It felt like, it felt like a coming of age.
Foster The People, in their first true shows since 2021, premiered songs from their upcoming fourth studio album Paradise State of Mind and reminded the crowd just why they’re so beloved with several favorites from albums past. With a reconfigured line-up, the L.A. indie rockers sounded sharp and were greeted with a packed house at the intimate Bowery Ballroom.
Paradise State of Mind, from the few singles that have been released and the new songs played on Monday night, is a jazzier, more soulful album than some of Foster The People’s earlier releases. Drummer Mark Pontius’ departure from the band in October 2021 was followed by guitarist Sean Cimino’s departure earlier this year, but Mark Foster and Isom Innis seemed to have no trouble filling in the holes. There is lore about Steely Dan, with Donald Fagen and Walter Becker as the creative core, tapping the talents of stellar session players to kick things up to another level on their increasingly jazzy songs. Foster The People’s Bowery Ballroom show had a similar feel, allowing for a much-appreciated saxophone solo and deeply intricate drum lines.
Playing with no opener, the 90-minute or so set opened with live debuts of new songs “Feed Me” and “Lost In Space” before pulling the things back with “Helena Beat.” That was the general pace of the show — a new song or two with a crowd favorite combed in between. While there were certainly fans there just to hear “Pumped Up Kicks,” the nature of the intimate show allowed for some clarity up-front that this was going to be a Paradise State of Mind show. “Sometimes I Wanna Be Bad” and “Glitchzig,” both played near the end of the night, seemed to be especially appreciated by the audience.
Foster The People will play another similar show at The Roxy in Los Angeles on Wednesday August 14, and then return to the stage at Austin City Limits in October. They also have a few upcoming DJ sets, in San Francisco and London. Odds are you will probably be able to see them at festivals next summer, too.
More information about the dates and Paradise State of Mind is at fosterthepeople.com.
Bowery Ballroom Setlist:
Feed Me (Live debut)
Lost in Space (Live debut)
Helena Beat
See You in the Afterlife (Live debut)
Call It What You Want
Coming of Age
Imagination (First Public Performance)
Pseudologia Fantastica
Houdini
Chasing Low Vibrations (Live debut)
Don’t Stop (Color on the Walls)
Lotus Eater
Time to Get Closer (First time since 2018)
Take Me Back (Live debut)
Sometimes I Wanna Be Bad (Live debut)
Lamb’s Wool
Miss You
Glitchzig (Live debut)
Encore:
Sit Next to Me
Pumped Up Kicks
