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Infamous Stringdusters Live at The Aggie Theater 2/15/14- Stream and Download
The Scene: Fort Collins is known worldwide as a beer, biking and music lover’s paradise. The music side of the equation was fulfilled in excellent fashion last weekend as the Infamous Stringdusters 2014 Ski Tour made a stop at the Aggie Theatre in Fort Collins for two nights. I’ve been coming to the Aggie for years and seen plenty of excellent of shows at the aging venue so, despite all the negative publicity caused by an endless train of liquor license violations and unpopular policy changes over the last year, I refuse to give up on the venue that means so much to the music scene in Fort Collins. Luckily, The Stringdusters were able to easily shrug off the venue’s negative aspects as they packed the house for two nights. Saturday’s performance was another perfect chance to get dusted and the boys didn’t disappoint. Like most Infamous shows, the crowd was mature and well versed in the world of modern Bluegrass. Alongside the local Fort Collins contingent, we were joined by a collection of other Front Range Bluegrass heads and fans from across the Midwest following the band as they navigate small venues in the Rocky Mountain region.
Infamous Stringdusters: I’ve always maintained that the Infamous Stringdusters are one of the finest groups to emerge from the modern Bluegrass revival over the last decade. The group always brings energy, varied set-lists and positivity to the stage. Since their inception in 2007, the Dusters’ fan base has continued to multiply with every tour and sold-out performance. Saturday’s show was a whirlwind 28-song marathon that had the packed crowd giddy from the start.
Highlights from early in the show include the fast paced and fiddle laced “Clinch Mountain Backstep” and a dreamy rendition of the classic mile high anthem “Colorado.” As the show progressed into the night, the band blasted through a run on three of my personal favorites: “Long Lonesome Day,” “You Can’t Stop the Changes” and “Black Rock.” These three tracks rely heavily on Andy Hall’s dobro wizardry and evoked the strongest crowd reactions of the night. Although we were forced to retreat to a separate fenced area to sip on a few beers, we returned to the dance floor for “High Country Funk,” “Three Days in July” and a majestic version of the Grateful Dead’s “I Know You Rider” that had the crowd singing and dancing triumphantly. The band eventually exited the stage to raucous applause and returned several minutes later with a twangy take on Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice its Alright.” If you haven’t been dusted before, get in you’re car right now and catch one of the remaining shows on their 2014 Tour. The Infamous Stringdusters are nearly flawless on a live stage and have become a must see act in the Bluegrass spectrum.
Energy: A+
Musicianship: A+
Sound: B+
Stage Presence: A
Set/Light Show: B+
Overall: A
The Infamous Stringdusters are so good. Their cover of the Police’s “Walking on the Moon” is life changing.