Fleet Foxes kicked off their long-awaited “Shore Tour” on Tuesday (06/13/2023) at The Agora in Cleveland, OH. On a warm summer evening, music enthusiasts gathered to await a journey of comfort songs on full display. Enchanting the crowd by opening with “Sun Giant” from the band’s 2008 EP of the same name, frontman Robin Peckhold set the tone to a night full of nostalgia and good vibes. From the first notes zoning the quiet crowd in and perfectly harmonizing, the band had created a happy sing along concert from start to finish.
Leading into “Wading in the Waist-high Water” from the band’s 2020 album ‘Shore,’ the group brought opening artist Uwade on stage, whose powerful vocals added even more to an already amazing performance. The song made a great introduction of the band’s sound, highlighting Peckhold’s vocal abilities as well as the band’s wide array of instrumentation. “Blue Ridge Mountains” off of the group’s 2008 self-titled album and “Mykonos” from their debut EP ‘Sun Giant’ (2008) were popular songs that showed the band their listeners have been loyal since the very beginning. By crafting melodies that linger in the mind long after the concert ends, they mesmerized with their fusion of vintage and innovative sounds. Having a base in folk and classic rock influences, Fleet Foxes demonstrated impressive musical skills and out of the box creativity.
With the background lights constantly changing on the stage, it created a pleasant visual that helped set the tone for each song. Seeing the hard work that has been done with the lighting and animations made one see the thoughtfulness put into the presentation. Having Peckhold’s voice assist in painting his lyrics and summoning deep emotions in The Agora made the ideal environment for Fleet Foxes by making it so one can genuinely see the sincerity the band wants to portray.
Throughout the night, the folk-rock band continuously showed their talented members’ capabilities. Nearly every member of the band played more than one instrument during the 24-song set. Ending on a high note, Fleet Foxes encore songs are always a joy that deliver a perfect performance. During the bittersweet moment as the last notes echoed through the venue, the crowd exploded into applause.
