Photos by Mitch Kline
The Scene: Having ramped up the second half of their Fall tour in Des Moines early last week, Greensky Bluegrass rolled in to Denver on Friday for the first of two highly anticipated, and sold-out, shows. Despite the sold-out sign that hung on the box office window, The Ogden was nearly deserted when we walked into the venue and scooped up some prime balcony seats about 30 minutes before opener You, Me & Apollo took the stage last Friday night. As the Denver bands set moved on, the room steadily filled and the buzz of excited fans grew in intensity until there was electricity crackling in the air just seconds before Greensky Bluegrass took the stage.
Greensky Bluegrass: “Wow!” It’s exactly what I said the first time I saw these guys (and each time since, possibly with a few more “!” added) and it’s essentially the universal reply after witnessing a Greensky Bluegrass show, and Friday night at the Ogden was no exception. A ridiculous mid set “All Four,” stretched out to sixteen minutes, anchored a first stanza and was supported by an early take on Paul Simon’s “Gumboots,” an extended “Eat My Dust” that literally had the building shaking, and Dave Bruzza’s soulful “Kerosene” which closed out the set.
Early on in the second set the band broke out “That’s What Love Will Make You Do” sandwiched within an energetic “Can’t Stop Now,” but this show will be defined by the twenty minute, mid-set exploration of “Tarpology” seamlessly intertwined with Pink Floyd’s “One Slip.” Tarpology has always been a significant jam vehicle for these guys but this version is over the top. Not just the highlight of this show, but possibly a career-to-date highlight and the perfect example of what makes this band so easy to like.
Instead of mailing in a couple of three minute easy pickin’ encores, these guys close out many of their nights with extended takes on songs that would fit nicely in any big second set. This night it happened to be a ten minute “Ain’t No Bread in the Breadbox,” which sent the rowdy crowd out into the cool October night muttering the same thing so many of us have before. Wow!
Energy: A+
Musicianship: A+
Sound: A
Stage Presence: B
Lights: A
Overall: A
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