Foxing is associated with the Midwest emo movement. And yet, they have long since surpassed the label in terms of experimentation. Their new album acts as a cry of anguish towards the world. An expression of hopelessness in the face of catastrophe, set to ethereal shoegaze, glitchy electronics and wailing guitars.
In fact, it's that self-titled work that they mainly draw on tonight, as they work to capture the experience of hearing an album unfurl, in a live setting. “Croseo, diolch” frontman Conor Murphy greets fans, in his distinctive Missouri accent. I have to admit, it's gratifying to hear the band acknowledge on a few different occasions that this is their first time performing in Wales.
At one point, lead guitarist Eric Hudson turns around and awkwardly tries to pronounce the words Clwb Ifor Bach. Even still, they're joining a long line of acts who have hauled their equipment to the top floor of the venue, to perform for their Welsh fans. It's an honour to have them here!
Starting on Secret History, the audience soon gets an idea of the band's skill as performers. The morose lucidity of the song's verses is brilliantly contrasted by the visceral screams that sear the serenity, giving space to chaos.
The band continued in this vein for just over an hour. The visceral Spit, and the unconventional yet daring Gratitude, both provoke enormous crowd responses, seeing some wail the lyrics back at the performers, and others take part in ensuing circle pits.“SUFFER TILL’ THE END, MASOCHISTIC TREND, CARSON MTV, BIZKIT NYE, FUCK! FUCK! FUCK!!!!” -
Seeing fans attempt to scream those words, as the band launches into Hell 99, is frankly hilarious, but is part of a wider experience that runs the gamut of emotions, from shared anger to collective grief.
One moment that struck a chord with me is Barking. Perhaps one of the saddest songs in Foxing’s discography (quite an achievement, in a catalogue full of sad songs), the piece reflects on the loss of a pet, and the way that the world can feel more empty afterwards. The cry in the chorus of “Kissing yourself! To prime the rain” is one of those lines that resonates with me, in spite of its ambiguity, as does the sombre admission of “I can hear the clouds yelling back. I can feel the age in my voice”.
One moment that struck a chord with me is Barking. Perhaps one of the saddest songs in Foxing’s discography (quite an achievement, in a catalogue full of sad songs), the piece reflects on the loss of a pet, and the way that the world can feel more empty afterwards. The cry in the chorus of “Kissing yourself! To prime the rain” is one of those lines that resonates with me, in spite of its ambiguity, as does the sombre admission of “I can hear the clouds yelling back. I can feel the age in my voice”.
The first time Foxing ever played this, Conor introduced it with the words “here’s a song about the worst day of my life”. To many of their fans, myself included, it's also a song about the worst day of theirs.
Finishing on Rory from the band's first album, they bring the set to a triumphant close. Being a subdued, mournful ballad, this isn't the first song you'd choose as a ‘grand finale’ moment. And yet, in a live setting it's transformed into a glorious send off, as Murphy gets out a trumpet and plays the lead melody alongside roaring guitars and clattering drums, as the song reaches a vivid crescendo. It's one of the best ways I've seen anybody end a live set, in a small space.
There has been a lot of speculation based on the way the last Foxing album ended, that they may not be a band for too much longer. Touring and recording takes a mental and physical toll, that for some needs “shutting down and locking off”. If it indeed turns out to be the case that this is their last tour, this show will stand out in my memory as a beautiful outpouring of emotion, shared and nurtured by fans, who find solace in the songs! 10/10
Finishing on Rory from the band's first album, they bring the set to a triumphant close. Being a subdued, mournful ballad, this isn't the first song you'd choose as a ‘grand finale’ moment. And yet, in a live setting it's transformed into a glorious send off, as Murphy gets out a trumpet and plays the lead melody alongside roaring guitars and clattering drums, as the song reaches a vivid crescendo. It's one of the best ways I've seen anybody end a live set, in a small space.
There has been a lot of speculation based on the way the last Foxing album ended, that they may not be a band for too much longer. Touring and recording takes a mental and physical toll, that for some needs “shutting down and locking off”. If it indeed turns out to be the case that this is their last tour, this show will stand out in my memory as a beautiful outpouring of emotion, shared and nurtured by fans, who find solace in the songs! 10/10
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