Well that was eventful. We had broken bass strings, song restarts, in ear monitor issues, a drunk idiot in front of us getting into a fight with security and that was just the opening twenty minutes.
Enough of that I should start by saying that Band of Horses are one of, if not my favourite contemporary band still performing. Whilst this isn’t for me the best line-up that had the great Tyler Ramsey on guitar and vocals there are always sublime moments in every gig where they hit those eight or nine absolute classic killer tracks. Tonight is no exception.
First up is Gently Tender though who provide an excellent opening slot with their five part harmonies that really bring their fine debut album to life. The set was partially spoilt by a small group of guys who wanted to chat throughout the set who were involved to a small degree with the latter fracas.
The set tonight goes right back the beginning with a good selection from ‘Everything all the time’. The sound is spot on which is not always the case in the Roundhouse and the trick is to get there early so you can be closer to the stage both to improve the view and the sound. There’s a stop start to one track as bassist Matt Gentling had to change guitars after a broken string but it’s just a brief road bump as they crack on from verse two.
Around this time there was this drunk guy who kept walking around the front of the crowd bumping into people confronting anyone who made a comment. He joined the four guys mentioned earlier in a mini mosh pit and it was clear it was going to kick off at some stage. Someone reported to him to security who came out to have a word and after literally a word or two he threw a punch and before you know it they were grappling on the floor. The band briefly stopped to check everyone was OK and once the guy was removed though there was collective sigh and we could all properly enjoy the rest of the gig.
Integrating new songs into their impressive back catalogue is always a challenge as the bar is so high but the three new tracks slotted in very well. What follows next is though is just great song after great song with the likes of ‘NW Apt’, ‘Laredo’, ’The General Specific’, ‘The Funeral’, ‘Is There a Ghost’ to name just a few. Just brilliant, the band sounded good, Bridwell’s voice was strong although he was suffering from sweaty ears as his monitors kept falling out.
It’s all over before you know and maybe because of all the issues on the night it’s just a one song encore before curfew but it doesn’t take away from a super show from a band back on form.
Keep on rockin’ y’all.