Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – Petit Campus – November 23rd

As it was an intensely cold night in Montreal, a really good show was needed to make up for the brisk conditions outside, and fortunately that’s exactly what we got.  The place was packed, and I was kind of surprised because it was a Monday night and both bands were promoting their debut albums.  That didn’t mean a thing tonight because as it turned out, both bands — Edward Sharpe in particular — had plenty of fans in attendance.  Unfortunately, I arrived at the venue a little late, missing the Local Natives, who opened the show, but without too much time to get settled, I hurried to the front of the stage.

By the time I got a good spot near the front of the stage, Los Angeles California’s Fool’s Gold, were almost finished setting up their equipment, and the show was about ready to start.  Now, I had already heard a bit of Fool’s Gold’s new, self-titled debut LP, but what I didn’t expect at all (not exaggerating here), is that the material that was so lively and bright on the album, would come even more alive.  Halfway through the first song, everyone was dancing, and although I only dance at bar mitzvahs, given a more open dance floor, I would have been really moving.  Dance fever was the story throughout Fool’s Gold’s set last night, playing album favorites “Surprise Hotel”, “Nadine”, and “Poseidon”, all in stunning fashion.  One song after the next, the applause from the audience kept growing, with each song bringing the crowd into a better mood.  What was interesting about the performance was how the vocals were 99% Hebrew, which added a sort of exotic quality to the performance, and although the formerly mentioned songs were all highlights of a very entertaining performance, the conclusion was where the party was at, with the band finishing with the track “The World Is All There Is,” having the whole band, along with members of Edward Sharpe and Local Natives, jumping down to the floor, and dancing through the crowd of excited fans, before ending it all with the whole gang dancing their way backstage.

After such a performance, I was kind of doubting that it could be topped, and it wasn’t.  Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, also from Los Angeles, performed with an equally great energy and intensity, balancing out a great Fool’s Gold’s performance.  These two bands complimented each other, creating one of the best concert combos I’ve witnessed in a while.

Anyway, let’s get to the music.  Edward Sharpe, led by singers Alex Ebert (also of Ima Robot) and Jade Castrinos, came onto the stage after much anticipation that had the place buzzing the minute Fool’s Gold had left the stage.  I had a chance to listen to the new Edward Sharpe album, thankfully for the past week and half before the show, so I was familiar with a few of the songs, which made it a bit easier to follow the music and sing along with everyone else.  Front and center was Ebert, looking as ragged as you can get, but all perceptions would be shattered even before the band had stepped onto the stage.  This was their night, and they made quick work of it as well, whipping through crowd favorites “Janglin’”, “Home”, and “40 Day Dream”, as well as a selection of other songs from their debut LP Up From Below. There was no telling what the band would play next at any point because the setlist was non-existent last night, with the band picking whichever songs they wanted to play as they went along, and even though Ebert had lost his voice, it didn’t seem to slow the band down at all, as they played material off the album which sounded even better and more powerful in concert.  Often during concerts, there are instances where the band starts to lose steam, and people start looking at their phones, but that was not the case last night, as the band entertained with jokes and banter between songs, creating this sort of homey environment for the band and for the fans.  The band was in full form for the duration of the performance, while even playing us a song called “Desert Song”, which Ebert explained “they never play,” and even taking requests, playing set closers “Om Nashi Me”, and finally, “Brother”, with the band (along with 6 or 7 audience members), and everyone else in attendance all seated cross legged, swaying back and forth.

Fool’s Gold and Edward Sharpe seemed to have it together tonight at the highest level possible and the love that this Petit Campus crowd provided for these bands last night was incredible and very memorable, and let’s hope it was enough to prompt them to come back. - Jordan Ghetler

Fool’s Gold

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

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Tags: Edward Sharpe, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Fool's Gold, Foreign Born, November 23, Petit Campus