LIVE REVIEW: Los Campesinos! + FoxHollow @ Yost Theater, Santa Ana 10/17/12

“Freebird,” weed dealers, and awkward pharmacy encounters will forever be Los Campesinos!’ first impressions of the unassuming city of Santa Ana. Although the turnout was not great in number, it was great in enthusiasm and adoration for the beloved twee pop group’s show at the Yost Theater.

FoxHollow

Local-ish opener FoxHollow received a warm welcome when they took the nearly cavernous stage; a space typically reserved for bass-pumping electronic acts. The young four-piece exuded a pop-driven energy that pulled the crowd in and got them bouncing on their feet.

As Gareth Campesinos! pointed out, the crowd was clearly a very young one, very few sported red 21+ wristbands, and drank soda from red plastic cups. For a band whose tunes are both danceable and angsty, it was perfect. One young fan kept yelling out “Freebird!,” which later prompted a snarky tweet from the band.

For a band who probably hadn’t even heard of Santa Ana prior to this tour, Los Campesinos! warmed up to the crowd. The audience had no objections when they were told the San Diego crowd overwhelmingly responded that Santa Ana was full of “weed dealers,” to which the audience had no objections. Gareth went on to retell an encounter his sister, keyboardist Kim Campesinos!, had with a man at the local pharmacy, which ended in him asking if he could touch her.

All-in-all, these odd experiences did little to inhibit an amazing performance later that night. Los Campesinos! has found a way to turn heartbreak into sublimely articulated tunes that get into your bones and make you move.

Check out all the photos from the night HERE.