Putting the “Band” in Band of Horses

Band of Horses at the House of Blues. | Photo by Vijayta Narang

Being in a band is like being in a relationship – or so I’m told. If this is the case, the guys in Band of Horses appear to be in it for the long haul. (Several knocks on wood here.) Their performance at the House of Blues Boston on Sunday night proved that this band loves the stage, and more importantly, each other.

Never has a band appeared so at ease with itself. While lead singer Ben Bridwell tossed casual jokes at the crowd, he gave us a taste of his dry sense of humor before launching into “Ode to LRC.” When he wasn’t playing guitar, his arms were wrapped around the mic like it was an old friend. At one point Bridwell let keyboardist and guitarist Ryan Monroe take the lead. “Have a good song, man!” he said, before sauntering across the stage, trading his guitar for a tambourine.

Ben Bridwell and Tyler Ramsey of Band of Horses. | Photo by Vijayta Narang

They channeled a strong Southern vibe throughout, complete with projected images of rolling hills and ranches on a screen behind them. To say that they played with feeling would be an understatement. Their energetic riffs paired with Bridwell’s passionately intense vocals came together in one of the best live shows I’ve seen.

If they wanted the crowd to feel something, they certainly put in 120% effort, and I don’t just mean emotionally. At points, the bass lines in a couple of songs were so intense that I felt it physically. My friend turning to me wide-eyed in the middle of the song, was proof enough that I wasn’t the only one who felt the reverberations. Needless to say, this band knows how to make a point.

Their two-hour long set was a good mix of old and new. Well-loved songs like “Cigarette’s, Wedding Bands,” and “Funeral” were interspersed with tracks off their latest album, “Mirage Rock.” Pre-show research revealed that they’ve been changing their setlist up pretty drastically for every show on the tour, which isn’t something seen very often for live performances. Needless to say, it was refreshing not knowing what to expect. Admittedly, the one-song encore was a little disappointing, but whether it was because of minor technical issues, or a subdued crowd, we’ll never know. But hey, encores used to be that optional thing tagged on at the end, right?

It’s hard for me to say what was the highlight of the show, but when a seasoned band like Band of Horses is concerned, I’d say this is a good thing.

About Vijayta Narang

Vijayta is a film student who shamelessly indulges in music, art, and other vices through the QUAD. She is an ardent lover of coffee, fantasy novels, and sweaters,

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