Then late last year lead single Inhaler from the barnstorming third LP Holy Fire hit and things were never quite the same. Foals, lead by frontman Yannis Philippakis (above), hit the ground running.

Their first album, Antidotes, reached number three in the UK charts back in 2007, and was produced in New York with TV On The Radio’s Dave Sitek, although the band didn’t like his take on their sound and so decided to mix the record themselves.

They followed that up with Total Life Forever three years later, which was less funky and drew more on their math-rock influences and won them a Mercury Prize nom in the process. But with Holy Fire they’ve made the move from uppity indie folks to full-on rock gods.

As a calling card for the album, Inhaler roars out of the speakers like a distortion-savaged Jane’s Addiction, full of stomping riffs and talismanic attitude made for slaying the festival crowds – which it undoubtedly will this summer. Holy Fire more than lived up to this furious taster, too, hitting the top of the album charts Down Under earlier this year as well. 

They’ve been touring the States since the start of the year but they’re back over here now with two shows in one day at Royal Albert Hall – an evening gig and a demand-driven matinee. Watch this space, the Foals are going to rule in 2013!

Royal Albert Hall, SW7 2AP
March 28 | Doors at 2.45pm & 7.30pm |  £25+  
Tube | South Kensington  
foals.co.uk

Photo: Getty