2022-06-23 Hardly Raining
“We’re playing a show!” exclaimed Fleet Foxes frontman Robin Pecknold. In their first time onstage in several years, the Seattle natives sold out the Moore Theatre. The June 23, 2022 performance kicked off their summer tour.
Along with Pecknold (guitar, lead vocals), the indie-folk group includes Skyler Skjelset (guitar, mandolin, backing vocals), Casey Wescott (keyboards, mandolin, backing vocals), Christian Wargo (bass, guitar, backing vocals), Morgan Henderson (upright bass, guitar, woodwinds, violin, percussion, saxophone), and new touring musician Chris Icasiano (drums, percussion). Members of The Westerlies joined them on horns.
In a 19-song set, Fleet Foxes played tunes across their discography. They included old favorites like “White Winter Hymnal” and “Helplessness Blues,” newer selections from Shore, and the Judee Sill cover “The Kiss.” Offering an introspective mid-set pause, Pecknold played the tender acoustic solo “I’m Not My Season.” After accepting a standing ovation, Fleet Foxes returned for a 3-tune encore.
It was a warm hometown reception. The crowd cheered, “You’re the best! We love you!” They shouted requests and teased Pecknold about his Birkenstock sandals. Pecknold joked back, suggesting individual microphones for everyone in the audience. His easygoing stage presence was well-suited to the Seattle crowd. Pecknold also shared that he was recovering from recent COVID-19 illness.
There were a few first-night foibles and some occasional wavering vocals, but the audience forgave these quickly. Fleet Foxes delivered the tight vocal harmonies and dense instrumental passages they are known for, and pulled off a strong opening performance.
Starting the evening was Brazilian multi-instrumentalist and composer Tim Bernardes. Illuminated by a single spot light, Bernardes played a beautiful solo set of guitar ballads with Portuguese vocals. He had contributed vocals to Fleet Foxes’ “Going-to-the-Sun Road,” and sang it with them during the encore.
Fleet Foxes have been productive during the pandemic: Their 2020 studio album Shore was GRAMMY-nominated and critically acclaimed, and in 2021 they released the live album A Very Lonely Solstice. Fleet Foxes are on tour throughout the U.S. and Europe this summer. They return to Redmond’s Marymoor Concerts for a sold-out show on July 15.
“Sunblind,” from Fleet Foxes’ 2020 release Shore.
