Recensie Friendly Fires | Positivus Festival 2012

They want to be remembered by their performance. They want to show their energy. They want to create this crazy indie rock and dance party. Confident, energetic, bright they come on Positivus main stage as one of the main headliners on June 20th and impress yet another crowd with their expressive performance in their busy festival and gig schedule. Friendly Fires know how to do it. 

They want the audience to actually see something once they have come to the gig, the lead singer Ed Macfarlane admits in the press conference shortly before their show. Playing live is their thing, you get to know it once experiencing their show. And perhaps you would not feel in their records the charm they have when playing live with absolutely brilliant Ed Macfarlane who impresses most. His dances and moves are vigorous, genuine and engaging. They fit in with the music and show the way they feel about it. 

They are fast thinking and doing as they rush through their setlist starting with Lovesick, then Jump in the Pool followed by Blue Cassette, On Board, Skeleton Boy, Live Those Days Tonight. There are slower songs in between that make them rest but not for long – the next fast song comes again and Friendly Fires just like fire are not supposed to burn out during their own party. Paris is perhaps the first single they have been recognized by, and they take us there towards the end of the show. It’s followed by breathing together Hawaiian Air and finally – the band gives us the Kiss of Life. The set list is well prepared and carried out unitedly. 

One is clear, when the show is over, they have given their 100% though not maybe impressed the audience with being orally talkative and saying how much they like being here. No, they are not that kind of band. And they don’t need to be. They communicate through their music, and Ed’s moves are contagious to certainly make others dance and enjoy. It’s a great show after all that ends with wet shirts and happy faces. 

< Agnija Kazuša >