Greensky Bluegrass – September 23rd – Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Photos by Tim Dwenger

For the second show of their first ever two night stand at the incomparable Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Greensky Bluegrass invited the eclectic Funk band Turkuaz to join them and get the party going early.  From the moment they emerged in their brightly colored outfits, the nine piece delivered lots of low end funky rhythms that got people up off their asses and dancing.  It’s always great to see an opening band grab a hold of the crowd and not let go and Turkuaz did exactly that with choreographed dance moves, punchy horn lines, and searing guitar solos that punctuated several tunes from the band’s brand new record Life In The City which drops on Friday.  In addition to the new songs, the band featured “Digitonium” from their 2015 release of the same name and a brilliant cover of The Band’s “The Shape I’m In.”  When they finally took their bows and moved toward the wings, there was no doubt that Turkuaz had picked up a bunch of new fans!

As the sun set behind us, Greensky Bluegrass took the stage for their fourth and final set on The Rocks for this year.  Opening with “Fixin’ To Ruin” and “Windshield” the show started off a little slower than I was hoping for but, by the time the band celebrated hitting the midway point of the set with The Talking Heads’ “Road To Nowhere,” I was thrilled.  As if a Talking Heads cover wasn’t enough, Anders Beck soon introduced the Turkuaz horns and brought them to the stage to augment the Greensky originals “Miss September” and “Bring Out Your Dead.”  I’m a firm believer that horns make almost everything better and if you don’t agree, check out this version of “Bring Out Your Dead.”  Damn boys!  That’s how it’s done!

During set break, Tom Hamilton of JRAD, Ghost Light, American Babies, and more slipped past me on his way to the soundboard and I couldn’t help but fantasize about him joining Greensky.  Turns out I wouldn’t have to wait long as the set started with “I’d Probably Kill You” before a nod to Sunday with the Gospel standard “Cryin’ Holy Unto The Lord (Rock Where Moses Stood)” and then Beck stepped to the mic and welcomed Mr. Hamilton to the stage for Greensky’s own “All Four” and the Norton Buffalo by way of Jerry Garcia gem “Ain’t No Bread in the Breadbox.”  As the band expertly navigated both songs, I was struck by how well Hamilton fit into the mix.  It was pretty much magical and even after Hamilton left the band had more magic up their sleeves with “Demons,” “Wings for Wheels,” and a “Leap Year” sandwich that featured most of Turkuaz and a foray into Elton John’s “Rocket Man” before returning to “Leap Year” to end the set. 

After a short break, Greensky returned and delivered a blistering “Kerosene” (that featured a made to order shooting star streaking across the sky) to round out a very special weekend of music. My only wish for next year is: give us Friday and Saturday on The Rocks please!

Greensky Bluegrass – Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Sunday, September 23rd, 2018
Set 1: Fixin To Ruin, Windshield, Broken Highways, Courage for the Road, Hold On> Road to Nowhere, Hit Parade of Love, Miss September¹, Before Bring Out Your Dead¹> Bring Out Your Dead¹, Run or Die
Set 2: I’d Probably Kill You, Cryin’ Holy Unto The Lord (Rock Where Moses Stood), All Four²> Ain’t No Bread in the Breadbox², Demons, Wings for Wheels, Leap Year³> Rocket Man³> Leap Year³
Encore: Kerosene

1. w/ Chris Brouwers, Greg Sanderson, Josh Schwartz (Turquaz horns)
2. w/ Tom Hamilton (guitar)
3. w/ Sami Garret, Shira Elias, Dave Brandwein, Josh Scwartz, Chris Brouwers, Greg Sanderson (vocals & horns)