Marco Benevento at Cervantes' Masterpiece Ballroom [Review]
Marco's mark on Colorado grows
By Stephanie Esposito
April 2, 2017
Marco Benevento this past Friday at Cervantes' Masterpiece Ballroom was exciting for so many reasons. I feel like Marco is kind of jam royalty at this point... a little Mad Hatter, a little bit Golden Boy.
Last year he sold out Cervantes' Other Side and I was lucky to get a ticket, so this year he played the main ballroom and there was room for everyone during his Denver stop. What he lacks in vocal abilities and catchy lyric writing he makes up for with enthusiasm and experimentation on the keys. The band he is playing with right now is beyond amazing, letting him be the charismatic bandleader and playmate that his imagination lends to him. Ironically, the opening band, The Copper Children from Denver, CO, played an hour of super catchy tunes, the lead singer's voice is smooth and capable, the lyrics are positive and encouraging earworms.
Everyone on Marco's stage was wearing all white while The Copper Children always wear long, multicolored tunics and pants. Also, the lack of any keys in the band was a noticeable counterpoint to Marco's sound. But after recently winning a contest to play at Summer Camp Music Festival - beginning their summer tour - and recording their third album, the Copper Children are on fire right now and were a great choice to open up the night.
They went on promptly at 9:00 after they lit some sage and burnt it on the stage to clear the energy. By the end of the set almost everyone was singing along heartily to the words and dancing freely. Their kind of vibe and music permeates easily, and I loved seeing smiles on everyone’s faces. When I first saw them at Spread The Word Music Festival last year, I don’t remember that kind of crowd familiarity. I remember standing there with my mouth open, wondering what kind of thing I was seeing happen. They were immediately to me new and original, but still rooted in a classic sort of sound. From jamming together to forming a band, to making their space here in this Denver community, it's great to see a good band of good dudes get ahead, deservedly.