On Sunday evening Feist performed to a packed and intrigued crowd at the Royal Albert Hall.
After three fine albums of material behind her, this was Feist in a perfect setting to showcase her talents. Leslie Feist, guitar in hand, flanked by her band, and the beautiful trio of singers Mountain Man; played effortlessly and confidently within such a venue.
She knew her audience, and she knew how to play to such an arena. The edginess of some of the tracks were a joy. Highlights included the disturbingly good A Commotion; the haunting Graveyard and the delightfully delicate Anti-Pioneer.
The thing about a Feist show is that one track differs so much from the next. You have the rockier, drum heavy numbers like Bad in Each Other, to the singalong numbers like Mushaboom. All in all, the show rises and falls, much like the audience. During some tracks the crowd are on their feet; during the more subdued tracks all are seated.
A nod must go to My Moon My Man; with the opening notes on an organ, to best track of the night. So Sorry, also with an unusual introduction via audience participation was also beautifully executed.
M Ward provided support for the evening, and played with Feist on a Jesus and Mary Chain cover during the first encore. Mountain Man also delivered a solo track during the set; and must now have done enough to warrant a fan base of their own.
On leaving the stage Feist then performed the title song from her debut album, Let It Die (the other debut album song in the set being Mushaboom). Inviting fans up onto the stage to dance; it was an opportunity not to be missed.
So, there I was. One of about fifty people, dancing on the Royal Albert Hall stage with Feist to Let It Die. It was quite something!
We were hoarded off prompty after the song, before encore number two, and the effortless Limit to Your Love. This was followed by the wonderful solo finale, Intuition.
Certainly, this felt like Feist playing in a front room. She kept it so tight and not a note went spare. Those intrigued viewers who entered the Arena, would not have been disappointed by this showing. Seeing Leslie Feist play live is highly recommended viewing.
