Band of Horses + Howlin’ Rain @ Fox, Oakland 10/28/12
When it comes to triumphs, people have formed all kinds of strange superstitions to come out on top. After the Giants swept the World Series with a tie-breaking run in the tenth inning on Sunday, effectively delaying the Band of Horses show at Fox Theater from starting, we’re thinking about making BoH shows our new winning ritual.
Howlin’ Rain
Howlin’ Rain
If the room was packed to the aisles during opener Howlin Rain’s set Sunday night, many fans at the show wouldn’t have a clue. While the San Francisco-based band certainly played their local hearts out on the big stage, their psych-rock canticles were no match for the remaining innings of the big game. Hundreds of fans diverted to the theater’s packed Fox Den bar instead to watch the San Francisco Giants score the tie-breaking victory run. We weren’t surprised to find that even Band of Horses would start their set a little late.
Howlin’ Rain
Howlin’ Rain
Band of Horses
Band of Horses
But what a way to celebrate. For our money, there’s no better way to revel in the championship over one of America’s favorite past time’s than to enjoy another home-grown tradition: good old, unadulterated indie rock. As Band of Horses took the stage, they kept the good times rolling, stirring the still-reeling crowd with a mix of old favorites and new tune previews. “The Great Salt Lake” may as well have been “The Great San Francisco” the way the audience responded to the familiar opening guitar wails. And from the backdrop image of the backwoods, bounces the sound of a band so in tune with one another’s beats and voices, not even a stage six feet above the crowd, or team of muscle-bound security guards, or even a cold metal railing could separate Band of Horses from their crowd’s cheers and sing-alongs.
Band of Horses
Band of Horses
Band of Horses
If you’ve yet to see Band of Horses live and you’re sitting on the picket fence about whether to drop some coin to see their slice of Americana in your town, you just have to decide whether you like watching a band have a complete blast on stage or not. That’s really the deciding factor. As sure as the bet that a duo of ladies will scream, “We love you!” or that some guy sounding of might will howl a “You guys rock!” from way, way back beyond the nose-bleeds of the theater, you can count on Band of Horses to deliver a spirited show.
Band of Horses
Check out all the awesome photos from Band of Horses HERE.