Nardo Wick Brings The Smoke To Bluebird Theater

April 25, 2022

Bubbling Florida rapper Nardo Wick brought his Who Is Nardo Wick? Tour to Denver’s Bluebird Theater with Rob49 and The Wicked Gang for a night of rowdy rap music that fans were craving. Opening up the night was a couple members of the Wicked Gang, including LA Varis - who performed his popular song “Brand New”. Playing direct support was New Orleans up and coming rapper Rob49, who had fans jumping from front to back with songs like “Vulture Island” and “Phone Ringing”.

After the two short opening sets, the Denver crowd was hungry for headliner Nardo Wick to make his Denver debut. Nardo appeared to a sea of cell phone lights, running through hits off his debut project Who Is Nardo Wick? , iced out in chains, bracelets, and watches. The energy was high, with fans screaming along to every word the Jacksonville rapper spit. Nardo saved the best for last, finishing off the night playing his evil chart topper “Who Want Smoke??” which features verses from Lil Durk, 21 Savage, and G Herbo. Wick took a final lap while the featured verses played out, taking Snapchat videos with ecstatic fans and giving them iconic videos they’ll cherish forever.

Words and Images - Trey Karson

Hometown Boys 3OH3! Kickoff Summer With A High Energy Red Rocks Show

June 3, 2021

With capacity allowing almost all concertgoers now at Red Rocks it was only right to have hometown boys 3OH3! get things started. The raucous duo of Sean Foreman and Nathaniel Motte have been making the rounds as this electronic outfit for years and have still shown that they know how to throw a party. Those in attendance danced and even got a chance to sample some newer material the band has been cooking up, we can’t wait to hear more.

Photos by Trey Karson

Phantogram Gives Us A Glimpse Of New Material

August 22, 2019

What better way to kick off opening month of the Mission Ballroom than new music from one of our favorite bands Phantogram. The duo of Sarah Barthel and Josh Carter have been busy in the studio making new music including a few singles which are out now including Mister Impossible and Into Happiness. Relying on a surplus of heavy synths and jangling guitar play the duo has kept to the formula with making only a few minor tweaks to the sound we have all come to love. Their Mission Ballroom performance was one of three stops in our fair state as they also played The Stanley Hotel and Mishawaka Amphitheatre. They also managed to fit in a DJ set after their performance at Mission at Larimer Lounge. The band production has grown as well as a drop down curtain similar to one they had a few years ago on another tour flanked the stage. The New York duo had always had a penchant for making us dance and Sunday night was no different as they ripped through their set and complimented Colorado on the new venue as Barthel mentioned the shiny new digs.

Words and Image-Robert Castro

Gods of Summer Tour ft. Ra Ra Riot, Jimmy Eat World and Third Eye Blind

June 24, 2019

Third Eye Blind (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

On a cold rainy Saturday, Denver witnessed the Gods of Summer Tour featuring Third Eye Blind and Jimmy Eat World. Anybody growing up in the mid to late nineties got to witness two of music post grunge pioneers. The tour stopped at Levitt Pavilion this past Saturday, with rain forecasted throughout the night concert fans got lucky as the stormed only played havoc for about 20 minutes before the skies cleared and the bands belted out all the classics we have come to love. Ra Ra Riot opened up the festivities to get things started. Followed shortly by the band from Tempe, Arizona. Jim Adkins and company rallied in the rain to give us a dose of nostalgia from albums such as Bleed America, Static Prevails and Futures. Fan favorites included “The Middle”, “Sweetness” and “Pain”. The band has maintained its cult following for years now and luckily for us we have had the chance to follow them throughout their fabled careers.

