The Motet’s “Mixtape 1975” – November 1st – Ogden Theatre

The Scene: The Motet, the funkadelic Denver supergroup, played for a packed house this past Halloween weekend at the Ogden Theatre. The spooky tradition of covering an artist each Halloween weekend was broken last year when the band decided to play hits only from 1980 and this year they chose 1975. The show, dubbed appropriately “Mixtape 1975,” stayed true to the band’s Afrobeat heritage. As the band took the stage–clad in trends from the Disco era–the buzz of the audience turned into raucous applause, eager for what was to come from this groovin’ group.

The Motet: The band opened with the theme song from the short-lived crime series, S.W.A.T. and followed with the phenomenal Bazuka hit, “Dynomite.” The very lovely Camille Armstrong took the stage belting out the recurring hook and proclaiming her strong, vivacious presence. The O’Jay’s upbeat “I Love Music” came next. Hearing the entire audience repeat the wonderful phrase, “I love music. Sweet, sweet music,” was something funky, something magical and the whole venue shook. The Motet flew right into War’s “Low Rider,” truly testing Jans Ingber’s vocals. The tall gent had no problem getting as low as “Low Rider” does. We then had to get weird with “Cut the Cake” by the Average White Band. Hilarity ensued and Disco rang as the 1975 hits continued to pour from the stage but Rock ‘n Roll needed its time to shine as well and classics like Pink Floyd’s “Have a Cigar,” Bowie’s “Fame,” and “Kashmir” by Led Zeppelin fit the bill nicely.

Perhaps one of the best jams of the show was The Motet’s rendition of Herbie Hancock’s “Just Around the Corner.” Looking out into the crowd, you could find a funky chicken getting down, a Darth Vader bouncing around and a clown touching the ground. The Halloween shows get weird and Garrett Sayers got super funky on that bass. “Slippery When Wet” by The Commodores brought back the sultry vocals and then Tower of Power’s “Only So Much Oil” took an upbeat turn. The band left the stage only to return for two last exciting tunes. They ended on an empowering note with “Shakey Ground” by The Temptations, a classic, and the ultimate disco jam, “Sing a Song” by Earth, Wind & Fire.

The Motet killed it this Halloween weekend, and took their “Mixtape 1975” show to four lucky Colorado towns. They know how to show their appreciation to their home-base, and will be returning that appreciation next summer at Red Rocks Amphitheatre alongside the funky jamband, Lettuce. Don’t miss it!

Setlist: S.W.A.T. theme song, Dynomite, Fire > I Love Music, Low Rider > Cut the Cake, Fight, Skunk Funk, Medley 1, Have a Cigar, Fame, Shining Star, If It Don’t Fit, Kashmir, Medley 2, Get Off Your Ass, Just Around the Corner, Slippery, Only So Much Oil

Encore: Shakey Ground, Sing a Song

Energy: A
Musicianship: A
Sound: B+
Stage Presence: A
Set/Light Show: B

Overall: A