When Meghan came onto the stage she got lifted about ten feet into the air on a platform (don’t worry she was strapped in). With her first song being “Mother” the crowd got pretty hyped and she was off to a great start. Meghan’s six dancers were very good and the choreography was great. She preformed many hits like, “All About that Bass.”
You’ve heard it here before, when King Gizzard comes to town, don’t ask any questions, just go. Do they need to be your favorite band? No! Do you need to listen to them at home all the time? No! Do you even really need to be familiar with their music? No! About the only thing you need is a mind that’s open to diverse music and a sense of adventure (and maybe a pair of ear plugs).
30 years ago, Green Day was featured at Lollapalooza ’94 in San Diego along with The Smashing Pumpkins. So, when we heard Green Day was coming to town to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Dookie and the 20th anniversary of American Idiot, with The Smashing Pumpkins and Rancid opening, we knew we had to be there.
On a particularly windy evening, I arrived at Folsom Field in Boulder with anticipation and a little concern. The gusts were strong enough to make you question the schedule of the evening’s concert, but after a quick visit to the production room, it was confirmed that the storm was trending north. No delays were expected, so we made our way to the field.
Last weekend, Foo Fighters headlined their largest North American show ever at Empower Field at Mile High. It’s a testament to the band’s enduring appeal that they can still pack stadiums nearly 30 years after their performance at the Tibetan Freedom Concert in Golden Gate Park in 1996. Back then, they shared the stage with a veritable who’s who of the 90s music scene—Beastie Boys, A Tribe Called Quest, The Smashing Pumpkins, Björk, Rage Against the Machine, among others.
The evening began with promising weather, a balmy 84 degrees cooling to just below 70 as the night progressed. The regular summer rain had just passed, leaving a glowing rainbow in its wake as Christone “Kingfish” Ingram wrapped up his amazing Mississippi blues set. The atmosphere was set for what promised to be a memorable night.
On a warm July evening, the Denver Botanic Gardens transformed into a haven for Folk, laid-back Country Soul, and comedy fans, with John Craigie at the helm. Craigie, known for his sharp wit and soulful melodies, brought an intimate yet jovial atmosphere to the serene setting. As the sun faded into the west, the audience settled on blankets and lawn chairs broke out their wine and cheese and prepared to be serenaded amidst the lush flora.
Massive lines snaked through the concourses of the stadium as the the crowd, a vibrant mix of ages and backgrounds, buzzed with anticipation long before Joel took his seat at the grand piano. When the first notes of “Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway)” echoed through the stadium, I was instantly transported back to those days of listening to Storm Front on my yellow Sony Walkman.
Friday evening that showcased the raw authenticity and storytelling prowess that have cemented James McMurtry’s place among the great American troubadors. Walking into the cozy, intimate setting of Globe Hall, you could feel the anticipation in the air—a mix of longtime fans and curious newcomers ready to be swept away by McMurtry’s narratives. The venue, with its rustic charm and great BBQ, felt like the perfect backdrop for an artist whose lyrics often evoke the heartland’s gritty, real-life stories.
Shane Smith & the Saints lit up Red Rocks with their second headlining show in as many years, marking a triumphant return to the iconic venue. The last time I saw them perform at Red Rocks, they were supporting Lucero in a subdued atmosphere dictated by COVID restrictions. It was a limited capacity, and limited frills show. Fast forward a few years, and they’ve transformed into a powerhouse act, selling out the venue with ease and delivering a performance that left the crowd on the fire on a cold spring night in Colorado.