Sasquatch 2014: Too bad Foster the People forgot their pumped up kicks

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      There was a massive crowd on the main stage for Foster the People, no doubt ready for singles like “Pumped Up Kicks”, “Helena Beat”, and “Houdini”. And they were there, crowd-pleasing and igniting sing-alongs as one would expect. What the band lacked though was a steady tone. Spreading out their hits throughout the set was a good move, because, having been granted a 75-minute set, the band didn’t have the back catalogue to keep the crowd interested.

      Starting out a bit slow with “Miss You” from the band’s debut album Torches, Mark Foster and company tried to speed it up over the next couple songs with “Are You What You Want To Be?” and the somewhat tired “Call It What You Want”. It worked, to a degree, as the audience was just begging for a reason to be excited. The three-piece outfit then slowed things down again for some reason, crooning out “Waste”. By the time “Pumped Up Kicks” rolled around, Foster himself didn’t seem like he wanted to be there as he walked through the song that made him famous.

      It was cool to hear the band banter about being back at Sasquatch (this time on the largest stage), as you always like to see a band come back to the Gorge. “I was like, this place is cool. What a beautiful place man, oh my God,” remarked Foster, remembering playing the Bigfoot stage a couple of years ago.

      “Helena Beat” and “Don’t Stop” finished out the set strongly as the band seemed to finally get into it. Still though, when the screen that’s making images to go along with the music is the coolest thing about the show, you’d better be Primus 3D or something. Hopefully next time Foster and the boys come back they’ll bring some more energy. And maybe some pumped up kicks? We barely got sandals from that performance.

      Comments

      5 Comments

      Who cares

      May 24, 2014 at 1:05pm

      What about Die Antwoord?! This guy better cover Boize Noize and Major Lazer otherwise he's just a typical "i'm only going to the big indie acts" (outkast/foster/chance) EL CHUPACABRAAAH was fantastic last night but i bet he wasnt there. lets anticipate another blog about the national...

      Karl

      May 25, 2014 at 10:03am

      In response to the other commment:

      Die Antword was great but the speakers were blown out by the time they played so it was only a real party in the very front. In the back it was a mix of people dancing and having a great time with people just standing there watching saying they didn't like it (so why were they there?). Would have been nice if they played earlier in the day so eveyone wasn't tired.

      mark

      May 28, 2014 at 8:14am

      Wasn't at the show but saw them in Vancouver on Wednesday, two night prior to the Sasquatch gig. On stage, Mark Foster somewhat apologetically noted he was suffering from bronchitis (and it showed as he backed off of some of his more difficult vocals) . . . that might be part of the reason for lower energy at the Gorge

      JD

      May 28, 2014 at 9:29am

      Man, for me personally Foster the People was one of the most pleasant surprises. My wife dragged me away from Phantogram to go watch them but in the end I was very happy she did. Sure their old hits are good but the new album is hott, sometimes it takes hearing a band live to really get into them and that's what happened with us. It was really clear how musically talented the whole band was as they all switched instruments. Songs like, Are You Want You Want To Be? and Coming of Age were awesome, and every time I hear them now I'm transported back to that amazing Sasquatch! moment in time.

      A

      Aug 6, 2014 at 4:52pm

      Small correction: Last time they were at Sasquatch, they played the Yeti stage, not Bigfoot.