RAQ | 2018-02-02 | Be On Key Psychedelic Ripple, Denver, CO [SBD/AUD Matrix]

Believe me when I tell you this music is free…#FreeMusicFriday is here with RAQ‘s FIRST night headlining Be On Key Psychedelic Ripple!

Raq was finally back in Denver after a two year absence and threw down two fiery sets for the anxious Denver crowd. The last time they were in town they played what would end up being the final shows of the 1UP’s live music hosting career. The band was in top form, opening up the first set with an extensive “Gabvonie” that made a clear statement that the band was ready to play their hearts out. This energy continued through to the instrumental “Premium” which featured stellar guitar work from Chris Michetti and the always poignant keyboard phrasing of Todd Stoops. The party only continued as they launched into the anthemic riffs of “Welcome To The Donkey Show”. About 4 minutes in the band brings everything down a bit and settles into a very steady super locked-in groove which builds some tempo before eventually melting into beautiful rendition of The Beatles classic (aren’t they all?) “Dear Prudence”. Later, the set would close out with the unfinished “Welcome To The Donkey Show” after a raucous “Tumbling Down” which featured its own jammy highlights including a peak-heavy tension-release improv segment near the end.

The second set showed no signs of slowing down as the band opened with the uptempo “Botz” then segued into the even more high energy and precise “Clamslide” which contained another one of the evenings jam highlights with a fierce improv segment that built itself tall and peaked with a nice crowd check-in. Next, the band busted out “Japan” for the first time in 11 years. It was a patient and atmospheric instrumental tune with a beautiful composition. The band executed it well which is solid since they predicted this may be the last time the ever play it (I forgot to ask why after the show). The segues and jams only continued as the band delivered a hefty version of “Beauregard” and a driven “The Ventriloquist”. My personal highlight came at the end of the second set during the jam for “Carbohydrates Are The Enemy”. The super patient and ambient jam rises from the ethereal mist and provides one of the most inspiring moments I’ve ever listened to at Be On Key. It’s one of those jams where the peak seems to transcend a simple resolution of a measure or tone; the peak builds organically and has this exuberant moment when Michetti’s guitar simply soars over the packed Be On Key crowd. The moment everything changes is so short but so impactful. After breaking everything down to almost silence, the band starts to build itself again, the selflessness of each player is on perfect show here, everyone adding just enough to keep the song alive and the crowd in suspense. If you want to experience the shorthand version, go to the 8:00 minute mark, right as Michetti takes command the rest of the band builds this slow but eventually sonically huge wall to lift up the guitar and Chris nails the take off. It’s maybe 20-30 seconds but it’s moments like those that jamband fans chase. Really beautiful. The band encored with a fun take on Fugazi’s “Waiting Room” before seguing into the final segments of the unfinished “Botz” providing the second musical sandwich of the evening.

Such a great night of music from one of the jamband greats. I left more excited than I ever anticipated for the round 2.

RAQ | 2018-02-02 | Be On Key Psychedelic Ripple, Denver, CO

Set 1: Gabvonie, Premium, Welcome To The Donkey Show -> Dear Prudence -> Moxey, Tumbling Down -> Welcome To The Donkey Show

Set 2: Botz -> Clamslide, Japan -> Beauregard > The Ventriloquist[1] > Sweet Cream Butter, Carbohydrates Are The Enemy

Encore: Waiting Room -> Botz

Many many thanks to RAQ and Be On Key Psychedelic Ripple for being cool with taping/sharing shows. Go see live music and tip your bartenders! #spacetapes

LINK: https://archive.org/…/RAQ2018-02-02.AKG.P170.AUD.SBD.Matrix/