The Seattle five-piece have built their foundations around four albums of chilled out southern rock that even your mum could bop along to, but their Big Day Out sideshow proved otherwise.
Speaking of the parentals, support act Mike Noga, most famous for his drumming credentials with The Drones, began the evening; his band playing tunes reminiscent of a record you would have stolen from your dad’s collection, something that should be passed down for future lineage.
That’s not an age jibe, but an endorsement. With songs from Noga’s solo discography making up the set, including those from his latest The Balladeer Hunter, his contemporary folk was bolstered by the backing band.
For Band Of Horses, 2012 saw the band release their fourth LP – the much maligned Mirage Rock – and rather than focusing on mostly new material, as some live acts do, the band spread their set across their discography.
With only four tracks coming from their latest, the band churned out songs mostly from their first two records, Everything All The Time and Cease To Begin.
Lead singer Ben Bridwell casually walked on stage with his cap on – something which would provide entertainment throughout the night as he fought to keep it on – beginning with an acoustic rendition of ‘St. Augustine’.
It would follow into three of the band’s most popular songs; ‘The Great Salt Lake’, ‘Is There A Ghost’ and ‘Laredo’. All tracks from their first three records, the first half of their show acted as a greatest hits-of-sorts.
While the band are notorious for their laid-back vibes, it was a far cry for those expecting the music to be as chilled as the set’s serene backdrop – a lake was littered with trees.
At times they were too loud, to the point where the end of the night brought the realisation that your eardrums had just endured a beating.
But the faults of Band Of Horses’ Melbourne show can purely be put down to an unfortunate mismatch between act and venue, caused by the various other Big Day Out sideshows being played across the city that night.
The energy of the guitars were seemingly at odds with the audience as a stunted atmosphere was created due to the crowd being made lazy from the comfort and convenience of seating.
In this environment, with what is essentially a rock outfit, “it’s hard to get wild”, as Birdwell himself expressed.
Therefore during set highlights such as ‘Infinite Arms’ and ‘The Funeral’, it was difficult for the audience to elicit an emotional response, no matter how much they were enjoying the show.
Although that’s with little discredit to Band Of Horses, who displayed the excellent musicianship that you expected from a band that could draw numbers large enough to (almost) fill the Palais Theatre.
Keys player Ryan Monroe at one stage even flung his guitar over his head, with a roadie there to catch it, it was easy to see that the band have honed their live show well.
Monroe also took lead on vocals on the cover of The Hour Glass’ ‘Ain’t No Good To Cry’, while a rendition of Neil Young’s ‘Powderfinger’ was also included in their varying setlist.
Coming back for a two song encore, an acoustic performance of ‘No One’s Gonna Love You’ demonstrated just how close to perfect Birdwell’s vocals actually are.
But closing abruptly on ‘The General Specific’, left one feeling slightly unfulfilled and wanting more.
