Last Sunday Denver was treated to KTCL 93.3's annual "Not So Silent Night" at the FirstBank Center in Broomfield. Featuring Saints of Valory, Bastille, New Politics, GroupLove, Young The Giant, and local act My Body Sings Electric opening the show, fans spent a long evening being hit back to back with great bands of varying musical styles.
New Politics frontman David Boyd being held by the crowd
Beyond great shows, each band brought their own unique flavor to the very diverse bill. The perky pop sounds of Saints of Valory quickly gave way to the brooding, rhythmic, and brilliant Bastille coming to use all the way from the UK. From there the crowd was treated to acrobatics galore from Danish friends New Politics, and the night was closed out by the charismatic band of friends aptly named Grouplove, and ever-melodic Young The Giant. December 1st was also the night this year's Hometown For The Holidays Top Ten bands were announced. This annual competition gives local bands the chance to get radio airplay for a week on 93.3FM, garnering votes from the stations listeners. From there, the top three bands play a show at the week's end, and the winner takes home $1,000 as well as some recording time at the infamous Blasting Room in Fort Collins, Colorado.
As fun as the show was beginning to end, I must say that in my own personal opinion, Bastille and New Politics truly stole the show. I don't know what it is about those crazy boys from Denmark, they just have SO much energy! Both times I've seen them live there's a smile plastered to my face beginning to end, and they make it clear that they leave it all right there on stage. Bastille is slowly but surely taking the world by storm with their single "Pompeii", and the raw emotion and power of the song comes across live in the most fantastic way. With lead singer Dan's voice sounding so pure you'd swear it was auto-tuned, and out-of-this-world arrangements and harmonies live, the entire room buzzed with joy throughout their set. OH, did I mention that lead singer Dan Smith was wearing a shirt featuring E.T. falling out of his basket on that famous flying bicycle of his, aaand a calculator watch? That automatically makes him a winner in my book.
Take a second to step away from listening to our great local acts on air, and check out this photo essay from last weekend's events by our own Maddie Casey.
