Indie rock band, Foster the People played to a sold out crowd at The Wiltern, not one, but three nights in a row to celebrate the anniversary of their debut album Torches. The 2011 album was a monster hit and fans were beyond thrilled to hear the acclaimed album played in its entirety.
Funny enough, as much as a fan I am of FTP, I’d only seen them once before- and it was in 2011 at the Wiltern, when Torches was all the rage and Pumped Up Kicks was on the radio non-stop! I remember the beloved song almost became a nuisance the way it was so overplayed but alas, as soon as it was played you couldn’t help but dance and sing along. After ten years and hearing the album with fresh ears, it’s easy to see why FTP were such a success. The music is catchy and fun as hell.
The band took the stage to deafening cheers and applause and surprisingly didn’t start the set off right away with Torches’ tracks but instead chose one of their newer songs “Lamb’s Wool” from the 2020 EP “In the Darkest of Nights, Let the Birds Sing.” The second song was “Coming of Age” from 2014’s Supermodel. Followed by another new song, “The Things We Do.”
Okay, when the heck is this Torches party gonna start, I thought! And then finally “Helena Beat” kicked in and the crowd went mad! Party on! FTP performed the album in order from then on and the Wiltern turned into the happiest dance celebration ever!
Fans grooved and sang along, word for word all night. Lead singer Mark Foster is a charismatic front man and took time to express his gratitude for his fans and for the record that catapulted the band to such great success. He talked about how many fans told him that the album made them feel less alone and after listening to it again himself after so many years, he appreciates the sentiment even more.
“I don’t know what you’ve all been through but we all have been through something,” Foster told the crowd. “Music helps, community.” He expressed his feelings of hope for the future and how the only way to get out stronger on the other end is to nurture each other and simply put- be kind! “It comes down to us,” the singer continued as the crowd cheered wildly in agreement.
Just a couple songs later, Foster stopped the show during “Broken Jaw” to help a person who had collapsed in the crowd and needed medical attention. The crowd helped to get the person escorted to safety. Once everything was clear, Foster took it from the top. After the Astro World tragedy, it’s so important for artists to do these things and be aware of what’s going on in front of them.
After playing all the Torches jams, FTP treated fans to a few more songs from their other albums including, “Pseudologia Fantasies” “Sit Next to Me” and ended the night with “Lotus Eater.”
Foster and his bandmates Sean Cimino and Isom Innis know how to put on a show! It was awesome to finally see them live, 10 years later.
Words and photos by Betsy Martinez
