After the Railroad Revival, (a quirky and old fashioned testament to traveling American rock,) tour was cancelled this fall, Ben Birdwell and crew decided, “well since we’re scheduled to go to these cities anyway let’s put on our own show.” Personally I’ve always had a warm heart for Band of Horses, initially watching them back in 2006 at Phoenix’s Rhythm Room, where a group of guys that looked like the last shower or meal they had was from a few thousand miles in the opposite direction. After that show I was able to meet up with them, which they were excited to see anyone talk to them afterwards. Their southern hospitality knew no bounds, as they sat, smoked, (effectively giving me my first cigarette…whoops,) and drank with my brother and I. Within the span of the next year, I would see them playing at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, where once again I was able to run into Ben, a moment which was made more surreal when he recounted our last session a year prior. Why is any of this relevant? Well frankly it may not be, but it does illustrate the point, that these guys have a respect and adherence for where they come from, and who supports them. To watch them in their career up to date has been something inspiring; knowing that acting kind and humble can actually take you somewhere is nothing short of mesmerizing in a world that often teaches you otherwise.
At the beginning of the night I kept racking my brain trying to remember if they had come through since the last time I saw them in the Rhythm Room, throughout the night Ben would make references to the fact that it had been 6 years since the last time they had come to Phoenix, there was a sincere apologetic tone in his voice as he could tell that they were loved here, but for whatever reason Phoenix was always relegated to another tour. With a smile and a warm spirit these good ol’ country boys kept the rhythm going throughout the night. BOH has always had that Country/ Americana Rock sound to their music, but over the years it’s definitely been a side that they’ve fed into more, for better or worst this is their sound, and they know how to make it work.
Keeping in tradition with that good old southern feel, the entire show felt like a great town dance, there was a personal feel to the night despite the Marquee being packed to capacity. Too often is the case when going to concerts now-a-days, (at least in Arizona,) audiences are lackadaisical, standing unimpressed despite how they may actually feel… yeah I see your toe tapping, just dance already… Ben and gang were able to get pretty much everyone in attendance up and moving.
Adding yet another great performance to memory, Band of Horses definitely seem to be at a point, where even there bad shows, (however those may go,) are still great shows to watch. Not every song is perfect, but when there’s a mistake they’re accustomed to laughing it off while playing through, an admirable quality, and quite enjoyable to watch. As they openly acknowledged and took responsibility in not coming through AZ in the last 6 years, hopefully they’ll decide to come back soon.
- The First Song
- Laredo
- The Great Salt Lake
- Islands on the Coast
- NW Apt.
- Electric Music
- Ain’t No Good to Cry
(The Hour Glass cover)
- Blue Beard
- Cigarettes, Wedding Bands
- On My Way Back Home
- Marry Song
- Everything’s Gonna Be Undone
- Older
- Knock Knock
- A Little Biblical
- No One’s Gonna Love You
- Is There a Ghost
- Weed Party
- Ode to LRC
- The Funeral
- Encore:
(Them Two cover)