BROODS playing Lost Lake Lounge. Photo Credit: Robert Castro

It’s hard to pick just one venue that really stood out during 2014 because there are many. From the behemoth that is Red Rocks to the smaller venues like Larimer Lounge, we are in no short supply of amazing spots to see concerts. But, one venue in particular stood out to us as a haven for secret shows and intimate evenings. Enter: Lost Lake Lounge.

When Larimer Lounge owner and AEG talent buyer Scott Campbell was passed the torch by Matt LaBarge this year, people were skeptic that the authenticity of the dive bar would be lost. That the dank, rustic vibe would soon transform into another cookie-cutter LoDo bro hangout. But have no fear, Campbell was on the same page and only revamped the venue with a new stage and sound system. Thus, keeping the grungy, divey decor but adding in some necessary new speakers.

The remodel has attracted many artists to pop over after shows at The Bluebird for a wonderfully drunk post show performance. But better yet, the venue has prompted many artists to engage in acoustic sets on off days during tours. The lucky 75 or so people that can cram into the backroom have seen some of the best shows this year. There’s nothing that compares to seeing musicians, like Devotchka who can sell out Red Rocks Amphitheater, play an acoustic set to 75, maybe 100 people. Nothing like it. It is akin to catching a pop-up show or home show with your favorite artist. At Lost Lake Lounge, you feel like you’ve been gifted some type of insider information that less than 1% of the population knows. Because, how else would you be in a room the size of a living room listening to BROODS play?

Our top acts at Lost Lake Lounge this year were: Young & Sick, BROODS, Shakey Graves post show party, Roadkill Ghost Choir, Of Montreal, Devotchka, Deer Tick, Mickey Avalon, Mansions on the Moon and Lord Huron.

If you have yet to check out this local watering hole, we suggest grabbing their signature Lost Lake Beer (like Rolling Rock but better) and seeing a show. You never know who may show up…

It’s been awhile since I’ve seen a show as visually dynamic as the DeVotchKa show this past Friday at Red Rocks Ampitheater. Accompanied by the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, a beautiful light show, and ribbon-dancers, DeVotchKa truly blew me away.

Opening the night were local acts Paper Bird and Amanda Palmer. Paper Bird, a Fort Collins-based folk outfit welcomed fans in with their fun, upbeat tunes and beautiful harmonies. The trio of women fronting the band (Emsé, Sarah, and Genevieve) all have beautiful, dynamic voices that can carry a room. As if that wasn’t enough, their harmonies are...haunting. So spot on that you couldn’t even imagine better. Playing fun, upbeat tunes with fun lyrics, they were a great way to ease into the evening. Amanda Palmer took to the stage next, accompanied by the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. A unique, almost mysterious and dark sound, Amanda Palmer is generally accompanied by a small backing band, so to see her with a full orchestra behind her was mind-blowing. Singing fan favorites, as well as a few selections off of her new album “Theatre is Evil” which was just released, there was a dynamic range of music in her set: some happy, some sad, some full of epic chorus’, and some including little ducky squeaks. I had never seen her perform before, and was very impressed. Ending her set with “Coin Operated Boy” (a song written originally for her past group The Dresden Dolls), her and conductor Scott O’Neal swapped places, letting her conduct, while he played piano! It was unique and fun to watch live, and certainly unlike anything else I’d ever seen before.

DeVotchKa taking the stage at Red Rocks Ampitheater

Finally, just as the sun began to take its place setting behind the great Rocky Mountains, DeVotchKa took stage. Opening with “The Clockwise Witness”, the set quickly took on a life of it’s own as the band played a wide array of songs from across their discography. Fans seemed a little unsure at first of how to view the show: most fans continued to sit when the band first took stage as one usually does at a Symphony, but by the end of the evening the audience had let any semblance of “proper actions” drift away into the night, and were dancing, moving, and reacting however they felt necessary as the band continued to sweep through dynamic songs like “Comrade Z”, to the beautiful “How It Ends”. About halfway through the set, the band was accompanied on stage by a troupe of acrobatic women. These girls came out one at a time, and began dancing on giant satin ropes hanging from the top of the stage during the song “Undone”. Vocalist Nick Urata sang with fervor to a crowd of thousands, who were all watching the girls, mesmerized by their daring yet beautiful moves. Accompanied at the end of the set by operatic vocalist Timur and Amanda Palmer for a beautiful rendition of “The Enemy Guns”, DeVotchKa’s performance was timeless, and beautiful. The set moved through songs like scenes of a movie, taking their audience through the evening emotion by emotion.

Maddie