REVIEW: THE PHOENIX FOUNDATION AT BRISTOL LOUISIANA (10/02/11)
The Louisiana in Bristol has a charm unto itself and with walls adorned by tour posters of previous visitors Kings of Leon, The Strokes and Amy Winehouse. It has definitely seen some great bands on their way to the top. The Phoenix Foundation, a six piece indie rock band from Wellington, New Zealand, have been steadily building a worldwide following for over a decade. Tonight they are in Bristol and start procedures with the epic soundscape “Eventually”. The psychedelic harmonies, phasing guitars and warm bass tones fill the intimate room with a dreamy ambience. Next they roll straight into ‘Bitte Bitte’ with the excitement of starting a road trip. A perfect rendition of their upbeat hit ‘Pot’ is delivered with passionate feeling and is well received by the sold out audience. In-between songs the singer has some jokes and on one occasion pokes fun about British tea drinking, someone shouts “Play the song about the mango and something”. The band promptly start a funny mockery of the ‘Orange and Mangos’ but then begin the song for real and deliver it with great gusto. With BBC 6 recently making The Phoenix Foundation’s latest release ‘Buffalo’ their album of the day, they are certainly a band to keep a close eye on. For fans of Mumford & Sons harmonies and Arcade Fire walls of sound.
Words: Robert Way
