Photos by Tim Dwenger
In sea of musicians of every caliber, this year’s Denver Day of Rock didn’t only showcase some exceptional talent, it brought out the true performers. The ones who know how to play to their audience, entertain them, get them involved, and have them leave smiling from ear to ear because they can’t wait to see you again live!
Whether it was the hailstorm that came shortly before the first bands were set to play at 2:30 PM, or the deluge that threatened to soak out the final performances of the evening, all those who ventured out were greatly rewarded for braving this year’s soggy May weather.
In between storms, and under some much-needed sunshine, we bounced between the stages (there were five in total) showcasing almost every type of musical genre imaginable for every taste from Pop to Zydeco. I wasn’t going to be able to see them all, so I’d have to make some choices.
Having had the opportunity to sit in on an interview with Alex Anderson of Rose Quartz, I knew I wanted to see them live. Even though their set was cut short due to a rain delay, I wasn’t surprised at how the small taste of their unique electronic sound left me, and the crowd with which I was surrounded, wanting more.
We then moved over to another stage where The Railbenders, a Denver band that have been rocking together since 2000, got the crowd dancing to their Outlaw Country sound. We, and the hundreds of people who’d turned up for their set, were having so much fun, we didn’t want it to end. But, with so many bands to see, it was time to move on.
The choice for the final act of the evening was a no-brainer for me. I’d wanted to see Mat Kearney live for some time, and what better opportunity to do so? He took the stage almost forty-five minutes behind schedule because of yet another rainstorm. Neither the rain, nor the altitude he joked about, would stop him from connecting with a sea of eager listeners ready for whatever it was he was about to offer. Even though he had to shorten his time on stage to less than an hour, no one would be leaving his performance disappointed.
From his first song to the third song of his encore, a cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark” that got the crowd roaring, his energy never faded. His interaction with his band members and the audience made this performance unforgettable. After hopping into the crowd and swimming through his fans as he danced and offered hugs, he returned to the stage where he jumped on top of the piano and belted out a couple verses of U2’s “Where the Streets Have No Name”.
Barely standing still, he never missed a beat in keeping the audience engaged. The crowd, myself included, was in love. Like every other band I’d seen during the day, I wasn’t ready for it to be over.
The night wrapped on a high note. People were laughing, smiling, and reminiscing about the bands they’d seen. The talent of this year’s Day of Rock will be hard to top, but as I looked down at my ankles and shoes caked in mud from all that dancing after the rain had left its mark, I knew the memories would be ever lasting.
Well done Denver (Day of Rock). Well done.
Editor’s Note: In an effort to cover as much of the event as possible, the photo gallery below showcases The Shook Twins, The Kin, Moon Taxi, Fox Street, Orgone, and St. Paul & The Broken Bones
[…] a write-up about the 2015 Denver Day of Rock with a little mention of the Railbenders. I totally agree with the reviewer, they’re always […]