Beck – September 25th – Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Photos by Jim Mimna

The setting was perfect: Red Rocks on a cool night with the massive orange harvest moon hanging low over the Denver skyline and Beck about to take the stage – all the indicators predicted properly what was to come for this anxious audience.  Being the second night of two on the Rocks, and a rare two night stand for the tour, the mystery of the setlist was the most overheard conversation before the show and, ultimately, the big prize for all in attendance after it was all said and done.  The show opened with “Loser” which got the place fired up straight out of the gates and then things got interesting when Beck cleared the stage and played an acoustic “Debra” (which setlist fanatics will want to know he never finished), into a stellar take on Prince’s “Raspberry Beret” – all acoustic and totally awesome.  Later, after making a remark about the incredible harvest moon everyone one was buzzing about, he invited opener Jenny Lewis to the stage and together they dropped into an acoustic version of Neil Young’s “Harvest Moon” with the band adding stripped down accompaniment.  At this point he had the entire place captive, Beck was in full control of this ride!  Lewis stuck around for “Girl Dreams” and the set wound down with gems like “Blue Moon,” “Wow,” and “E-Pro.”  After a brief break, the band returned for a romp through a feel good medley that included “Where It’s At,” “Once In A Lifetime,” “In The Air Tonight,” and “One Foot In The Grave.”  What a night!