Weekend Recap, Dec. 10-13, 2015
Denver, CO continues to bring top-tier live music to eager fans
By Eric Frank
December 14, 2015
Photos by Karly Goertzen & Darlene Nickell
This past weekend was one to remember. One of those special weekends, magic in the air, where missing a desired show is a necessity in order to see another. Coloradans are truly blessed to have so much quality live music, so incredibly often.
To start, The Wood Brothers made their way through Colorado this week, deservedly greeted by warm and receptive crowds. The siblings, plus multi-instrumentalist Jano Rix, kicked off their Colorado run at Belly Up Aspen on Thursday the 10th before traveling to Denver's Fillmore Auditorium on Saturday, December 12, where we caught the show.
Photo by Karly Goertzen
In support of The Infamous Stringdusters, The Wood Brothers played old favorites "Mary Anna", "Postcards From Hell", and "Luckiest Man" as well as cuts from their newest effort, Paradise. These guys put on a seriously entertaining show and are worth seeing live if you've never had the pleasure.
Photo by Karly Goertzen
Meanwhile, The Stringdusters absolutely crushed it — and this is coming from a guy who often gets bored with bluegrass after a while. Jams went deep and spewed energy in every direction. Smiles were wide and abundant as vibrations were exchanged between artist, room and soul.
Photo by Karly Goertzen
But wait, let's back it up a second because Friday also saw Shpongle at The Fillmore Auditorium — a sold-out show that everybody seemed to be at — and Dance Party Time Machine held at Cervantes' Masterpiece Ballroom just up the road.
Since my journalist bailed on their review of Shpongle (leaving me with two unused tickets... For shame!), I'm forced to dive right into Dance Party Time Machine, a new tradition that's growing rapidly in popularity and merit.
The show takes the audience on a trip through time and space as over 30 musicians — both on the local and national circuits — celebrate the greatest dance party songs of all time.
The listener gets some of everything, from rock n' roll roots to disco dance hits, 80's classics, 90's hip-hop and more. Musicians included Marc Brownstein, Aron Magner, and Allen Aucoin of The Disco Biscuits, Jeremy Salken of Big Gigantic, and Eddie Roberts of The New Mastersounds. Local artists included members of YAMN, Fox Street, The Congress and Analog Son.
Drinks were flowin', the vibe was growin' and the music kept the room in constant, anomalous motion. There were too many musicians rotating between songs for this drunkard to keep track of, but energies could certainly be felt shifting in different directions. This kept the sound fresh all night long.
The room was never without movement as upbeat numbers moved through the decades and into one's shoes on a chilly December night. Meanwhile, Cervantes' Other Side was burning down the house with Gravity A performing the music of Talking Heads. Talk about a double-header!
Alas, we can't be everywhere at once, but had we the ability, you'd have been sure to see us at Willy Porter at The Soiled Dove Underground (Friday, Dec. 11), JJ Grey & MOFRO at Fort Collins' Aggie Theatre (Friday, Dec. 11) and Rebirth Brass Band at The Gothic Theatre (Saturday, Dec. 12).
We Coloradans sure are a lucky bunch. Don't ever forget that and don't stop attending shows! Because nobody looks back on their life and says, "I went to too many concerts."