Trädgå'rn - Saturday April 17. A few less beards than expected, but the crowd sure was filled with check shirts at Trädgår'n on Saturday night. The gig, which had a thousand tickets on offer, sold out in only 8 minutes. Expectations were high.
Band of horses' guitarist Tyler Ramsey, was the support act doing his solo thing. How can such a big man, he must be at least 2 metres tall, play such beautiful intricate guitar? He was really impressive. Just him and a guitar, playing some slow finger-picked ballads with slightly Neil Youngesque meets Band of horses vocal melodies - slow but beautiful.
But 1000 people didn't pack Trädgårn to see Tyler Ramsey. On to the show.
Frontman Ben Bridwell led out his Band of horses sporting a pair of slacks and a black sports coat. No flannel-shirt or cowboy hat this time in. "It's great to be back in Sweden". With a stomp of the foot from Bridwell it was game on - The Great Salt Lake.
My gosh that voice. It brings an instant smile to my face. It's high pitched, crystal clear, and angelic. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Back that up with some classic indie/country-rock guitar and some great vocal melodies and what you have is a great live act - their albums don't do them justice.
I first saw this band at Way out West last year, and they were equally as good. But one thing different this time in (probably because it was their own show) was that they mixed it up a lot more. Sure there was the slow-mid tempo rock, but then there was also a country ballad led by keyboardist/guitarist Ryan Monro, a beautiful duet (Bridwell and Ramsey), and a high tempo classic 70's rock song to finish things up (Sugarcube - apparently the bands favourite song). They all worked.
"We can't just play the old ones" said Bridwell as they unleashed a newie Factory. This was a cracker of a song. Beautiful, enough said.
