Band of Horses @ Koko

It's hard to believe that it was just a year ago that Band of Horses came onto the scene and into my life. All I can say, is that probably more than any other band I've ever seen, these guys make me regret, almost despise the fact that I was never musically inclined as a youngster. I'm greener than the Hulk with envy that I can never be like Band of Horses. Why oh why did I never want to be a musician or in a band when I was younger? Naively and sheep-like, opting for a cricket bat or golf club instead!? My years of standing disinterestedly on the third man boundary have long since past and golf I'm afraid is a sport that will seemingly forever create more pain than joy for me. Silly, silly me…If I have one piece of advice for any youngster out there, it would be for them just to consider learning a musical instrument, do it for yourself and nobody else. Because that's the difference between music and sport.

Lead singer Ben Bridwell however, seems to be fully aware of this gift and (almost on my behalf) seems to relish and devour every second on that stage. He is the lightning conducter through which the bands music flows. It is infectious and very satisfying to see someone clearly revelling in what he was born to do. The next best thing to doing it yourself I guess.

Anyway, so as you may have guessed they were really good. Perhaps in a few years time when they have a deeper pool of songs to draw from they'll be BRILLIANT. Support band MGMT were also the find of the season for me and I wouldn't be surprised if 'Time to pretend' doesn't make them a household name in the very near future.