Rainbow Kitten Surprise Impress With Red Rocks Performance

Indie rock ambassadors Rainbow Kitten Surprise made a stop at Red Rocks to a packed house on Monday evening. We fell in love with the band the last two times they came out to the Mile High and what better way to welcome them back than have them at the musical magic kingdom known as Red Rocks. Those who couldn’t score a coveted ticket were still able to catch the performance live via Facebook and YouTube (something we wish more bands would do). Their performance was nothing short of brilliant as frontman Sam Melo directed the pace of the night. The band is well known for their amazing live sets and Monday was no different as the band fed of each others energy to put on one of the better sets we have seen this year. Favorites included “Cocaine Jesus”, “Devil Like Me”, as well as an impressive opening cover of The Eagles “Take It Easy” who were joined by opening act Caamp. Speaking of Caamp they managed to get the party started right with an impressive set fueling the crowd for the headliners. We can see a headlining set for the band in the future judged by this performance. All in all a great night of music under the rocks.

Words: Robert Castro

Images: Joel Rekiel

Caamp with an impressive set to open things up. Photo Credit: Joel rekiel

The Shins with Spoon | Red Rocks Amphitheatre | October 5, 2017

The Shins with openers Spoon perform at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on October 5, 2017. Photos by Aly McClaran

Queens Of The Stone Age Rocked Red Rocks

One of the most anticipated shows of the year took place last night at the most majestic venue in the world (we will never get tired of calling it that). Queens of the Stone Age arrived and rocked the sold out crowd for almost two hours of straight in your face rock and roll. Led by super suave frontman Josh Homme, the band had a chance to introduce the die hard fans to newer material off their latest album Villains. The band opened with "Feet Don't Fail Me" a standout track off the new record. The eery and haunting intro set the tone for what would be an epic night of new hits as well as some old favorites including "Little Sister", "My God Is The Sun", "No One Knows", and "A Song For The Dead". Homme and company were in fine form as they played each song with tremendous energy and without any restraint. Such is the case when any band plays at this venue. Opening the night were UK rockers Royal Blood who have impressed us on more than one occasion as they continue to climb the ranks of the best up and coming bands.

Josh Homme of Queens of The Stone Age ( Photo Credit: Bridget Burnett)

Setlist: Feet Don't Fail Me | First It Giveth | Avon | The Evil Has Landed | My God Is the Sun | Smooth Sailing | Domesticated Animals | The Way You Used To Do | Leg Of Lamb | I Appear Missing | Villains Of Circumstance | Little Sister | Un-Reborn Again | If I Had A TAil | Make It Wit Chu | I Sat By The Ocean | Sick, Sick, Sick | Go With The Flow | No One Knows | Encore: Head Like A Haunted House | A Song For The Dead

Words: Robert Castro

Images: Bridget Burnett

Com Truise Let Loose At Red Rocks This Past Weekend

Seth Haley aka Com Truise doing work during his Red Rocks set. (Photo Credit: Austin Voldseth)

Earlier this summer Com Truise - aka LA-based producer Seth Haley - released Iteration, his first full length in 6 years, and toured North America with Warp stalwart Clark. Haley is back out on the road, this time joining Nosaj Thing and Lotus, and made a stop at Red Rocks this past Saturday. With a well rounded set Haley warmed up the crowd for an amazing night of music flanked by an array of visuals that made you wish you wore your brightest neon colored tank top.


Deeply inspired by sci-fi scores, Iteration's slick, shimmery synths and booming, metallic beats further developed the Tron-like world that has become synonymous with Com Truise. His live set embraces the simplistic lines of 80's sci-fi - he is near darkness, backlight by transfixing neon visuals.

A focused Com Truise getting the party started at Red Rocks. (Photo Credit: Com Truise)

All photos courtesy of Austin Voldseth. All Rights Reserved.

alt-j | Red Rocks Amphitheatre | August 7, 2017

All photos by Robert Castro. All Rights Reserved

Portugal. The Man Celebrate New Album With Two Back To Back Performances In Denver

John Gourley of Portugal. the Man (Photo Credit: Robert Castro)

New music Fridays gave us the highly anticipated album from Portland (by way of Alaska) indie darlings Portugal. The Man. What better way to celebrate than by hosting two shows in our amazing city. The first more intimate show took place on Saturday at The Bluebird Theater (probably not as cozy as their Larimer show a few years ago) with the second of two taking place at Red Rocks. We had a chance to check out the show at Red Rocks with amazing opening performances from Car Seat Head Rest (although their set was cut to 5-6 songs), Local Natives who captured the crowds energy right off the bat with songs from their newest album. The mood was set for John Gourley and company as the lights went dark and the Righteous Brother's "Unchained Melody" blared as the band began to settle in.

Opening with a cover of Metallica's "For Whom The Bell Tolls", into their customary mash up of "Another Brick In The Wall/Purple. Yellow, Red and Blue", the band tore through an almost two hour set of  classics such as "Modern Jesus", "So American" and encore "Atomic Man". Throw in a cover of Oasis's "Don't Look Back At Anger" which highlighted the famous falsetto of John Gourley to give it a new dimension. The show was highlighted heavily by material off their new album that just dropped Friday Woodstock. The radio friendly and early nominee for catchiest song of the summer "Feel The Still" went over pretty well with the 9,500 plus in attendance. The two night Denver stay proved to be worthy for a band that reminded us all of why Red Rocks is the best venue in the world.

Words and photos: Robert Castro