GALLERY + REVIEW: Good Neighbours + Foster The People - Boston, MA (2/22/25)

Feb 25

Good Neighbours & Foster The People
House of Blues - Boston, MA - February 22nd, 2025
Photos & words by Samantha Davidson (@samantha.s.photo.s)

Foster The People and Good Neighbours made Boston their “Home”

Foster The People and Good Neighbours filled House of Blues Boston to the brim as part of the Paradise State of Mind Tour on Saturday, February 22. After seven years, the band made their long-awaited return to touring and the city, leaving fans buzzing with excitement before the show. Boston clearly missed their eccentric melodies as this was the most packed show this writer has ever witnessed at the venue. A line around the floor formed as everyone waited to pick up a city-specific t-shirt at the merchandise station. Chatter filled the air that extended all the way up to the venue’s third level, where everyone had found their seat or standing spot before the first act stepped on stage.

The lights finally dimmed, and alternative British duo, Good Neighbours, and their 3-piece band strutted on stage. With a similar expansive and resonant sound as the night’s headliners, each song left a lasting impression. The explosive first track, “Keep It Up,” set the euphoric tone for the night as lead singer Oli Fox passionately jumped around the stage.

About midway through the set, the band teased that they had their debut album in the works before playing the catchy unreleased track “Starry Eyed.” They paused between songs to chat with the audience, earning their trust and captivating their attention through a call and response moment during their song “Somebody.” Fox taught the audience the catchy melody to the line, “When you get up, when you get down, when you get lost, I’ll be around.” He conducted the room, starting with the left side and moving to the right, which became a testament to their stage presence when everyone in the audience sang it back right on queue.

The overarching theme of their set was sharing the love, whether that be Fox introducing his bandmates and complimenting their crucial part of the live performance, requesting the audience tell someone they love them, or playing their new upbeat song “Ripple,” which has a hidden deeper meaning of pulling loved ones out of a dark place. The sparkling synths and ukulele chords created a joyous celebration of connection and were reminiscent of summer nights driving with the windows down. Before playing their viral hit “Home,” the band passed around a disposable camera for fans to take photos with, sharing that they wanted to “remember everyone here.” Their set fostered a genuine affinity with the audience, leaving them on the edge of their seats for new music to come.

Soon after, Foster The People beamed the venue to space with the psychedelic opening notes to “Feed Me” and vertical flashing rainbow light bars. The band floated on stage, and lead singer Mark Foster immediately grabbed all the attention in the room. Fans clung to every lyric, emphatically singing along to high-energy tracks like “Helena Beat” and “A Beginner’s Guide To Destroying The Moon” throughout the set. The unique lighting setup enhanced the themes in each song, with colors flashing during dramatic drum licks and pausing during vulnerable moments.

The topic of compassion arose again when Foster stopped to share a candid story about his musical journey. He revealed that his uncle gifted him a computer to use for music, which inspired him to download QBase and start creating instrumentals, “an act of kindness like that changed my life.” His words reminded the audience of the power of seemingly small actions, an empowering concept each fan carried with them even after the show ended. The band returned for a final encore, performing their viral hit “Pumped Up Kicks” to an audience reluctant to let them leave.

The bands effortlessly created an intimate atmosphere where everyone left touched by their performances. It was clear each act was soaking up the moment and living in the present, leaving the audience craving more from opening act Good Neighbours and further appreciating Foster The People’s artistry. Make sure to catch this bill live before the Paradise State of Mind Tour ends in July.
Buy tickets here.