Oxford band Foals have surprised fans by announcing a last minute hometown show.
They play the O2 Academy Oxford, on Wednesday. Tickets went on sale this morning and have already sold out.
The band of Yannis Philippakis, Jimmy Smith, Edwin Congreave and Jack Bevan are one of the biggest live acts in the world, headlining festivals and playing sold out shows everywhere from New York to Sydney.
They met in Oxford and began their career in the city - playing small venues like The Cellar off Cornmarket, Truck Festival in Steventon, and the O2 Academy, in Cowley Road.
Wednesday's show will see them celebrating the release of the second part of their new album ‘Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost‘. The show, which starts at 6.30pm, is open to all ages. It follows a headline show at Truck Festival in July.
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The band have also announced a documentary and concert film based on their recent world tour.
Filmed over a 12-month period, Rip Up The Road follows the band as they toured North and South America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Asia, as well as the British summer festival season.
It is accompanied with a Rip Up The Road live EP – available to stream on Amazon Music – featuring tracks Black Bull, Sunday, My Number and What Went Down. The film will be available to watch on Prime Video on November 15, with its premiere taking place at the Rio Cinema, Dalston, East London, on November 11 as part of the Doc’n Roll Film Festival, with band members and director Toby L holding a Q&A.
Read more: Foals ready for momentous homecoming gig at Oxfordshire's Truck Festival
The blurb from their label, Warner Records, goes: “In 2017, following four gold-selling records and ten years of non-stop touring, the acclaimed Oxford quintet found themselves at a critical juncture. Founder member and bassist Walter Gervers decided to leave, and the process to create a new album involved the band ditching big-name producers and plush studio environments in order to create with minimal interference.
“With Yannis taking the production helm for the first time, not only was a fifth record created, but so was their sixth – combining to form their most ambitious and socially conscious project, a two-part album, Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost.
“The raw and intimate Rip Up The Road captures a group of friends whose regeneration has led to their most challenging yet creative era yet, as they set sail once more against a relentless schedule.
"The result is a documentary that explores the role of bands in our current climate, the extremes of euphoria and isolation linked to touring, and what it takes to retain hunger and inspiration in an often unforgiving industry.”
Fan Lucy Silver from north Oxford said: "I can't believe they are finally coming back to Oxford. We were gutted when we saw the city was not among their live tour dates... now I just have to beg, steal or borrow a ticket!"
Stephen Edwards from Cutteslowe said: "They are the best band to have come out of Oxford since Radiohead, Supergrass and Ride but hardly ever play here these days.
"I thought I was being wound up when I heard they were playing this homecoming show. It's going to be momentous."
Another, Daniel Rogers, commented: "They were amazing at Truck; the best headline show I've ever sen at a festival. I didn't get a ticket but my mate got a pair... I hope he remembers who is friend is!"
- Foals' Jack Bevan talks to the Oxford Mail about returning to Oxford, the new album and finding a new bassist. See Wednesday's edition
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