guest post by TFederspiel
As I’m coming down off that natural high where you see a band you love in every way…I have a moment to share my experience at the Grand Central Station show to all my Band of Horses fans friends here.
Let me start off by saying how fortunate I was to be able to attend the show as it only allowed a sum of about 500 people into the venue. So a big thanks to AOL and Other Records for allowing me this unforgettable opportunity.
We arrived at Grand Central Station at about 5:00pm. As we were walking around the station trying to find the line that supposedly started on 42nd st, I happen to pass some familiar faces just hanging outside. Perhaps taking a cigarette break? Indeed it was Ben Bridwell and the rest of the band except Ryan Monroe just hanging out chatting with one another. I literally had to do a double take. My thought was…”ok this is my chance to say hello and make my presence known to the band as one of their biggest fans”. And so I politely tapped Ben on the shoulder and asked if he would sign my poster. If most of you remember I purchased a gig poster a few months ago of a Portland, Oregan gig that depicted Ben, his dog and a woman in the distance. I brought the sketch of Ben with me “just in case”. Good thing I did.
I started explaining what I had for him to sign and as soon as he saw it he remembered the poster and gladly signed it. As he signed I asked how they were all doing and he said “good good..we just got in from Denmark so we’re a little tired but doing really well”. I then proceeded to tell him about the Odetoboh website. His response was “That’s you? Yeah I know the site” I went on to tell him about Dave and how he found me as a huge BoH fan and that Dave runs the site and that I help contribute. That we have a nice network of other BoH’s fans. I asked if he’s seen the site and he said that he had and that we are doing a wonderful job, that the site is really done well and thanked me for everything and all the kind words and information that we post. I then politely asked for a picture if he didn’t mind and he said “Not at all”. So my dream to meet this wonderful person came true all in about a 10 minute period. The guys then had to start heading inside so he shook my hand, said “very nice meeting you and please tell Dave thanks so much for all that he’s doing”. 
I was completely on cloud nine. I immediately emailed Dave to tell him the good news. How exciting for all of us that the band knows about the site. Who knows..maybe they check in once in awhile. But everyone here should know, the band appreciates their fans true to heart.
Me and my friend then proceeded to get in line with other people who had VIP passes. The doors opened at 5:30 and in we went. Aol gave away a free BoH t-shirt, a poster, and iphone covers. The evening was going well. When we got inside we proceeded to the very front of the stage. Being the first ones into the building we had our choice of where we wanted to stand and I picked smack dab in front of course.
The show was very intimate. The acoustics and sound in this hall were unbelievable. As I watched the guys come out and get settled into their spots I braced myself for what was to come. Being up so close gave me the opportunity to see what a really tight knit family these boys are. Before and after each song they would look to one another with head nods and praises, pats on the back. They really acknowledge one another and make sure each other knows what the other is doing. It was endearing to say the least to see it all in action. I wish I could capture those looks they gave one another but it’s definitely something one must see for themselves.
They opened with Ode to LRC and it sounded awesome. I swear the more these guys play their own tunes the better they get as this was the third time I had gotten to see them. The night proceeded on with tunes from the first two albums and with them playing all the favorites of course including “The Great Salt Lake”, “The Funeral”, “No one’s Gonna Love You”, and “General Specific”. Then Ben put his guitar down to give Tyler the spotlight and they performed Evening Kitchen together. It was to say the least beautifully done.
Each song I heard was making me even happier than the last one. The band played extremely well. They were calm and collective mostly due to the fact that they must have been exhausted since they just flew across an ocean to get here. But then again, this band could never do wrong in my eyes. Seriously, they could come out and say “Thank you gnite!!!” I’d be like…”whhhoooooooooooo”.
The treat for me was when they played “Monsters”. This song is my motto..”If I am lost it’s only for a little while……” When things get bad…I always utter those words in my head and push through it. The fact that Ben plays steel guitar and keeps his right foot tapping to the beat the WHOLE time is so endearing to me. Seriously..that foot never stops. I bet you’ll all watch for that now whenever you see it.
As Creighton handed Ben the tambourine and Drumstick I knew “General Specific” was next. And so it was. And the crowd screamed back every word.
They closed with “The Funeral” and of course that was nothing but a hit home with the crowd.
As they walked off stage there was no encore despite the crowds pleas for one. There was just no time.I’m sure the band had to book it to Toronto for the next days show. They played for a little more than an hour and they played well.
I will never forget this show for as long as I live. the expressions on their faces during each song. The looks to one another as band mates. My meeting Ben and his kind words. my nervousness, my sweaty palms. At least I remembered to ask “How are you guys doing? I mentioned Odetoboh and I also congratulated Ben on his new expecting baby.
This band is a “must see” in every single way I can possibly think of.
I took about 101 pictures which I will post all together up here soon for you all to see so you can all get up close as I was.
I know I’m not a professional writer for some big blogging magazine or website so my review doesn’t mean too much to the world. But I know for true BoH fans, these words I write mean alot to you.
Set list was……
Ode to LRC
Islands On The Coast
The Great Salt lake
Is There a Ghost
Compliments
Factory
Marry
Evening Kitchen
Older
Laredo
General Specific
No One’s Gonna Love You
Infinite Arms
Monsters
The Funeral
Thanks for reading guys!!!!
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Cee-Lo Green, one half of the amazing group Gnarls Barkley, has covered Band of Horses’ epic song “No One’s Gonna Love You” as part of his upcoming solo project. This news was announced just hours ago via Zane Lowe’s Hottest Records blog.
NPR listeners were recently asked to vote on their favorite albums of 2010 (so far), and wouldn’t you know, Infinite Arms was voted into the top 20 (number 16, to be exact)! I think it speaks a lot to the album that it’s been voted to such a high position during a year that has been particularly strong as far as new music is concerned!
