How can I put into words the meaning behind the music that is Band of Horses? After reading review after review….after review….after review….one struggles with originality to describe a show and actually capture the way you felt when you were there. Only people who have been to see them “get it”.  When I first heard of the cancellation of the Kings of Leons tour, my heart sank. Just like a large percentage of the people who bought tickets…I was only going because of Band of Horses. However…knowing the band’s back ground and the type of fellas they are…including management…I hoped that they would find a way to make it happen. And sure enough….my wish came true. See..all good things DO come to those who wait. And thus brings us to the August 10th show at the Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC. Not only did they keep their rendezvous with NY…they kept the exact date. And believe me..to be able to book a show on that short of notice at ANY venue in NYC….is practically impossible. Unless your Band of Horses that is.To me…that says alot about the band. Living in New York is challenging each and every day.To make your way through the business, the craziness, the hustle , the sometimes not so nice people I often ask myself “why do I live here?”. But these guys showed up with smiles on all their faces and more “thank yous” to everyone there than anyone could possibly imagine. They rocked the Hammerstein as if they had waited their whole lives to play there.

How disappointing for them must it had been when they realized that KOL was going to bail? How can you not love a band that follows through with a tour when the headliner cancels? Where does one even begin to make that happen? I’m guessing that the fans were the first thought in their head and the fact they wouldn’t be able to do what they love.Make people happy. Of course the money helps to pay the bills and allows them to travel across the world but….it’s evident when Ben speaks to the crowd, that the band isn’t there because they have to be.They’re there because they want to be. He’s there because of his passion for music and wanting to make people happy. I’ve seen many many a bands in my time, and I have never felt like a band was there for the crowd and not for themselves as much as I do when I see Band of Horses.

If you’ve been following BoH for awhile, then you can see the difference in a show just two years ago to a show now. Ben Bridwell has turned into this front man that went from shy and modest to getting right out there, engaging the crowd, leading the band onward into success. The thing that I admire about the band is that every single interview I see, the band is always positive, always excited about what they are doing and eager to talk to the crowd. Even after answering the same questions over and over again, Ben always answers with such positive motivation and integrity, you can’t help but admire the guy. When the band is on stage, there is such an exuberant amount of energy in the air that it just rubs off into the crowd. They all literally look like they are having a good time and not “working” the crowd. I feel like I’m in the presence of them playing in a smaller venue, though it might be a “ballroom” and I got a special invite….. it’s just that up close and personal. The band is there for you and they make you feel like without the fans, they wouldn’t be where they are today.

Hammerstein’s show was nothing less than what I thought it would be. Outstanding. Surprises. Old songs. New Ones. Jokes told…old concerts remembered….”Where’s Andrew? I miss that guy!”. At some point in the middle of the show Ben Announced “We’re starting to record the next album…..TOMORROW!!!!” He said it was a bit earlier than planned but  “Our tour got FUCKED!!!” and thus recording began on August 11th. Imagine how excited the crowd was to hear that. I wanted to share that with you all here at Ode to BoH. The band’s been busy trying not to let their fans down, booking more and more shows. Of course they won’t be able to hit every town or city that missed them…but they are definitely trying their hardest to make it happen. So be patient my little grasshoppers. And if they come CLOSE to your town but not close enough, I implore you, make the drive and go see them. Kings Of Leon cancelling, may have been the best thing that ever happened for Band of Horses and because of this effort to keep their commitments, this may excel them to the level of greatness. Not that they aren’t already in my eyes but…..you know what I mean.