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Arts & Entertainment

Hollywood Goes Crazy for Foster The People at Amoeba

Fans of the Los Angeles-based indie rock band skip out of work and get in line as early as 10 a.m. for a chance to catch a free show at Amoeba Music on Tuesday.

Amoeba Music was taken over by swarms of Foster The People fans who came to see the band perform a free set Tuesday night.

The band, which has sold out two back-to-back dates in Los Angeles in July, wowed crowds at Coachella and is on a headlining tour, celebrated the release of its new CD, Torches, with a performance at Hollywood’s legendary independent music store.

The show kicked off a little after 6:30 p.m. but fans arrived as early as 10 a.m. to see their idols up on stage.

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Patch caught up with some of the most dedicated Foster The People fans, who explained what made them wait in line among the crazy masses in order to catch the show set at Amoeba:

  •  “I got here at 2 p.m.! I saw them yesterday. It was amazing.”  – Lilly Ruiz
  • “I was at work all day but my friend held my place in line and I just sailed in. We saw them last night and we saw them in Santa Barbara a couple months back too.” – Angel Melanson
  • "We are huge fans. We saw them live at Coachella and we’re also going to see them at Outside Lands. My favorite song is 'Helena Beat!' ” – Jazmine Delijani
  • “I’m a pretty big fan. They play awesome music and they are just indescribable. It’s my first time seeing them live!” - Albert Albarez
  • “I got here around 2:30ish today. I saw them at Coachella and they were sick. When I heard they were playing a free show I was so down because the performance at Coachella was so great!” – Jeff Bywater
  • “We saw them crossing the street and we went crazy. We didn’t go up to them, we just screamed out ‘We love you guys!' We’re gonna get in the signing line. We were the first ones in line. We got here at 10 a.m. ... This is our first time seeing them live!"  - Alex Noumer and Isabella Buckman
  • “Mark has done a great job. He’s worked hard and deserves it and it couldn’t have happened to a better nephew. He came out here with his dream when he was 18 years old and he stuck to it, and [with] hard work and determination, he achieved his dream.” – Michael Foster, Matt Foster’s uncle

By the time Foster The People came out on stage, there were an estimated 600 people crammed into the aisles of Amoeba. In addition to the first level being flooded with fans, the upstairs area held many shoppers peering over the balcony. After the venue reached capacity, a line of people who couldn't get in wrapped around the building.

Find out what's happening in Hollywoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

As the band took the stage, the crowd erupted in cheers. Throughout the set, a group of diehard fans near the front showed off Foster The People shoelaces wrapped around their heads as they danced, clapped and sang along to every word.

The group performed a total of seven songs, a mix of fan favorites and tunes off the new album, including: "Warrant," "Houdini," "Color on the Walls," "Helena Beats" and the popular "Pumped Up Kicks."

After the set, fans jumped in line with their copy of Torches to be autographed by the band.

Bellarina Shander was clutching a copy of the album and a drumstick, which she had acquired from the band’s performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live the night before. “The show was great. I’m so sweaty!” said Shander, who posed for a photo before jumping into the autograph line in the hopes of having her drumstick signed.

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