The xx Made Their Triumphant Return To Denver

The xx (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

What was originally scheduled as a Red Rocks show got moved to the 1st Bank Center due to snowy weather (leave it to Colorado for it to be clear after all) The XX still managed to play an amazing set for the less than sold out arena (many got refunds due to venue switch). Riding the wave of their recently released third studio album I See You, the band played a majority of newer material. Opening things with their much acclaimed "Intro" Romy Craft directed the attention as she wailed away to the opening riffs of the classic from their first album. Flanked by founding members Oliver Sim and Jamie xx the band ripped through an almost two hour set. Sim at one point acknowledged the crowd as to the unfortunate factors that caused the venue change exclaiming that "Mother Nature is a bitch" and almost certainly said they would return to the majestic venue. 

The band definitely is at full speed when Jamie xx is on his game as he plays the role of conductor throughout the entire set with his array of instruments that give the band the true organic sound. Highlight of the night was as Croft and Sim left the stage with only him at the helm, he went into his recently released version of "On Hold" that went straight into the original version as the rest of the band came back out on stage to finish off the number before Romy shined on "Angels" to end the night. A perfect ending to an otherwise unexpecting 48 hours. 

Openers Perfume Genius put on an amazing show that surely garnered some new fans judging by the reaction during their set. 

Setlist:

Intro | Crystalised | Say Something Loving | Islands | Lips | Dangerous | I Dare You | Performance | Infinity | A Violent Noise | Brave For You | VCR | Fiction | Shelter | Loud Places (Jamie xx cover) | Encore: On Hold | Angels

Words and Images: Robert Castro

Bring Me The Horizon/Underoath Photo Essay: 1st Bank Center: March 29, 2017

British rockers Bring Me The Horizon made a stop in our fair city last night. We were on hand to capture their extravagant production as we were all taken back to our metalcore days. Check out our photos.

Photo Credit: Miles Chrisinger DO NOT USE WITHOUT PERMISSION. All Rights Reserved

The Killers | Battle Born | Album Review

It has been a while since The Killers graced us with there ever so delightful arena rock anthems, we have all come to love…. or hate (insert Sam’s Town).  Well, the boys from Vegas are back with their new album Battle Born and upon first listen, I can say that the production on the album fails to disappoint. While it is hard to trump Hot Fuss, which had a more dance/new wave feel, Battle Born seems to take us on a voyage from beginning to end, an album that seems to fit like a perfect puzzle. 

With Brandon Flowers once again commanding vocal duties, it is his recognizable voice that carries the album. Joining him is Ronnie Vanucci Jr. on drums, Mark Stoerner on bass, and Dave Keuning on guitar.  This is their fourth studio album that was recorded in their hometown studio in Las Vegas.

 On the first track he asks, “What are you made of…?” demanding the chorus of the track “Flesh and Bone”.  The first single off the album “Runaway” displays some very intricate and carefully masterful guitar play from Keuning and bassist Stoerner. The track has been getting heavy radio play and soon will have us all singing it in our sleep. With Flowers belting out the chorus, it is his story telling that seems to get lost in translation as it is carefully put together from the beginning of the song until the final guitar riff. On "From Here On Out", Flowers channels his inner Petty and Springsteen with a song that would seem fit for a cross-country trip through middle America.

A sense of musical maturity has been established on this album and having the right people behind the mixing boards can truly give it it’s dynamic sound. Gone are the dance-friendly tracks in favor of the epic anthems and songs of heartbreak that they seem to be churning out today.

I would say that I do favor the sound on Hot Fuss and Sawdust a bit more, but Battle Born will give any fan of The Killers a new sound of experimentation that every band toys with during their career at one point. I would rate this album a solid 8 out of 10.

Fans can check out their live American Express UNSTAGED performance tonight:

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheKillersVEVO/unstaged

Also, they are getting ready to head out on tour with its first stop right here in Colorado at The 1st Bank Center on  November 29th with Tegan and Sara. More info can be found here.

Castro​

Radiohead at the 1st Bank Center: 3/13 Review

Tuesday night at The 1st Bank Center in Broomfield was one for the ages.  Thom Yorke and company delighted the sold-out crowd with a show that will be talked about for years to come.  For me it held a special place; Radiohead has been my favorite band for a long time now and getting a chance to see them live for the first time was truly an experience in itself.  We arrived just in time for the opening number “Bloom” of their latest album King of Limbs. Flanked by an LED wall and panels that changed position with each different song, the visual element of the show only added to the grand spectacle of the performance. The square panels often shifted after a song and displayed a visual of each member’s face, giving us a closer look at the passion they put into each and every song.

The night’s setlist ranged from singles coming off of seven of their eight studio albums.  While showcasing more from their latest, they still played a few classics including “Karma Police”, “Street Spirit”, and “The National Anthem”.  As the set grew, it seemed that Yorke became more acclimated to the crowd, dancing and interacting. ”Where are we? Where the fuck are we? ...somewhere in the mountains”.  The crowd ate it up and continued to rock out to the almost three hour set.

Yorke and company seemed in their comfort zone, it usually takes a band a while to reach that level, but with nine shows under their belt on this current tour, you can see how each member thrives off each other. The Greenwood brothers, Johnny and Colin, have always brought a unique element to their live sets with an array on non-conventional instruments that gives Radiohead that signature sound we have all come to love, or hate. For this tour they have brought in another drummer in addition to Phil Selway, judging by their unique bald look you wouldn’t be able to tell the two apart.  The often under appreciated Ed O’Brien rounds out the band. Many of Radiohead’s harmonies are created by the talented O’Brien; none more evident than when they played “There, There”.

In all, the show would rank as one of my favorites of all time. It’s hard to say that when I consider them my favorite band, but nobody would agree more than the 5,000 plus in attendance that night. 

Castro

SETLIST
BLOOM | LITTLE BY LITTLE |THE NATIONAL ANTHEM/HUNTING BEARS |THE GLOAMING |MORNING MR. MAGPIE| STAIRCASE | CODEX | SEPARATOR | NUDE | KARMA POLICE | THE AMAZING SOUNDS OF ORGY | BODYSNATCHERS | FERAL | LOTUS FLOWER | RECKONER | STREET SPIRIR (FADE OUT) | 
ENCORE: WEIRD FISHES/ARPEGGI | THERE, THERE | LUCKY | TRUE LOVE WAITS/EVERYTHING IN ITS RIGHT PLACE | GIVE UP THE GHOST | MYXOMATOSIS | IDIOTEQUE

 

Pretty Lights to ring in the New Year

 While you are all still recovering from a Christmas food baby and possible hang over, it is time to start getting amped up for a two-night New Year celebration with Pretty Lights and company.  The 30th will open with Porter Robinson and Supervision alongside Derek Smith while the 31st will include Zedd and Paul Basic.  A sold out 1st Bank Center, packed with 5,000 plus people, could possibly explode due to high energy and some serious bass.  When the countdown begins and the clock strikes midnight, Pretty Lights will definitately bring it harder than the party happening in Times Square.  The expectation has been set!

Amanda