Cycles | 2017-11-24 | The Bluebird Theater, Denver, CO [SBD/AUD Matrix]

Just another manic #MusicMonday featuring Denver hometown favorite Cycles!

The throw-down that occurred at The Bluebird Theater last Friday was nothing short of spectacular, and it all started with Cycles. The band opened up the set with a tight version of “The House” which has proven itself as a sure-fire set opener, helping to smack crowds to attention at both Cervantes, back in August, and at The Fox Theatre, back in April. From there, the band played the newly recent pairing of “Pending > The Call,” which definitely has found new personality, shifting through several segments of swift guitar work over tight grooves and seguing into each other pretty seamlessly. Next up we had another newer tune, “The Lone Stranger,” which had Tucker experience some bass issues, leading to a completely off-the-cuff Patrick looping jam. I also loved the composed jam in the middle–it reminded me of a 90s club banger akin to something by Daft Punk. Next was a polished version of “Green,” which coalesced with a peak-filled guitar solo in the outro. The following three-song segment featured all fairly new tunes. The first, “The Ball,” featured Patrick on vocals and contained a swirling main riff, which bounced back and forth with its resolution. The song had some interesting lyrical moments as it delves into themes of fate and choice. The following tune, “The Left Hand Path,” had a hard rock vibe with a fierce chorus. The last of the newer tunes is the least new but my personal favorite of the three, the Michael Wood penned “The Auditorium Door”. There is just something about the way the chorus resolves to the lyrics “…the smell of roses” that just feels so right. If jams are your thing, the improv segment of the night came in “Something In The Water,” which featured some Cycles-styled boombastic exploration. One more new tune followed, called “The Martyr,” which had aggressively proggy verses and a blissfully melodic chorus. True kudos to Michael Wood for another brilliant tune. The set closing “Everything Must Go” was a great exclamation point on a set that showed a band that is progressing with every stage they set foot on. By the end, there was an audible murmuring from the crowd about how incredible the set was. Another stellar performance.

Cycles | 2017-11-24 | The Bluebird Theater, Denver, CO

One Set: The House, Pending > The Call, The Lone Stranger[1], Green, The Ball, The Left Hand Path, The Auditorium Door, Something In The Water, The Martyr > Everything Must Go

Show Notes: This set was an opening spot for The Magic Beans. This was Cycles’ first time performing at The Bluebird Theater.
[1] “The Lone Stranger” contained “Tweezer” (Phish) teases.

Taper Notes: FOB DFC Mics raised around 10′ PAS. Guitar was pretty light in the board mix so boosted frequency a bit in the AUD feed. Thank you to Brian for the board patch!

If you dig it - share it!