I Just Read About That…

[ATTENDED: June 1, 2017] Frightened Rabbit

A number of years ago I got into Frightened Rabbit and really loved his dark-but-strangely-catchy poetic folk songs.

A few years ago he released a single “Swim Til You Cant See Land” and it was something of a minor hit.  That brought them some airplay and really enjoyed that album as well.

When I saw  that they were touring I thought it would be fun to finally see them live. Although somehow I didn’t realize that they had put out two albums since that single.  Yipes.

I waffled a bit about going to this show because I had a few things going on, but I decided to go and I ‘m glad I did.  I was particularly thrilled with how big the band sounded live.  I tend to think of Frightened Rabbit as a solo project–that’s because it started out that way–singer guitarist Scott Hutchinson formed the band and his brother played drums.  The band has gotten bigger with each subsequent tour and for this one they were a five piece.

I loved the backdrop of the show–which is, in fact, the cover for the new album.  And that pretty much meant that they were going to play most of that new album.  But they also played a lot of songs from The Midnight Organ Fight which was their second album but the first one most Americans heard.

The albums are overall fairly quiet affairs.  Even the songs that rock out aren’t especially loud-feeling.  There’s a lot going on but that seems to draw you in rather than push you back.  So imagine my surprise when they played the first song “Get Out” and the guitars were loud and the drums were loud and Scott was right up there singing and then a minute in, the band lashed out with the staccato chorus, lights flashing drums pounding and all power.  I was gobsmacked.

And that set the tone for the rest of the show.  The band sounded huge–the drums were so incredibly powerful, and the guitars and bass all combined to make the songs really come to life.

All eyes are on Scott Hutchinson as he sings and plays guitar, but also between songs as he tells amusing stories and jokes with the audience.  He particularly enjoyed the way the Philly crowd was whooping and applauded some of the best ones.  There was a moment after they played a quieter song and there was a slight pause and someone in the front row said, “that was well done” and he burst out laughing, saying that kind of thing was right up his street.

I was right in front of guitarist Andy Monaghan and he was so much fun to watch.  He played little solos in the songs, he played effects and he generally rocked out.  Simon Liddell was in the back switching between keys and all manner of guitars.  I couldn’t see him all that well for the fog, but you could always tell when he was adding something to the mix.

Things slowed down a bit for “The Modern Leper,” which opens quietly. But man when they got to the middle, the song was huge!  And that’s when I really started noticing drummer Grant Hutchinson.  He was outstanding–I couldn’t believe how nuts he went–playing so loud and so wildly and yet never out of sync with what every one else was doing.  It was controlled fury and it was awesome.

Scott had a very funny chat about the bar before introducing the new song. “I Wish I was Sober.”

From there I get lost with what they played–no one has updated it on setlist–come on people, I know some of you got setlists from the stage.

The new songs mixed well with the old songs–the sound is consistent without being samey.  But obviously I enjoyed the older songs more like.  And I loved when they played “Head Rolls Off” it sounded so clear and perfect.  I was also psyched to hear “Things.”  I was surprised at how mobile he was on stage–often stepping back to let me see his brother wail away on drums.

After about ten songs the band left and Scott came out to do a solo song.  It was cool hearing him do “My Backwards Walk” solo because even though the band is awesome, getting that intimate moment was pretty great.

He started drinking a beer and someone chanted chug! chug!  And he gave an amusing response.

I really enjoyed watching Monaghan playing that big main riff in “The Oil Slick.”   And sometimes the songs were so loud that my phone couldn’t handle the sound, so I just enjoyed watching him play guitar.

Hutchinson introduced the next song by asking how many people had their first album.  He said, yea downloaded for free is okay, too.  Introducing a song from it–one they brought back for this tour–he described it as their least popular or least listened to album.  Someone shouted “SHUT UP! You don’t have a least listened to album.”  He was taken aback and then laughing said, “I don’t now whether to hug your or have you chucked out.”  When they played it, bassist Billy Kennedy switched places with Monaghan and played lead or the song.  This happened on one later songs as well, although I can’t remember which one.

When they came back for an encore they did a great long version of “Keep Yourself Warm” and the crowd all sang along.  Despite the lyrics, it was quite rousing and really uplifting way to end.

Interestingly, they did not play “Swim,” and I didn’t even miss it.

A best guess at a setlist:

• Get Out
• Holy
• The Modern Leper
• I Wish I Was Sober
• Living in Colour
• Little Drum
• Head Rolls Off
• Woke Up Hurting
• Fast Blood

• Things
• My Backwards Walk  (Scott solo)
• Good Arms vs. Bad Arms
• The Oil Slick
• Square 9
• The Woodpile
• Lump Street
• Encore:
• Death Dream
• Keep Yourself Warm