Count On Cut Copy For a Good Time!

Cut Copy at the Ogden (Photo Cred: Meesh Deyden)

Cut Copy this last Wednesday in Denver, may have been one of the most fun shows I’ve attended all year. The Australian band made up of miraculous multi instrumentalists, reminded me of Dads everywhere in their white and cream colored business casual ensembles, and they had Dad dance moves to match.

Songwriter, producer, and DJ Dan Whitford started Cut Copy in 2001 as a solo project and put out a single and an EP before adding more members to help execute his full, synthy sound. At this point in time, the band has 4 total members and a style that has evolved from daytime disco meets synth pop, to pretty straightforward dance pop. The group has 5 albums and a Grammy under their belt for Best Dance/Electronic album in 2012.

The crowd at Ogden Wednesday was made up of 20 somethings with an appreciation for synths and bustin’ a move, and everyone in the venue was doing exactly that. There wasn’t a still body in the venue, and wide eyes and equally wide grins were hard to ignore. Local yogi and music fan, Riley Chapman said, “I knew I had to see them once I listened to their new album after a 4 year hiatus. I was blown away by the production and their stage presence. The vibes and energy at the Ogden evoked a visceral reaction to let loose and move your body! I felt like I was surrounded by a bunch of wild animals whose only given purpose was to dance down!”

DJ Dan Whitford (Photo Cred: Meesh Deyden)

“Lights & Music” the bands “banger” from 2008 album In Ghost Colours, has an 80’s pop meets LCD Sound System sound about it, and got the crowd dancing harder than the substances they had taken. (Hehe.) “Footsteps” from album Free Your Mind was also one of the tracks that sent the crowd into a sort of frenzy, so it was nice that songs like “Standing in the Middle of the Field” and “Airborne” from newest album Haiku From Zero were on the mellower side of the set. The set appealed to hipsters and club kids alike, and the versatility was pleasant to see.

Words: Lina Skrzypczak Images: Meesh Deyden

Tim Hoey (Photo Cred: Meesh Deyden)

Quite the crowd (Photo Cred: Meesh Deyden)

Westword Music Festival Review and Photos

Austin's own Shakey Graves headlined The Westword Music Showcase (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

The Westword Music Festival proved you don't need an EDM headliner to pack in a full house. Such was evident this past Saturday as the annual one day music festival once again invaded the Golden Triangle in Denver. With a heavier influence on folk rock this year bands such as The Revivalist and headliner Shakey Graves entertained the masses without missing a step. 

Trev Rich giving his hometown an amazing performance. (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

The festival once again played host to numerous local bands all along the various bars and venues spread out. Some of our favorite performances included sets from Kayla Marque, Cheap Perfume, The Other Black, Altas, and IZCALLI. The two main stages had us hopping back and forth to catch sets from Edison, Arizona (not the state), Coin, and hometown favorite and Cash Money Recording artist Trev Rich.

Wesley Watkins of The Other Black (Photo Credit: Aly McClaran)

Australian outfit Cut Copy have been around for quite sometime now and still managed to have the whole festival dancing (the only dance/electronic act) on the main stage. Hits like "Lights and Music" created a rather sweaty dance party before we headed over to The Revivalist for some knee slapping fun.

Cut Copy still making us dance after all these years (Photo Credit: Aly McClaran)

This years headliner came to us all the way from Austin, Texas and has been spending some time up in the mountains recording what we hope is a new album. The last time we had a chance to see Shakey Graves was for a Budweiser event this past summer. Always a huge draw in Colorado, he managed to give us an amazing performance that had the crowd singing and clapping no more evident than his big hit "Dearly Departed" coincidentally performed by him and Denver artist Esme Patterson (we didn't get no Esme unfortunately). This years festival was packed once again as it always is, we just wish more people would flock to the smaller venues to see some of the best Colorado bands play, bands like Edison, Redlands, and other main stage acts got their start by playing these smaller stages and as you can see the hard work has paid off. Kudos to the amazing team behind the scenes who put this together and allow us to be a important player when it comes to helping support the festival. Until next year...

Photos by Ultra5280's Robert Castro and Aly McClaran (Do not use without permission)

Westword Music Showcase Announces Their First Wave of 2017 Acts

The initial announcement of lineups was announced today for the 2017 Westword Music Showcase. While the last few years have focused more among some of the best EDM acts this year the switched it up a bit and bring us the blues-folk-rock of Austin's own Shakey Graves. Others announced were The Revivalists, Cut Copy, Bob Moses and Coin. Always an awesome festival, this years lineup is sure to catch the eye of Denver's eclectic music lovers.

The last time we saw Shakey Graves was for a Budweiser event this past Summer in downtown Denver. The Austinite has been making amazing music for a few years now and has found a second home here in Denver due to his popularity. Be on the lookout as other acts continue to pop up for this festival in the up and coming weeks.

Cut Copy at the Ogden Theater: October 4, 2011: Review

Ultra5280 was in the house last Tuesday night as we headed out to the Ogden Theater. Cut Copy, without a doubt, managed to throw one of the better dance parties I’ve ever been to.  The Ogden was totally packed for the Australian quartet, and they certainly didn’t disappoint.  Washed Out set a good stage, getting the crowd moving, but the excitement really rose when Cut Copy took the stage.

Opening with “Take Me Over,” Cut Copy gave everyone exactly what they wanted with their danceable tunes that gave everyone energy.  The crowd did not stop dancing for the entire show.  They played through most of their favorite tracks, including “Lights and Music” and “Hearts on Fire,” playing for well over an hour.  Nobody on stage stopped moving for the entire set, with a light show that was simply fun to watch.  The strobes and lasers complemented the music in unison as the Ogden crowd absorbed the musical ecstasy.

Even though it was a Tuesday night, Denver certainly brought it hard to the Ogden.  Everyone in the house was willing to sacrifice a few hours of sleep for the fun that Cut Copy had to offer.