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Band of Horses are not a group you simply stumble across on a night out as you go on a whim to see whoever’s in town. Instead it's a hardcore following who are to happy to discuss how amazing they are. So tonight everyone crammed inside the Ritz’s dilapidated walls and sticky carpets are fanatics in the very sense of the word, bringing the appreciation and awe for these beard heavy yanks to unprecedented levels.
With three albums to date, it was their debut Everything All The Time that received the most recognition from critics, thanks to its emotive and tuneful Americana. Tonight’s show touches on all three, as well as testing out some new material.
Older favourites such as ‘Is There A Ghost?’ and ‘No Ones Gonna Love You’ are performed impeccably with Ben Bridwell’s constantly arching vocals continuing to reach the notes against the steely guitars and natural momentum that ensues.
‘The Funeral’ arguably their most well known song, due to its use on TV, adds a bit of light-hearted banter to proceedings when at the crucial point between the crashing cymbal and guitars stopping and Bridwell quietly playing back in, he fluffed it, lost his rhythm and began laughing before announcing “Fuck it man, it was my picks fault”. It’s a warming sign from a band who are so tight, that when they make a mistake, it’s taken with good jest.
As much of a well organised posse Band of Horses are, it’s Bridwell that is their spokesman, comedian and general instigator with crowd interaction. “We’ve been on tour constantly for 66 days straight now, and this is the first time we have felt right to play some new stuff” Bridwell announces, before “if that’s alright with you guys”, adding the feel of a one off show removed from their global tour.
Frequent song requests are shouted from the crowd, and with a set galloping over an hour, the sweaty, chequered shirt wearing group are more than happy to oblige.
With new album following suit on previous, in that its packed with melody rich alternative country gems, only means that almost all the album is played tonight. ‘Compliments’ made for radio joyfulness, the wistful Americana of ‘Laredo’, and the delicate acoustics of ‘Infinite Arms’ are all aired to vigorous applause.
‘Dilly’ which is as close to conventional pop as the Horses dare to tread, is a highlight, its both chirpy, and catchy and points directly to the Neil Young reference when some critics describe their sound. TAGS: Band of Horses, The Ritz Words by: Andy Best |
