Summer shows... so far

So many. Where to begin? Of course there was there was Wakarusa. What can I say? Team Stellar and the rest of the Waka-crew made it an amazing time. The music was fantastic, and mostly because of groups/DJs/people we had never seen or heard of before. Of course the headliners were good, but the second acts stole the show. After getting a serious groove on at Pretty Lights, it was kinda hard to sit through a Yonder show, which seemed to have more banter and talking than it had music. Of course, they hadn't played together for a while, and they were maybe just warming up, but come on guys, it's fucking Waka, you've got to bring it! And they should know better, it isn't their first rodeo.

Sound Tribe sort of brought it, but never got quite as dirty as we were waiting for. But no worries, our dirtiness was fulfilled by The Egg, 20/20 Soundsystem, and Boombox, all of who brought the tents down! The surprise of the weekend for me? Black Crowes, who I hadn't realized are now playing with Luther from North Mississippi Allstars. They rocked. Sure, we didn't see the whole show, but I was definitely impressed.

Also a standout on the backwoods stage, Elephant Revival, who continues to amaze and amaze. Our first excursion out after returning to reality was an Elephant show at the Fox. They were, unbeknownst to us until show time, the opener for Ukelele Douchbag or something or other. There was another opener, Danielle Ate the Sandwich, who was lovely! Elephant then brought their wonderful positive aura onto the fox, and everyone had a blast. Hula girl was on stage for several songs, prompting us all to wonder why she isn't in a traveling circus? Absolutely amazing. Like, seriously unreal hula-hooping!

When Elephant finally had to make way for the headlining Ukele Loki and his Something or Other Orchestra, it was to the dismay of the crowd, about half of whom decided not to stick around. Ukelele had some potential, but I couldn't get over the feeling that Loki (the namesake and frontman) was a total jackass. I also got the distinct feeling that the rest of the band agreed with me. The girls hanging from the ceiling spinning around didn't help, either. I couldn't stop thinking about them falling and cracking a neck on the edge of the stage, which they were positioned directly on top of. It made me long for a nice. safe, beautiful hula girl. I also couldn't help but notice the attention one of the lovely ladies from Elephant got when she joined the crowd. Even during another band's performance, people were still captivated by Elephant Revival. In my opinion, the most refreshing, genuine and amazingly talented group in the area. These kids are gonna be huge!

What was next.... hmm. David Byrne? Pretty incredible. Long story, but our party bus ended up being the transport for his guitar, which was accidentally left in Teluride, and made its was to Red Rocks through the Mountain Sun and by way of Disco Dan (complements of the real guardian of the guitar, who shall remain nameless). No, we didn't play it. We didn't even take it out of the case to look at it. But we knew it was there! And we got it safely to Mr. Byrne, and all was well.

The show was a Talking Heads dance party, pretty much. An identical setlist to one I saw last fall at the Buelle Theater, but completely different in the context of Red Rocks. Awesome.

Then came a completely unexpected surprise show... a 'private' String Cheese Incident 'soundcheck' at the Ogden. The 'private' show was completely packed, and a little too hot. After spending the last month at festivals or outdoors performances, the rave-like sweatbox of the Ogden in June was a bit of a shock. Nevertheless, the boys threw down an amazing show. I swore I kept hearing Kyle tease 'Burning Down the House' but it was never played, and may have just been my imagination.

Last weekend we didn't make it to any live shows, but caught Darkside of the Rainbow at the Boulder Theater, a completely different experience than in a dorm room! It still blows me away. Of course, most of the second and third times that Darkside plays, it kinda loses it a bit, but is SO worth it for the ending...

Up next: STS9 at Red Rocks....