(words by dave, pics by jodi ann)

Honestly, this is the first time since I started this site that I really don’t know where to even begin.  To say that Jodi and I had a great time at Band of Horses’ show last night in Indianapolis would be a grievous understatement.  I can’t describe it as anything less than a once-in-a-lifetime kind of experience.

First, a slightly off-topic shout-out.  Jodi and I showed up pretty early so we could take Indy in a little bit, and managed to find ourselves at the Mass Ave Toy Shop.  This place had some of the coolest and most unique toys I’ve ever seen (and the first time I’ve seen some of them outside the greatest Christmas movie of all time, “A Christmas Story.”)  So if you ever find yourself near Massachusetts Avenue in Indy, make it a point to drop in.   The people are cool and the experience is unique!

Anyway, on to the show!

Jodi and I took up residence stage right, directly in front of one of the massive stacks of speakers that were going to be used for the show.  The Egyptian Room is a beautiful venue, with decor that very artfully reflects the name thereof.

After hanging around and anticipating for a little while, I had the distinct pleasure of finally getting to meet panjok2.  This gentleman has got to be one of the biggest Band of Horses fans out there and has been in touch with me through odetoboh since almost day one.  Recently he made his own video for Infinite Arms’ title track, which you should do yourself the favor of checking out.  He is a really cool individual, and it was amazing to finally get to meet someone from the site in person.

[singlepic id=346 w=400 h=420 float=right]At one point in our conversation he mentioned how he’d gotten the chance to meet Ben a little earlier that day, and that he’d asked if the band could break out their cover of Gram Parsons’ epic “A Song For You” at the show later on.  I mentally crossed my fingers, as I love Band of Horses’ version of that song, too!

Suffice to say that meeting panjok2 was a great way to start the evening, and that the rest of the night would continue on in the same vain!

The show officially started whenx The Besnard Lakes made their way on stage.  I think the best word that I could use to describe their set would be…immersive.  Their sound live is incredibly layered and textural, creating the same kind of psychedelic and progressive sounding dream-rock that made the nineties such an awesome time for music.  That is not to say that they simply lifted a page from that chapter of musical history and are using it for their own–they absolutely have their own sound and signature.  Suffice to say that, at various times, they reminded me of Radiohead (in their OK Computer era), Belly, Pink Floyd, Sigur Ros, and Godspeed You! Black Emperor.  I’ve not a bad word to say about their music, and you probably wouldn’t either

[singlepic id=348 w=420 h=340 float=right]After a brief break and a set change-out, Band of Horses came on stage!  They opened up with the most appropriate “The First Song,” and it was evident from the get-go that we in the crowd were in for a great night of music!  As with every other show of their’s I’ve been to, it was plain to see how much fun the guys were having on-stage.  Every member exchanged smiles throughout, and even though this was my third show, it was still just as refreshing as the first time I’d seen them to observe how happy they seemed just to be there, rockin out.  At some point during the show, it re-occurred to me that what they are doing is damn hard work, and it just made it that much better for me that they had such a positive energy on-stage.  A lot of bands I’ve seen in the past seemed disengaged from their own shows, but Band of Horses was the polar opposite.

[singlepic id=344 w=270 h=190 float=left]I also felt kind of lucky that we stood where we did last night.  At the Nashville show, Jodi and I were stage left, in front of Ben and Tyler, but last night in Indy, we were stage right, in front of Bill and Ryan.  Though no member of the band was ever lacking in enthusiasm or energy, it seems safe to say that each guy brings their own signature style to the stage.  Ben’s intensity and Tyler’s more mellow and emotional side were a great experience in Nashville.  Last night, though, Bill’s unabashed passion and Ryan’s outright happiness were right in front of us for the whole set, and it was awesome to watch.  On top of that, each member of the band interacted with each other the whole time, another refreshing characteristic of their shows.  And, please, let’s not forget about Creighton.  I couldn’t take my eyes off the dude, at the end of “The Funeral,” when he regaled us in the audience with what could have been one of the coolest, bashin-est, most emotional drum endings in the history of rock.

[singlepic id=345 w=490 h=310 float=right]All in all, the show was just mindblowing.  The setlist was spot-on, and it is evident that the guys have really, really, really come into their own on-stage.  Of particular note here is their cover of Cee-Lo’s “Georgia,” which, while it’s amazing on track, is just life-changing on-stage.  When Ben and Ryan harmonize on the high notes of the chorus, you almost have to pinch yourself.  It’s leaves you marveling at the fact that those dudes are actually hitting those notes.  No Autotune, no b.s.  It’s a credit to their talent as vocalists to hear them just nail it live.

Also, my buddy panjok2 got his wish.  At one point in the show, Ben approached the mic and recounted the conversation he’d had with my buddy from odetoboh, and proceeded to fill the Egyptian Room with a plainly beautiful version of “A Song For You.”  I’m sure it made my friend’s whole day, and made the experience great for him.  Yea, buddy!

[singlepic id=347 w=420 h=340 float=left]At the end of the show, it was my turn to have my day made.  I’d been invited to go backstage and meet the band after the show!

Walking backstage I was, admittedly, something of a bundle of nerves.  But when I finally met the guys I quickly realized whatever nervousness I felt was very, very misplaced.  As cool and classy as I’d come to think of them as being from all the reading I’ve done about them, they were a hundred times as much when I met them.  I have experience in these things, and I believe I can say with some authority that they are the most accommodating, appreciative, and down to earth folks in music right now.  No joke.  There is not an ounce of rock-star b.s. between all five of them.  We talked about the show, odetoboh, and traded some stories, and then it was time to go.  I came away with the feeling that I’d just met a group of guys that were incredibly thankful to be doing what they’re doing, and who love their fans as much as they love the music they’re playing.  More than once the guys mentioned how much they try to really connect with the audience and really try to put it all out there at every show.

All I can say in return is, “Mission accomplished, gentlemen.”

I am not joking when I say you need to see these guys live.  Seriously, you will kick your own ass if you don’t.  They are that good, both technically and artistically, and now that I’ve had a chance to chat with them for a little bit, I can tell you without any doubt in my mind that they are a group of guys really worth rooting for.

I really hope you’re having a great day out there…now get some tickets to a Band of Horses show!  :)