I’ve seen The Fiery Furnaces just once before. Opening for The Shins at The Warfield just about 20 years ago. I was taken aback by their joyful weirdness… So many layers, and it was magic. And I’d yet to have an opportunity to see them again. So when Noise Pop added them to The Chapel, one of the most stunning spaces in SF, I jumped on tickets. Yet, I had no idea what I was in for…
Before Eleanor Friedberger and her brother Matthew, the sibling duo that leads The Fiery Furnaces, took the stage, we were treated to a rare solo performance by local psych hero Maryam Qudus. Better known by her stage name, Spacemoth.. She treated us to layers of samples and washes of guitar and synths, all played by Qudus herself. She crafted blissful pop symphonies, effectively replicating the full-band sound of her debut record, No Past No Future. Early in the set, she played “This Shit” with its chorus, “When is this shit gonna end? Gonna End?” a statement that resonates really well in the current climate.
Matthew sat at the piano, and Eleanor picked up the mic. Fiery Furnaces treated us to… An acoustic duo set! The layers were stripped away, and the songs were brought to the forefront. They played a career-spanning set, hitting almost every album. But, instead of the big, experimental songs, we got cabaret. Eleanor’s voice was in fine form tonight, sending chills at the right moments. Matthew played a delicate balance of jazz, showtunes, and pop on the piano. It was a fantastic show, despite not being the show I expected.
