Despite the heavy rainstorms rolling through Los Angeles last week, nothing could deter fans from coming out and waiting in line to see Foster The People’s Paradise State of Mind Tour at double sold-out nights at The Hollywood Palladium.
Opening up the show was Good Neighbours. The British duo are fresh on the rise after their viral hit “Home” blew up over social media recently. Accompanied by their touring band, the duo sparked a lot of buzz amongst the crowd — and it’s easy to see why. With catchy lyrics, upbeat instrumentals and radiant vocals, it was difficult not to groove along. Frontman Oli Fox pumped up the crowd with proper exchanges and interactions, something that is sometimes lacking with support bands. The audience was equally as responsive — confirming Good Neighbours as one of the best opening acts we’ve seen in a long time.
Notable live performance tracks (as well as recorded versions) include: “Keep It Up,” “Daisies” and their latest release, “Ripple.” Good Neighbours’ cheerful, feel-good music will make a great edition to your playlist regardless of the occasion — be sure to give them a listen and check them out live if you have the opportunity to catch this refreshing new artist.
A wave of foggy smoke rolled across the stage floor as the stage began to glow in a variety of colors — the anticipation building as the music began to flow and Foster The People took the stage. With their extended band in place, we knew immediately this was going to be another live performance for the books. After kicking off the night with “Feed Me,” the energy in the room spiked immediately. Followed by two of my personal favorites — “Lost In Space” and “Helena Beat” — Mark Foster didn’t miss a step as he danced across the stage with his contagious charisma and beaming smile.
Foster The People has been a staple band for many since the early 2010’s, flooding our playlists from past to present. Hearing many of their older tracks brought back nostalgic memories from times that didn’t seem so long ago. The setlist was blended predominantly with tracks from Torches and Paradise State of Mind — while most bands don’t always have luck balancing old and new material, Foster The People nailed this one on the head. Perhaps because their sound has always stood out amongst others — despite quite a few copycat bands who mimic their sound closely to them — validating that they remain to capture listeners’ hearts (and ears) as they continue to grow and evolve. With that said, we were lucky enough to get a few from Supermodel and Sacred Hearts Club as well, including the crowd favorite “Lotus Eater.”
The show’s stage production was the perfect balance of eye-catching and complimentary with vibrant lighting and dreamy visuals. Overhead lasers accompanied a wave-shaped LED bar that spanned the stage, changing color throughout the show and creating an immersive experience. Whether lyrics or morphing patterns, the screen behind the band really enhanced the energy of each song. The combination of these elements created an unforgettable atmosphere — which of course, wouldn’t have been the same without a crowd full of dedicated fans.
The room was filled with a carefree, joyous mood as the night seemed to melt away underneath our feet. Before we knew it, the band was stepping back on for their encore of “Sit Next To Me” and “Pumped Up Kicks” — two of their biggest hits. The Palladium was flushed in flashing lights with beautiful colors illuminating the ceiling and outer shell of the venue as the show came to an end. Foster The People not only sounded near-flawless from a live aspect, but also emitted such a positive energy that made everyone in the room feel like an old friend, even though we were all mostly complete strangers. Do not miss your chance to see them live on their remaining dates.
GALLERY: Foster The People with Good Neighbours at The Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles (February 6, 2025)
