Band Of Horses played a sold out show at The Barrymore Theater Saturday evening. The South Carolina-based band released their fourth studio album, Mirage Rock, in September.
The opener, Jason Lytle, played a mediocre blend of acoustic harmonies and keyboard-looped percussion. Their simple approach to songwriting transferred to their live performance, where minimal stage presence and a lack of shared intimacy with the crowd hindered their ability to maintain a captivated audience.
Band Of Horses, on the other hand, had the entire audience on their feet and rocking within moments of stepping onto the stage. Their performance transferred well from album to live show, with a perfect balance between each musician and a huge sound as the result.
The band was able to play a diverse set, with songs frequently spanning genres—from country, to singer-songwriter, to their signature powerhouse-alternative style. During acoustic numbers, they created a unique,
booming ambiance that not only maintained their anthem-like style, but also allowed for a break from the fist-raising power of their three guitarists. And when they rocked, they ROCKED.
Many numbers climaxed with solos from each band member, showcasing the individual abilities that collectively created a successful live performance. The lead singer, Ben Bridwell, exuded a jovial spark that allowed the other members of the band to loosen up along with him. The dynamic between Bridwell and guitarist/pianist Ryan Monroe often included a call-and-response type of musicality with bass player, Bill Reynolds, often joining in. Layered beneath the strong alternative buzz,this effect was subtle yet quite profound.
The audience looked like they migrated straight from campus, thus a there was a communal sense of positivity at the concert. Instead of the usual rowdy, sloppy and generally belligerent “super fans” found at many concerts, the crowd maintained its composure while still busting out and enjoying Band Of Horses' fantastic set.
Aside from their beautiful balance and blend, it was overwhelmingly refreshing to see a band whose members actually liked each other and could translate that friendship to the stage. It was the bassist's birthday the evening of the show, and to celebrate the
band halted their set, brought out a cake with candles and had everyone at the Barrymore sing “Happy Birthday.” Throughout the performance, the band appeared as though they were generally enjoying themselves, their music and each other, which is a rare quality with touring
bands.
