As time approached for Foster the People's entrance, the more crammed Toronto's lakeside Sound Academy venue became. Starting off with a half-full mosh pit were Atlanta-bred indie dance artists Reptar. Although few in the crowd knew any of the band's songs, Reptar managed to pump them up with similar stylings as Foster the People, but with a quirky side.
Less can be said for the second opening band, Cults, whose set did not appear to impress the growing audience. Sadly, the NY-based girl-boy duo's indie pop slow jams killed the crowd's energy. Despite playing to the wrong crowd, Cults were politely applauded as they left stage.
Finally, came Foster the People, who opened with the psychedelic, strobe-light-crazy "Houdini" as frontman Mark Foster waved around a lightsaber. As soon as the L.A. indie-electro band hit stage, the tightly packed sold-out venue was roaring with excitement. Without losing momentum, they progressed to "Miss You," followed by "Life on the Nickel."
After the surprising sing-along to "Waste," Foster spoke genuinely to the attentive all-ages crowd about how fast life passes by, making choices, and standing up for yourself. Following Foster's passionate speech was "Call It What You Want," where each member was rocking out accordingly. Cubbie Fink foot-stomped while slapping the bass, Mark Pontius head-banged on the drums and Foster showed off his multiple talents, hunching over the synthesizer, slamming on a huge drum, playing guitar and bellowing out his vocals.
Ending with "Helena Beat" and back less than a minute later, the band played the unrecorded "Ruby," followed by the long-awaited "Pumped Up Kicks," closing the night with the almost ten-minute light-shooting, head-banging, seize-inducing outro. As a newly formed band with a debut album released just a few months ago, Foster the People's ability to put on such a stadium-quality show was unbelievable, including everything from a tech-packed stage to band members who you'd swear were on E.
Less can be said for the second opening band, Cults, whose set did not appear to impress the growing audience. Sadly, the NY-based girl-boy duo's indie pop slow jams killed the crowd's energy. Despite playing to the wrong crowd, Cults were politely applauded as they left stage.
Finally, came Foster the People, who opened with the psychedelic, strobe-light-crazy "Houdini" as frontman Mark Foster waved around a lightsaber. As soon as the L.A. indie-electro band hit stage, the tightly packed sold-out venue was roaring with excitement. Without losing momentum, they progressed to "Miss You," followed by "Life on the Nickel."
After the surprising sing-along to "Waste," Foster spoke genuinely to the attentive all-ages crowd about how fast life passes by, making choices, and standing up for yourself. Following Foster's passionate speech was "Call It What You Want," where each member was rocking out accordingly. Cubbie Fink foot-stomped while slapping the bass, Mark Pontius head-banged on the drums and Foster showed off his multiple talents, hunching over the synthesizer, slamming on a huge drum, playing guitar and bellowing out his vocals.
Ending with "Helena Beat" and back less than a minute later, the band played the unrecorded "Ruby," followed by the long-awaited "Pumped Up Kicks," closing the night with the almost ten-minute light-shooting, head-banging, seize-inducing outro. As a newly formed band with a debut album released just a few months ago, Foster the People's ability to put on such a stadium-quality show was unbelievable, including everything from a tech-packed stage to band members who you'd swear were on E.
