This was a standout show for me this fall. this is the third time I've seen Feist and this was also the best show. She continues to invest more and more time into creating and interesting, polished, and personal show for her fans. The backing vocal arrangements have reached new heights with the addition of Mountain Man. It really has taken the melodic side of Feist to a new level. I was happy before, but now I'm just impressed. Her dirty vocal sound continues to please me, while infuriating studio-heads and audiophiles, most of whom are just annoyed by a singer that can sing well, but then messes up her great vocal tone with dirt. Feist's guitar tone was tighter this time around, exchanging her hollowbody for a solid body with humbuckers. A slightly angrier sound than I've heard before. Her acoustic tone parallels her vocal tone. Dirty, midrangey, tight, and forward. Great combo.
C. Gonzalez added something specials to the opening slot, as always. And the crowd participation (crowd invited on to the stage for a few songs near the end) was endearing. She was a bit rough on the crowd at points, saying 'really? is that all your going to give me? come on rock out!", but overall was a mellowish show, so the crowd did what they did and it felt fine to me. Oh well, small complaint in an overall great show.
The venue also managed to nail the sound. At orchestra level the mix was spot on, and I'm a tough critic.