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- Two exclusive nights: dates, cities and ticket windows
- Why now: the band explains pulling Feels back into the spotlight
- What the anniversary releases revealed
- Why Feels has been rare in setlists
- How the live Feels will differ from studio and reissues
- Setlist context: from Merriweather Post Pavilion to Strawberry Jam
- Practical tips for fans planning to attend
Animal Collective will stage two rare headline nights to celebrate their landmark 2006 record Feels, performing the album from start to finish in New York City and Los Angeles. Fans in both cities can expect a focused, intimate revisit of one of the group’s most beloved records, plus a few extra tracks from that era.
Two exclusive nights: dates, cities and ticket windows
The band announced shows in New York City and Los Angeles only. These are limited events, not a full tour. Organizers say scheduling constraints made a wider run impossible.
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- Artist and local pre-sales begin Thursday, September 10 at 10:00 a.m. local time.
- General on-sale opens Friday at 10:00 a.m. local time.
Expect high demand given the rarity of full-album performances and the album’s devoted fanbase.
Why now: the band explains pulling Feels back into the spotlight
Animal Collective framed the decision as overdue. When the band reissued Feels for its anniversary, fans asked why the group wasn’t performing the record live. The members realized they had never seriously explored that option.
With schedules finally aligning, they chose to mark the album’s birthday by actually playing it live. The group also promised to sprinkle in additional material from the mid-2000s, offering context for the LP within their live set.
What the anniversary releases revealed
Last year’s releases revived interest in Feels and paved the way for these shows.
- Feels 20th Anniversary — a reissue featuring a bonus disc of nine B-sides and unreleased demos.
- FEELSLive 04/05 — a live collection of performances from 2004 and 2005.
Those editions highlighted both the album’s original textures and the era’s live energy. They also reminded listeners how formative Feels was to Animal Collective’s sound.
Why Feels has been rare in setlists
For many years, songs from Feels were rarely played live. Band members have pointed to personal reasons and evolving tastes. Avey Tare has said some songs are tied to a past relationship, making them emotionally difficult to revisit.
Still, recent tours saw the group reintegrate a few Feels tracks. Bringing songs like “Banshee Beat” back into rotation helped reignite the band’s connection to the material.
How the live Feels will differ from studio and reissues
Expect faithful renditions but also live reinterpretations. The band hinted they will play the record in sequence and add a handful of contemporaneous tracks. Fans should be ready for a blend of nostalgia and fresh performance choices.
- Album performed start-to-finish.
- Additional songs from the mid-2000s era.
- Possible rare live arrangements drawn from the FEELSLive recordings.
Setlist context: from Merriweather Post Pavilion to Strawberry Jam
Animal Collective’s live focus has often favored material from Merriweather Post Pavilion and Strawberry Jam. That history makes a full Feels performance notable. It highlights a distinct phase in their catalog and gives fans a chance to hear an album that’s been out of rotation.
Band members say revisiting a record in full can change how they relate to the songs, especially after years of performing other eras of their work.
Practical tips for fans planning to attend
- Register for artist and venue pre-sales to improve your chances.
- Set alarms for 10:00 a.m. local time on both pre-sale and general sale days.
- Expect limited resale availability; buy only from official sources.
Those living outside New York or Los Angeles were acknowledged by the band. They said they wish more fans could attend and that future opportunities might arise depending on how these shows go.