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World slaying in front of a packed Levitt house. (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

As the rain stopped it was time for bay area rockers Third Eye Blind to hit the stage. Adorned in a bright yellow hoodie with matching sneakers frontman Stephan Jenkins and company opened with “Screamer”, which happens to be the name of their forthcoming album set to drop in July. Playing out like the soundtrack to any 90’s teen movie the band ripped through classics such as “Never Let You Go”, “Semi-Charmed Life” and “Jumper”. The band managed to show its relevance with Jenkins commanding the stage, some brief audience banter about the show feeling like a basement show due to its intimate setting and lack of production lighting (weather uncertainties caused them to stay in their trailers). For some it was a show that featured two bands that had a major impact in their teenage adolescent years, while others basked in the comfort knowing that good music still exists even if they achieved popularity in the 90’s.

Ra Ra Riot (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

J. Lo Dazzles In Denver With Her It's My Party Tour

June 20, 2019

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Jennifer Lopez is currently in the midst of her current tour rightfully named the It’s My Party Tour. The party invaded Denver’s Pepsi Center this past Wednesday night as the atmosphere came to life via an amazing glamorous production. For me personally I was sharing my own birthday so the whole night seemed surreal and a perfect way to celebrate. Now we’ve all know Lopez from her television/film/dance background, seeing her live proved to be worthy as she proved to be one of the industry’s most charismatic artist. With a production featuring lights, balloons, smoke, pyro, and a hanging dazzling chandelier that dropped to the center of the stage, there wasn’t a single vantage point in the whole arena that didn’t warrant the price of admission. That as well as the numerous costumes and outfits she graced the crowd with. Jaw dropping ensembles paired perfectly with the production giving each song even more meaning.

Lopez has recently shined with her collaborations with fellow latino artist such as Pitbull, Bad Bunny, and Cardi B. In fact the mostly dominant latino crowd ate up the celebration as they sang word for word from her vast catalog. Spanish hits such as “Dinero”, “Te Guste”, “Te Bote” and “El Anillo”, all set off impromptu dance parties across the floor and up and down the aisles.

She did manage to reach back into the archives with fan favorites we have come to love such as “Get Right”, “I’m Real”, and “Jenny From the Block”. It was those songs that introduced the world to Jennifer Lopez and seeing them come to life with amazing pageantry reminded us how far J. Lo has come. Much of the credit to her live performances has to go to the amazing dancers she has brought on this tour, a former fly-girl herself, Lopez meshed amazingly well with each choreographed routine.

J. Lo dazzles in Denver. (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

One of the most touching parts of the show was when she brought out her daughter Emme for their version of “Limitless/Titanium”. It’s heartfelt moments such as that which enables Lopez to control the show from an all out dance party to a more sincere moment at the drop of a dime.

The consensus amongst the crowd as they exited the aisles was a shared admiration for what they had just witnessed. For me it felt more personal as I mentioned it was my birthday and I felt like the whole show was dedicated to me, an amazing way to celebrate my day.

Anderson .Paak Delivers the Show Of The Year (so far...)

June 17, 2019

Anderson .Paak looks up in awe off the Red Rocks crowd. (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

We have reached the almost mid-way part of the year, and usually about this time we get to witness a show that is deemed as an early front-runner for show of the year. Friday night Anderson . Paak may have easily won that honor. The Best Teef In The Game Tour as it is aptly titled stormed into Red Rocks on Friday night. Getting the evening started was Colorado favorite Thundercat who ripped through baselines like a bat out of hell. Next up was Earl Sweatshirt who’s lyrical prowess was appreciated by all.

The stage was set for .Paak as a silhouette emerged behind a LED box with only him and a drum set barely visible as the flames that adorned the stage lit up as he slowly rose up and appeared above above the stage. Flanked by his amazing band The Free Nationals the California native ripped through his extensive catalog of hits from all four of his albums (aptly named for California cities). Crowd favorites included “Come Down”, “Glowed Up” (Kaytranada Cover), “Bubblin”, “Come Home”. Yielding his biggest production to date, .Paak showed all 9,000 plus in attendance why he sone of the most versatile performers in the business. He showcased his drumming skills on a few of the songs and left a lasting impression with a tasteful tribute to the late Mac Miller to end his set. All in all the buzz after the show was felt with a positive vibe knowing that we had just witnessed a show for the ages.