Band of Horses at Coliseu de Lisboa – Riding Lesson in a semi-nude riding arena
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They no longer motivate us like they did in the early years. But they still know how to give a good concert.
It will not be cause for great recognition that the Coliseu dos Recreios It is the most emblematic theater in the country. It’s usually reserved for the big guys, or for bands in peak form. Rare are the times when the house is not full. But lately such has no regret. wolf alice🇧🇷 cut copy and this week the bunch of horses, are just three examples where half a house or less was seen. Casting error? Oversupply? Effects of freedom? Room at balance price? We don’t know But it’s still disconcerting to enter a room at 25% occupancy, as befits in the case of Band of Horses.
We also recognize that full houses are no guarantee of great concerts. And if the venue to see Band of Horses wasn’t full, that wasn’t an impediment to, in our opinion, the band giving the best of the four concerts it’s played here. The last album, things are greatedited already this year, recovered a little of the original sound of the band, and was the pretext for another European tour, whose last stop was precisely Lisbon.
At the appointed time (and punctuality is applauded, something not always valued here), the band appears on stage to the sound of “Every 1’s a Winner”, by hot chocolate, in a, we think, clear statement of intent. And, although there weren’t many, all those who were present were winners.
Band of Horses never reached the level of notoriety of other American bands that emerged in the 00s. But a band of Ben Bridwellthe only constant member of the Band of Horses, had a very promising start, until two excellent first albums (special mention for all all the time2006, at the time cataloged with the Best New Music label of fork🇧🇷 Both continue to feed a good part of the guarantee of their concerts. From the first one we hear, for example, the beautiful slide guitar of “The First Song”, with Ben’s characteristic little tuned voice being present. From the second, there was no shortage of “Is There a Ghost”, with its gentle initial strumming culminating in a discharge of energy, in one of the best songs of the band. In the meantime, in a clear return to origins, the new single “Warning Signs” did not disappoint either (praise the excellent acoustics throughout the concert).
Ben Bridwell always knew how to personify our American truck driver imagery of the flannel shirt, bent bone, and unkempt beard. But always friendly. It presents, between songs, the remaining elements of the band (Ryan Monroe on the keys, Creighton Barrett on battery, Matt Kind no bass and Brett Nash on the guitar – everyone, without exception, seems to be having fun on stage) and to be grateful for being there. In return, one of the best sequences of the concert serves us: we move from the imagery of “The Great Salt Lake”, to the heartbreak of “No One’s Gonna Love You”, from there to the old lady “Islands on the Coast” (with its domesticated gallop), and then into the matchmaking “Marry Song” (in a more electric than disco version). There is no way to be disappointed.
Highlight for the beautiful country-rock duet between Ben Bridwell and Ryan Monroe (another of the oldest elements). It’s hard not to invite your partner to dance (and several did). We realize that Band of Horses is the perfect example of a band for both members of the couple to enjoy.
Before the usual false encore ceremonial, a respectful silence preceded his great song (only interrupted by one or another mental retard). That and dozens of cell phones held in the air (more than applause, today we measure the popularity of a song by the number of screens in the air). “The Funeral” is one of those great songs, made up of crescendos and descrescendos, in a ride of drums culminating in a discharge of guitars. Very pretty.
For the encore an interesting version of “Never Tear Us Apart” by INXSand “The General Specific”, which transported us to a hall of the old wild wild westwith tambourine and bouncy piano included.
They’re not the best band in the world. They no longer motivate us like they did in the early years. But they still know how to give a good concert. They were right – we all came out winners.
Pictures of: Joao Padinha