Band of Horses @ ABC
They can't be everything all the time, but in this moment, Band of Horses are all that matter
Having risen beyond the foetal crouch of his early days as Band of Horses frontman, Ben Bridwell stands tall, tattooed and seriously bearded before a sold-out ABC, looking every bit ready to meet the measure of expectancy which now surrounds his band. As opener Is There a Ghost seismically shifts from its shimmering hymnal intro to shake the very foundations, the crowd push forward and move every so slightly closer to their momentary deities. For this evening, Band of Horses are stepping up and beyond all expectation, as they take the good and make it truly great. The difference is that Bridwell is no longer cautiously suggesting that you listen to what he has to offer; he's demanding it, and that belief, for tonight anyway, makes his music transcendental. They can't be everything all the time, but, in this moment, Band of Horses are all that matter. [Paul Neeson]