Foals & Team Robespierre @ Bowery: Fairweather Storms

God bless Foals. Neither rain, sleet, snow, slush or freezing temperatures could have prevented me from attending last night's intoxicating show at New York's Bowery Ballroom. When I witnessed the band's first-ever American gig back in October, I was blown away. Yesterday, I was totally floored. Oxford's Foals began their set with an unreleased vocal-less track that included a pounding bass line, intense drumming and a swirling cacophony of overdramatic guitars. In other words, sheer and utter brilliance!

The band continued their fifty-minute journey by focusing on their upcoming LP, Antidotes, which is already a strong forerunner for Best Of 2008. In spite of the band's unhidden exhaustion and apparent illness (during the closing, 'Red Sock Pugie', one member had to relieve himself - by the side of the stage), the five-piece soldiered on ever-so-gracefully. Foals returned (following the upchuck) for a rousing rendition of fan favorite, 'Mathletics'. Absolutely nobody left the venue disappointed whatsoever.

The band will return for a proper North American tour throughout May & June.

Visit Foals at their official MySpace page. Complete setlist plus an MP3 below.

Setlist: Cans Of Rain. The French Open. Cassius. Olympic Airways. Electric Bloom. Balloons. Heavy Water. Two Steps Twice. Hummer. Red Sock Pugie... Mathletics.

MP3: Foals - Balloons (Kieran Hebden Remix)

I've been attempting to catch Brooklyn's Team Robespierre for the better part of six months. All stars aligned properly when it was announced that the misbehaved act would be opening for my beloved Foals. Their much-hyped stage show reminds me of a bunch of youngsters on a sugar high. That, or, a boxer following a well-fought victory. It's random, fierce, deranged and lovable. Learn all about their debut LP, Everything's Perfect, here.