Breaking Down Foster the People’s Firefly Setlist
A main topic of discussion at Firefly Music Festival revolved around whether or not Foster the People deserved their headlining slot on day three of the fest.
Those opposed meant no disrespect. There's no denying the band is both talented and popular. But the first two days' headliners the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers—both Rock and Roll Hall of Famers—while FTP have released one album (over two years old now) and have played a mere three shows all year.
Meanwhile, two acts relegated to slots earlier in the day are enjoying career peaks: last month Vampire Weekend's latest record Modern Vampires of the City topped the Billboard 200 while Passion Pit's recent tour headlined Madison Square Garden. It seemed a bit… off.
As if sensing a need to rise to the occasion, Foster the People transformed themselves into an arena band on Sunday night. They bulked up their lineup with two extra musicians and three female singers for the set. They also incorporated elaborate visuals including background projections and a dance troupe sporting Eyes Wide Shut-style masks.
Still, how did the band fill their 90-minute slot with just 13 officially-released tracks? Allow us to deconstruct the band's headlining set, song by song.
3m
2m
3m
2m
21m
3m
45m
2m
3m
2m
2m
44m
41m
2m
1m
42m
1m
3m
42m
39m
20m
20m
1m
2m
21m
1m
22m
9m
2m
2m
1m
2m
2m
2m
2m
2m
2m
1m
2m
21m
21m
20m
20m
13m
20m
21m
2m
20m
20m
1m
1m
22m
20m
30s
2m
20m
1m
1h 2m
1h 45m
2m
1m
1m
1h 21m
1h 27m
1h 20m
23m
1h 34m
45m
44m
21m
20m
21m
1m
20m
2m
24m
46m
1m
20m
21m
1h 23m
21m
21m
20m
57m
1h 7m
20m
1h 22m
1h 17m
1h 30m
20m
20m
41s
22m
1h 15m
9m