Foster the People and Goth Babe Bring an Unforgettable Night of Music and Rain to Gallagher Square
Foster the People took over Gallagher Square in San Diego for an incredible evening of live music, with Goth Babe kicking things off as a light drizzle began to fall over the outdoor venue. What started as a slightly rainy concert would eventually turn into one of the most memorable and fun shows I’ve had the opportunity to experience.
The night started with a killer set from Goth Babe, the three man ensemble immediately getting the San Diego crowd moving despite the less than ideal weather. Goth Babe has never been one to hold back on putting on a show, even as an opener, and this performance was no exception. Throughout their set, the band kept things entertaining, even going as far as signing a literal banana and a brand new, still in the box Hamilton toaster before throwing both into the crowd for fans to take home as souvenirs. The toaster actually flew directly over my head, which is definitely not something I expected to see at a concert. As their set came to an end, the poncho clad crowd erupted into cheers, ready for the night’s headliner.
Foster the People soon took the stage as the light rain continued, immediately commanding the attention of the crowd. Beyond the music itself, one of the most impressive parts of their performance was the elaborate stage design. The centerpiece was a gorgeous modern style house that served as the backdrop for the entire show. However, this wasn’t just some prop thrown onto the stage. The house itself was made up of screens that were incorporated into the visuals throughout the performance, with the roof even serving as another part of the stage where frontman Mark Foster could climb up and perform above the rest of the band. It was an incredibly creative setup that added so much to the overall experience.
As the crowd continued to fill Gallagher Square, there was a bit of tension in the air as everyone wondered just how much worse the weather might get. The rain had been fairly light for most of the evening, but it certainly felt like that could change at any moment. Luckily, Foster the People didn’t seem bothered by it one bit, continuing to put on an incredible performance for the thousands of fans who had come out to see them.
Throughout the night, the band took time to share their appreciation for the San Diego crowd, even affectionately calling it their “most memorable San Diego show ever,” despite having played here numerous times throughout their career. They also joked about how thankful they were that so many fans had shown up to see them perform in a “literal hurricane,” getting a laugh out of the soaked audience. The band also thanked fans for sticking around and continuing to support them through the seven year gap between album releases. It was a genuinely sweet moment, and the love from the crowd was very clearly mutual.
Eventually, the skies finally opened up, turning what had been a lightly rainy evening into a full on downpour. But rather than letting the weather ruin the night, the crowd seemed to embrace it. Gallagher Square quickly turned into one massive dance floor, with thousands of fans singing and dancing as the rain poured down around them.
Of course, one of the biggest moments of the night came when the band began performing their massive hit “Pumped Up Kicks.” Hearing that song live is already an incredible experience, but getting to dance along to it in the pouring rain with thousands of other fans made it that much better. Looking around and seeing everyone completely soaked but still having the time of their lives was something special.
I’ve been lucky enough to photograph and attend a lot of incredible concerts throughout my career, but this one will absolutely be sticking with me for a long time. From Goth Babe’s hilarious opening set and flying toaster to Foster the People’s gorgeous stage production and the rain that eventually soaked the entire venue, it was just an all around incredible night.
Dancing in the rain to Foster the People at Gallagher Square is an experience I won’t be forgetting anytime soon, and I think it’s safe to say plenty of other San Diego fans walked away feeling the exact same way.