Saturday night’s Half Moon Run show was only a short three months since their last visit, but they had somehow succeeded in jumping from the tiny Larimer Lounge to the Ogden Theatre. The Montreal indie rockers delivered three and four part harmonies over creative percussion and started the band’s US tour to a very welcoming audience
In the four years that have followed Father John Misty’s 2012 album, Fear Fun, his Denver shows have come a long way. Saturday marked the first of two sold out nights at one of Denver’s most lavish venues, the 2,225 seat Ellie Caulkins Opera House. It was surprisingly the perfect home to a night of cynical lyrics matched with the sass, feminine dance moves and energy that makes Father John Misty such an outstanding performer.
Just beyond the Albertson’s parking lot we parked our car at Lowry’s premier Applebee’s rival, the Tavern Lowry. Below this chicken finger basket and artichoke dip destination lies the Soiled Dove Underground, a high-polish 300-person club. While having one of the most suburban locations imaginable, the little club is actually a pretty decent place to see a show and an especially ideal place for an acoustic show with Drive-By Truckers frontman Patterson Hood.
Dobro penetrated brick walls as I waited in line for the box office on Saturday. Inside the Fillmore Auditorium, soundcheck was unfolding for a huge night of music rooted in tradition, but tied to the heartbeat of the present. Inside, three bands, all with ties to Colorado, waited to play for the massive auditorium. There were flannels, puffy coats, vests, dresses, boots and of course, beards all there to witness a great evening of Americana that wrapped with all of the musicians onstage singing “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down.” Ain’t nothin’ wrong with that.
The Ogden was filled with flannel and beards for the opening night of a two night homecoming for Colorado’s own Elephant Revival — quite the feat for a band from the tiny mountain town of Nederland. The group expanded their whimsical folk music into extended bluegrass jams and topped everything off with aerialists twirling from ribbons strung above the packed crowd.
Ahead of the blizzard that wasn’t, fans braved the threat of fast-falling, blowing snow for an intimate night with Irish folk musician Glen Hansard at the historic Paramount Theatre. Hansard could have come solo, powered solely by the strength of his lyrics and vocals, but instead, he showed up with a full nine piece band behind him and proceeded to vigorously play songs from his new album as well as some The Swell Season favorites.
Duluth Minnesota’s Low brought a powerful show to a sold-out Larimer Lounge this past Friday the 13th. The Sub Pop veterans brought out shoegazers seeking downtempo, hard hitting music, and all left satisfied as the band effortlessly hit hard in the best and most nonchalant way possible, bringing mesmerizing moments that proved why they have remained a fixture of the scene for so long.
The Pepsi Center was bubbling over with adolescent energy Sunday night during Taylor Swift’s second sold-out night of her 1989 World Tour. Miniature Taylor Swifts in bright red lipstick and wayfarers waited in long lines for merch, photo booths, and various sponsored photos ops with large photos of their idol. They also carried homemade signs quoting Taylor’s lyrics or professing their love. The pop superstar brought a high-energy, high-production show filled with dancers, her hits, and enough talent to justify the ticket price.
An afternoon high of 97 turned the packed Ogden into an oven and it only got hotter as the theater filled in for Swedish folk singer, The Tallest Man On Earth. Kristian Matsson made a name for himself through raw, solo records and performances but arrived in Denver with a full band and a new sound this past week. Old songs were given new life by a big band, but the most memorable moments still came in the form of roaring solo performances.
A light rain broke and gray skies hung over Red Rocks ahead of Thursday night’s show with multi-genre rocker, Ryan Adams. Backed by a killer new band, he ripped through a setlist that played like a greatest hits album and spanned his discography. The threat of lightning shutting down the show was constant, but Adams was able to fit in two hours of music and one hell of a show before it eventually did.