Concert review | Fleet Foxes sweet harmonies shine in confident Moore show

Concert Review |

So David Crosby runs into Robin Pecknold and throws down a challenge: "It's on, [expletive]!"

Pecknold of the Fleet Foxes told that story at his band's triumphant homecoming Sunday night at the Moore, and it neatly summed up what the Foxes are all about.

They're the latest stars in the harmony pop tradition of the Beach Boys and Crosby, Stills & Nash. Crosby wasn't just joking with Pecknold — he was acknowledging that the Foxes are the CS&N of the 21st century, the group that's taking the harmony tradition into the future.

As they showed with their tight, confident, easygoing show, the Foxes are ready for the challenge. Pecknold is a natural, so sure of himself that he sings with a full-throated freedom and power that's impressive and exhilarating. His pipes were best displayed when he stepped away from the mic and sang out "Oliver James" a cappella, utilizing the fine acoustics of the century-old theater.

Those acoustics also served the sweet three- and four-part harmonies well. The youthful male voices sounded strong and beautiful. The capacity audience was so rapt that the theater was pin-drop quiet at times.

In the past year, the Foxes have moved from being favorites in Seattle rock joints to international stardom. Just ending a North American tour, they'll soon make return visits to Europe and Australia.

It seems the world is ready for a mellow, folk-influenced, laid-back band of singer-musicians whose words and music conjure Northwest wildlife and wilderness, from fragrant springtimes and warm summers to snowy winters when you have to bundle up.

Like all but one of the five Foxes, Pecknold is bearded, with a hippielike, unaffected manner. He was hanging out in front of the theater before the show, wearing a red jacket in the cold, making sure friends got in. He sound-checked his own guitar before the set started, something a guitar tech usually does. He didn't take off that red jacket during the whole show.

"We are the five luckiest guys in the world," singer/bassist Christian Wargo blurted out. That optimism and joy in the band — which also includes guitarist Skyler Skjelset, drummer Josh Tillman and keyboardist/mandolinist Casey Wescott — was catching, and reflected in every note.

The Foxes are more than just rich, fine harmonies. At the Moore, they created an enveloping, propulsive sound, with strong, sometimes tribal drumbeats, churchlike organ, and intense electric- and acoustic-guitar interplay.

They played most of the songs from their "Fleet Foxes" CD and "Sun Giant" EP, a new song and covers. The EP title song was extended into a long piece that showed the band's tight, joyful unity. May they keep their wonderful spirit alive for a long time to come.

Old-timey folk singer/multi-instrumentalist Frank Fairfield opened with an impressive set of traditional folk and blues.

Patrick MacDonald: 206-464-2312 or pmacdonald@seattletimes.com