Open up your heart! Everybody’s got it hard…except you because now you’ve got Guster playing Copper Mountain Ski Resort!
Guster has some serious love for Colorado, as they treated front-range Gusterrhoids to their second show in less than a week, this time up in the mountains of Frisco for a free show at the Copper Mountain Ski Resort. The stage was setup smack dab in the middle of the Ski Resort’s village square, at the head of a field-long bed of grass that was a bit..mushy. The event was a part of the “Red, White, Brews & Tunes” concert series hosted by 10 Barrel Brewing Company, who hosted a stein-holding contest to pass the time as fans anxiously awaited the start of the show.
As always, Guster never disappoints. It was cool to see friendly faces I met at the Littleton show just six days earlier, who were equally fanatical enough to make the trek up into the mountains for another show in less than a week. Lucky for us, Guster can’t seem to write a bad song and enjoys mixing things up each show. Fans who made it out to both the Littleton show as well as the Copper Mountain show saw a total of 20 unique songs and only 9 repeats. That is a pretty impressive number for a band that rarely extends any of their songs past their already radio-friendly run-times. Some of the songs unique to Copper Mountain were the longingly hopeful “Architects & Engineers”, longtime fan favorites “Airport Song”, and “Happier”, the opener off of 2015’s “Evermotion” titled “Long Night”, as well as a deeper cut off that record, “Gangway”.
Past the set list, Guster always manages to inject something new into the experience. This particular show, Guster played two improv songs, the first was inspired by an onlooker on the balcony of one of the hotels overlooking the village square. Ryan told fans he had been fixated on making sure this shirtless onlooker didn’t stop watching the show, and when he re-appeared, he donned a sleeveless shirt that inspired the number. The second improv tune was in reference to one of Guster’s earliest tours where they opened for southern-rock jamband Widespread Panic and New Orleans funk group Galactic. Apparently the spreadheads did not appreciate Guster’s blend of folk rock, and the band ended up playing to empty stadiums.
Another unique moment that the band didn’t plan was during the final lines of the first chorus of “Demons”, when the PA cut out, and the band could only be faintly heard through their on-stage amplification. Still the show must go on, and the band never stopped. To the solemn beat of Brian’s drum, the crowd took over for the second verse and second chorus, leading to a beautifully communal sing-a-long. Guster fans have some nice pipes! The PA then came back just in time for the final chorus, resulting in a triumphant cheer from the crowd. Funny enough, the PA experienced some more issues during the beginning of “Overexcited”, coincidentally cutting back in during the line in the chorus, “Can’t do damn thing about it”.
Guster’s music is incredibly cathartic. The joy that exudes from the crowd as they sing-a-long to their favorites songs or laugh at some goofy banter or improv song is infectious, and their constant knack for writing unique and incredibly catchy songs makes them an easy choice, every time. May I suggest three shows in a week next time?
Guster | 2019-07-06 | Copper Mountain Ski Resort, Frisco, CO
-= One Set =-
01. (Intro)
02. The Captain
03. Terrified
04. Backyard
05. Bad Bad World
06. Airport Song
07. Long Night
08. Architects & Engineers
09. Come Downstairs And Say Hello
10. Happier
11. (Banter / “Shirtless Bro” Improv Song)
12. Red Oyster Cult
13. Demons[1]
14. Gangway[1]
15. Overexcited
16. Look Alive
17. Satelite
18. Barrel Of A Gun
19. (Banter II / “Widespread Panic Fans” Improv Song)
20. This Could All Be Yours
-= Encore =-
21. (Encore Break)
22. Doin’ It By Myself
23. Amsterdam
Show Notes: This free show was a part of the “Red, White, Brews & Tunes” Summer Concert Series hosted by 10 Barrel Brewing Co.
[1] The PA system died during the middle of “Demons” and very briefly during the begining of “Overexcited”.
Taper Notes: FOB DFC setup around 20′ from the stage, mics raised around 9′ PAS.
Thank you to Guster, Copper Mountain and 10 Barrel Brewing Company for being cool with taping/sharing shows and hosting the event. Go see live music and tip your bartenders! #spacetapes
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