Photo by Mark Maya
The Scene: The Poudre Canyon has an energy about it. You can feel it when you drive through the winding roads. Curving around the river banks, the sun shines through your open windows and you hear the river rushing softly. There’s no connection to the outside world in the canyon. It pulls you in and wraps you up like a blanket. As you continue through these winding roads of solitude, life suddenly emerges. It’s here you encounter the renowned Mishawaka Amphitheatre, nestled in the remote majesty of the Poudre.
The 950-person venue, also known as “The Mish,” offers the unique experience to see your favorite bands in an intimate outdoor setting. The Poudre River, which lies behind the stage, is a key element of the venue, and because the remote venue removes you from all technology and nearby lodging, it can be extremely difficult to figure out logistics. But people do it. There’s camping nearby and shuttles to take you to and from Fort Collins. Friends carpool and shuttle each other to and from their campgrounds, and you’ll find people walking along the winding roads at night. It can be tough to navigate, but the experience is more than worth it.
Opener: Daniel Rodriguez. The type of music that resonates in this setting, in my opinion, is the heart-wrenching type. The thought-provoking type. The wrought in honesty, singer-songwriter type. It simply vibrates better here. One artist that aligns perfectly with this genre is Daniel Rodriguez, formerly of Elephant Revival. Rodriguez opened with an elegant Colorado homage titled “Home.” The chords struck the crowd as they swayed in the cool mountain breeze and Rodriguez’s technical solos reverberated through the air. A few songs later, fans of Elephant Revival were elated to hear “Sing to the Mountain.” The crowd howled to the moon at Rodriguez’s lyrical guidance. A sense of nostalgia aired over the audience. Accompanied by Lyons-based Arthur Lee Land and friends, the rest of the set consisted mainly of new originals that the Nederland dweller has been cultivating. Rodriguez dialed in his new tunes and his nurturing, harmonious voice has never sounded better. Some solo songs to keep on your radar include “Take Me as I Am” and “Delores.”
Mandolin Orange: Ah, Mandolin Orange. A band that has quietly stood their ground among a world of ever-evolving, always-blending genres. I find comfort in knowing Mandolin Orange is as accessible as they were in 2009. Their style blends old-style bluegrass with contemporary folk, aiding in the timelessness of their sound. Andrew Marlin’s songwriting echoes our country’s past and honors our heart’s present. He offers lyrics that are accessible; but they don’t tug at your heart strings in a painful way. The songs aren’t somber, but they can certainly be dark. They speak to an idea that creation and community evolve, often times from ache, from growth, from change…“Wildfire.” It speaks to truth in motion, “just spinning around in hollow ground.” (“Cold Lover’s Waltz”).
Opening with “That Wrecking Ball,” Andrew Marlin’s effortless vocals brought this idea to fruition, singing “I’m afraid she’s swinging my way, that wrecking ball…very man bears a burden; His own beast by the horns; That he hides from the world.” The crowd began to swoon. The next song, “Hey Stranger,” led by guitarist Emily Frantz was brilliant, beautiful and poignant. The pair complement each other flawlessly. Their vocals weave into one another like a tight rope and, when heard, everything else fades away. Fantz, claiming she is merely a harmony vocalist, stands out in her vocal lead songs. This could be heard in “Cold Lover’s Waltz,” a surprising standout of the night. Her golden sequined dress glimmered against the yellow and blue hues of the lighting design, and did I mention she’s about 7 months pregnant? That didn’t phase her or impact her performance. She simply glowed. “Wildfire,” their most popular single made its appearance near the end of the set and the duo performed it as if it were their first time. The idea of “getting burnt out” seems like folklore to them; they’re unphased and true masters of the craft and it shows. They sing and play masterfully and unassumingly. After “Wildfire,” Marlin introduced the band, bringing the special guest to everyone’s attention: Josh Oliver on guitar. The singer-songwriter was invited on their Colorado run and we were lucky enough to hear him sing on the Stanley Brothers cover “I Just Think I’ll Go Away.” What a poignant ending to a heavenly night of music at the Mish. If you have the chance, please see Mandolin Orange. You won’t regret a single moment of it.
August 24th, 2018 – Mishawaka Amphitheatre
Setlist: That Wrecking Ball, Hey Stranger, Jump Mountain Blues, My Blinded Heart, Settled Down, Cold Lover’s Waltz, Daylight, Take This Heart of Gold, Cavalry, Silver Dagger (Traditional), Arthela’s Waltz > Wooden Spoon Over By the Sink, Old Ties and Companions, Lonesome Whistle, Wildfire, Hard Travelin‘
Encore: I Just Think I’ll Go Away (Stanley Brothers); Waltz About Whiskey
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