Last Saturday night the Fillmore played host to a six hour Reggae-thon featuring some fantastic performances. The evening opened with Denver Reggae Social Club and hot on their heels was Roots of Creation with a special set that featured some stellar Reggae interpretations of Grateful Dead songs.
On Thursday, June 15th, the main street of Colorado’s most captivating town, was abuzz with an energy and excitement as the crowds (some there for days) made their way to Town Park for the start of the 45th Annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival. There is no better setting for a music festival; there is no better music for such a setting.
There are some jobs you can’t apply for, there are opportunities you can’t hunt down, and there are seats at the table you just can’t pull out for yourself. Colorado drummer Mark Levy taking his seat behind the kit during Phil Lesh’s three night run at the Capitol Theater in Port Chester New York this week is an opportunity of a lifetime and a job for which Levy is well suited.
As is usually the case, Colorado has played host to some of the biggest names in music throughout 2016. From classic performers to contemporary pop stars, there’s been some impressive variety showcased all around the state. But one subtle factor that links some of the biggest acts that have come through the state this year is that several of them have songs that are about (or at least inspired by) gambling.
The Botanic Gardens was beautiful on Monday night. Though storms swirled nearby, not a drop of rain fell on the gardens and the crowd was linen clad and ready for some great music. Though there was a smattering of younger faces in the bowl, the vast majority of the audience was over 40 and sat back, wine glass in hand, to enjoy some adult contemporary hits from the late 80’s and early 90’s. Boy, were they in for a surprise.
A slight sprinkle cooled the crowd at Red Rocks last Sunday as they waited for the evening’s entertainment to start. Many had arrived early having missed the email that pushed doors back an hour due to the production truck carrying the PA system being late to the venue, so tailgates lasted a bit longer than anticipated and more people got to see a relatively lack luster set from Real Estate that originally planned as the venue filled up early and stayed packed until the bitter end.
Trouble Will Find Me, the most self-assured collection of songs produced by The National in its 14-year career, is a tribute to fully evolved artistic vision — and, somewhat less mystically, to sleep deprivation. Though the album is three years old now, the band is in as fine form as ever having spent much of the Spring and early Summer (when they weren’t playing festivals all over the world) in the studio recording the follow-up.
A packed house was ready to get their UMerica on and celebrate 4th of July weekend with jamband juggernauts Umphrey’s McGee and Joe Russo’s Almost Dead at America’s favorite outdoor concert venue. After a stellar Saturday night, expectations were high but there were nothing but smiles and good vibes on The Rocks and the sold-out crowd was treated to a dazzling display of masterful playing by both bands.
A brisk night greeted Thievery Corporation as they brought their worldly sounds to Red Rocks Amphitheatre for their sixth headlining performance at the venue. Thievery Corporation is celebrating 20 years as a band and they have built a phenomenal fan base across Colorado with consistently stellar concerts. There was no shortage of early enthusiasm this year as the desperate search for tickets for the sold-out night was ongoing in the parking lot before the show.
