Three years ago, Foster the People was unknown and just discovering themselves, and now they are sell outs for a show of fourteen thousand loving fans. Three months ago on June fourteenth, the indie electronica-influenced pop/rock band Foster the People, known for their hit single “Pumped Up Kicks,” put on a phenomenal live concert at the Mann Center in Philadelphia to an immense crowd of thousands.
Before Foster the People took the stage and got all their fans up clapping and dancing on their feet, special opening guests “Kimbra,” known for her feature in Gotye’s “Somebody That I Used to Know,” and and Tokyo Police Club, a new up and coming band, warmed up the crowd.
Then from “Miss You” to “Houdini,” the trio of Mark Foster, vocalist and guitarist, Mark Pontius, drums and additional percussionist, and Cubbie Fink, bassist and backup vocalist, gave it their all for their fans in a tiring but diverting twelve song set.
An interesting but pleasant surprise during their last song of the set, “Houdini,” was seeing an appearance of a twelve or so member brass marching band join in with the electronica song. Their cheerful set and energetic stage presence brought so much joy to the crowd that they came back out for a powerful encore.
Mark Foster immediately came back out, took the piano, and played his heart out performing “Ruby,” then the trio reassembled and ended with “Pumped Up Kicks,” a song that everybody could sing along to. The final “Pumped Up Kicks” performance consisted of brighter lights, giant white blow up “torch characters” that resembled the ones on their album cover of “Torches,” and a shower of colorful rainbow confetti through the wind on the whole bottom floor.
Foster the People has won “Best New Artist of the Year 2011” at the SharkOne Awards, and both the WEQX “Song of the Year 2011” and Billboard Music Awards’ “Top Rock Song” for “Pumped Up Kicks.” The trio makes a great band for their indie pop/rock genre, and can put on a fantastic show using vocals, keyboard, synthesizers, bass, drums, and percussions.
If you liked “Pumped Up Kicks” on the radio, don’t hesitate to check out their other songs and look into seeing them in concert; you won’t be disappointed!