrowlands in Glasgow, this intimate experience and solid performance leaves an exhilarated audience clear in their minds that this is a band with much more to give and will stand the test of time.