Band of Horses @ The GovernorHindmarsh, Adelaide (22/07/10)

Fri 23rd Jul, 2010 in Gig Reviews

CHECK OUT ALL THE PHOTOS HERE.

Opening band, Mike Noga & the Gentlemen Fortune, started off a little lazily. By which I refer (naturally) to a slight, Blues Explosion-esque swagger. With a slight protest influence, perhaps. At least in that one song.

Further into the set, if it gets just a little more country, well…they are opening for Band of Horses, and those lads have a fine amount of beard between them. So now Jayne’s feeling slightly south of the border, and later Paul Kelly saunters by, by way of Burt Bacharach (it’s the snare rims, you see) with an overnight stay in Nashville.

We’ve never been to Nashville.

Digression.

We’d probably describe Mike Noga & the Gentlemen Fortune as a solid, workhorse, beard-related opener. The crowd weren’t ecstatic, but it really wasn’t that kind of a crowd. It was blissfully chilled-out tonight at The Gov, with everyone really quietly psyched to be there. And a lack of raw ecstasy by no means indicates a lack of appreciation—there was none of the mass exodus to the bar and beer garden that haunts many an average or really misplaced support act. The Gentlemen held the crowd well, gently warming them for…

BAND OF HORSES!

So we started off the set with the beer garden to ourselves. It was nice. Cold. Advantage: the sound isn’t bad and you can see better than you can if you get stuck with three tall dudes standing right in front of you (perpetual curse of the shortarse!)

Disadvantage: it’s a little blurry and you can’t tell whether or not the band is having a wonderful time. Are they blissed-out? Are they sulky? Are they glad they came? Really, from back here all we have is a hazy impression of hair and beard.

The band opened with a sparse introduction to Cease To Begin’s Ode to LRC. The band kicked in about half way through. The band was tight, but just that little bit loose.

Sensory Impression #1: Hmmmmm…warm.

Sensory Impression #2: Still much hair and beard.

Also, there is a really impressive crowd considering fellow-beardsters (and Triple J Hottest 100 superstars) Mumford & Sons are playing at the exact same time at the Thebbie, thus potentially extracting a number of fans. Competition for the beard crowd is hot tonight, people.

They covered the entire discography, with songs from all three albums getting a guernsey. There were a few songs which got louder cheers, the loudest reserved for No One’s Gonna Love You, singalong included. The 5-piece band kept things interesting by switching between keys and guitar (with three guitarists for set highlight Is There A Ghost), and the guitar tech lending a hand on extra guitar during the set. On recent single Loredo, lead singer Ben Bridwell put down his guitar and took up the role of awkward frontman, often standing back towards the drummer. A cover of The Replacements’ classic Can’t Hardly Wait was delivered with enthusiasm.

Sensory Impresion #3: They seem like shy boys, but pleased to be here. They played a great set and it was a killer night. We’ve been thrashing the BOH’s discography for a good while now, and are loving hearing these songs live at last. Also: stubbie holders. Thankyou, Band of Horses. Move over, Willalooka Tavern Bottle Shop & Store stubbie holder, we have a new favourite caresser of summertime beverages. Awesome!

Sidenote: Phwoar! Can we please have their guitar collection?

CHECK OUT ALL THE PHOTOS HERE.