Review: Band Of Horses

Seattle band kick-started tour in London with a double encore

09 July 2008 - The seated balcony and initially static crowd of the Shepherd’s Bush Empire theatre was a world away from the excitable Band Of Horses following, that packed out the John Peel tent at their Glastonbury show on 28 June.

And it did take a few songs for the Seattle country rockers to warm into the set - with vocalist Ben Bridwell’s vocals getting somewhat lost as their big opening songs, The Great Salt Lake and Is There A Ghost, gained momentum.

But as they gained focus and the frontman’s words became more audible, the set went from strength to strength – slowly reigning the audience in.

A man of many, ‘woah’s’, and, ‘thank you, we love you’s’, but precious few other words into the microphone meant that I couldn’t detect the track names of the showcased new material.

But with the use of a harmonica, melodica and the layered harmonies of other band members’ voices - all of their previewed songs were very well received. And there was a real sense of excitement at the prospect of a third album amongst the crowd - who whooped on Bridwell’s introductions.

Half way through the set, after one or two songs which left my attention wavering, Band Of Horses played Funeral from their debut, and their latest album’s hit No One's Gonna Love You, in succession - completely re-energising the adoring fans.

As the swirling lights and disco ball reflections beamed from behind the group, out over the audience - it would have been impossible to resist their uplifting melodies and the country rock leanings of a new song which followed the epic couplet.

"I’m impressed that such a country style rock and roll band is so well received in the UK and it’s actually really inspiring."
Band Of Horses Fan

On some tracks the guitarist and the jolly-faced keyboardist took over on vocals – which came as a welcome break from Bridwell’s distinctive voice – sentiments which were confirmed by one punter after the gig.

He told 6 Music that he found the set a somewhat dragging evening of samey singing: “It was hard to differentiate one track from the other, but it’s not really my kinda music so perhaps it’s not a fair assessment - but I found his voice irritating. They are ok.”

However, the rest of the venue seemed happy enough to stick around and see the band through two encores.

During the first, a smattering of lighters were wavered in the air and as Bridwell moved down to the barrier, he leaned back into the crowds’ arms, greeted like an alt country Messiah.

Basking in the hue of the yellow lights and smoke, Bridwell continued to sing as fans gathered around, arms in the air as if he had just descended from outer space.

Prompted by a standing ovation from the balconies, excessive stamping and rapturous chanting, they finished second time around with Monster from the first album Everything All The Time .

Band Of Horses’ potent mix of enchanting melodies and Bridwell’s haunting vocals throughout the 19 song set left me and I believe, the majority of the audience, satisfied.

After the gig, one Band Of Horses first-timer, Chris from London, told 6 Music: “I thought they might have been suffering from a bit of big gig tiredness at the beginning and they were belting a bit, but they settled down and the control came in. They’re obviously really good musicians and I just loved the variety. It was brilliant.”

Georgie Rogers