'Band of Horses' gallops through Bluebird

The Bluebird crammed people in Thursday night as indie rock group Band of Horses performed to a sold-out crowd.

The concert was part of the 92.3 WTTS Toys for Tots Christmas shows.
 
Concert-goers were encouraged to bring new, unwrapped gifts to be donated to the charity organization.

Starting at 8 p.m., indie rock artist Jason Lytle opened for the group.

Formerly of the group Grandaddy, Lytle played an eight-song set that included pieces from his solo career, in particular from his latest album, “Dept. of Disappearance.”

He switched between guitar and keyboard as he rocked through songs like “Yours Truly the Commuter” and “This Song is the Mute Button.”

The Bluebird show marked Lytle’s first performance opening for Band of Horses. Lytle said he had a great time with the band.

At 9:30 p.m., the headliners took the stage before a roaring audience.

The band started on an enthusiastic note, opening with three high-energy songs in a row, including “Knock Knock,” the first single off of their newest LP, “Mirage Rock.”

The group countered their start with some mellow songs such as “The Great Salt Lake” from their debut album “Everything All the Time” and “Marry Song” from “Cease to Begin.”

The band ended after a nearly one-hour set but came back on after the crowd demanded an encore.

With the lights dimmed and nothing but a guitar backing his vocals, lead singer Ben Bridwell crooned through one of the band’s biggest hits, “No One’s Gonna Love You.”

The band ended the night with a rousing rendition of “The Funeral,” their most recognizable song.

Booming guitars and flashing colored lights pumped up the crowd up. Phones were up across the club and many audience members sang and swayed along to the song.

After the Bloomington show, the band’s next stops were last Saturday at the Barrymore Theatre in Madison, Wis., and Sunday and the Chicago Theatre.

Band of Horses will continue to tour in promotion of “Mirage Rock” through the end of the year.

— Carolyn Crowcroft