Led by frontman Ben Bridwell, the Seattle-bred rock band brought the tour behind its latest album, “Why Are You OK,” to the Orbit Room on Wednesday. (Review, photo gallery)
Not a “Casual Party”: Ben Bridwell and Band of Horses played to a capacity crowd on Wednesday night. (Photo/Anna Sink)
Band of Horses Frontman Ben Bridwell opened up Wednesday’s concert at The Orbit Room in Grand Rapids with the simplest of guitar riffs: a slow burning, melancholy loop of finger-picked chords.
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But add the sobering first line, “I’m coming up only to hold you under,” the burning in his voice and the growing intensity that erupts in full force with the second verse, and fans were left with a powerful, resonating opening song, “Funeral.”
The Seattle-tied, South Carolina-based rock band took the stage after Chicago’s psychedelic, reggae-infused duo, Wild Belle stirred the crowd with its colorful sound.
Packed House: Band of Horses on stage at The Orbit Room. (Photo/Anna Sink)
After beginning with what is undoubtedly the group’s most popular cut, the alternative rockers enlivened the set with a grooving, in-the-pocket jam called “Dumpster World.” A deep, soulful bass line led the way as Bridwell lost the guitar and revolved around the mic stepping in rhythm and snapping his fingers.
Later on, “Casual Party,” a single from the band’s newest album, “Why Are You OK,” saw an increasingly energetic Bridwell jumping around stage while belting along to the bright and airy tune. The driving verses gave way to a soaring chorus surrounded by shimmering electric guitars and stratospheric group vocals.
The melancholy rockers ended with an encore that featured “No One’s Gonna Love You,” another fan favorite.
The song’s instantly recognizable guitar riff became momentarily drowned out by cheers, before the room stilled as the quintet carefully curated the song’s atmospheric soundscape and then delved into a hopeful and inspiring chorus. The at-capacity crowd joined their voices and sang the night away along to the sincere refrain.
PHOTO GALLERY: Band of Horses at The Orbit Room
Photos by Anna Sink
