Pumped crowd get their kicks

FOSTER THE PEOPLE, Manchester Academy
WITH just one album which peaked at number 12 in the UK and a single which barely made the top 20 in the UK singles charts — how did Foster the People sell out Manchester Academy?

At a time when R&B and dance acts dominate the charts, new indie bands barely get a sniff — but this American trio have caught people’s attention.

When tickets went on sale before Christmas for last night’s gig, they were gobbled up in a handful of days.

Their ultra catchy pop hit “Pumped Up Kicks” has enjoyed generous radio air time and catapulted the band into the spotlight — but were people really paying their ticket price for just one song?

The quick answer is “yes and no” as just a few songs into the set list, frontman Mark Foster witnessed large chunks of their already-gathering faithful singing his tracks word for word.

Foster, the man behind the band’s meteoric rise, is an interesting performer, vocally and in terms of stage presence.

Spectacular
He beamed to the crowd how one of his main influences are the alternative dance pioneers New Order and how they were attending the Mancunians’ gig tonight at the Apollo.

The pop gem of “Call It What You Want”, the standout track of their one and only album and the electronic fusion of “Torches” were highlights along with the beautiful ballad “Ruby”.

However, there was only one song the band could finish on. Foster converted their flagship hit into a raving end with spectacular lights and pumped-up beats.

All in all, a refreshing concert for the indie genre and a band that are only going to kick on.