talk about a classic show! i just got back from seeing archers of loaf on their reunion tour at the earl!! what’s even better, the opening act birdsmell and freinds, turned out to be band of horses!!! how amazing is that? i guess ben bridwell has played under that name before, but seeing these two bands in such a small sweaty venue was quite the memorable concert!

archers were amazing! they were super loud and sounded great, it was as if they hadn’t take a thirteen year hiatus. the setlist was pulled from their entire catalogue; including all four albums and various eps & singles. my highlights were web in front, wrong, plumb line, might, harnessed in slums, dead red eyes, well, they were all pretty awesome. screaming along to web in front with a bunch of sweaty people made me feel like i was in high school again!

birdsmell and friends, aka band of horses, were also great! they played as a stripped down three-piece but still sounded awesome, i think ben bridwell’s brother might have even been on bass. the setlist was a mix of songs from their three albums and a few covers. i know ben bridwell is a fan of the loaf, archers bassist matt gentling has even toured as a member of band of horses, but it’s still awesome he played a secret show just to share the stage with them!

on a side note, i’m glad archers opted to play a few nights in a small venue rather than playing a larger venue for one night. such a small setting was perfect for them. the show i saw was the third of three sold out shows at the earl and it wouldn’t have been nearly as fun in a big venue.

– ryan

ps…it’s funny, the last time i saw archers of loaf was also a pretty epic show for me. it was on their farewell tour in 1998 and they played with built to spill, creeper lagoon and 764-hero at the metro in chicago. classic!