Kaleid | 2019-04-05 | The Fox Theatre, Boulder, CO [SBD/AUD Matrix]

‘Scope this killer set from Kaleid getting things started at The Fox Theatre!

The art of the perfect opening set can be tough to actualize. Do you play your “hits” to potentially rope in new fans? Or do you go full throttle with your improv and dazzle them with your jam prowess? It’s impossible to do both because you only have so much time…or is it? Kaleid delivered the best of both worlds to a crowd of new and existing fans alike, performing a well-curated three-song-set that packed in the nuance of their accessible songwriting, interspersed with their eloquent compositions, all floating over branches of improvisation that wove together these elements in a compelling and compact fashion.

The set started off with a patient and loose extended intro into their newer tune, “The Slime”. The song has a primal beat that allows for an engaging song structure and also proves a solid launching ground for what would ultimately be the longest jam of night, as the song clocked in just over 17 minutes. The improv segment was extremely cohesive as the band moved from segment to segment, showing off solid communication and ability to build and release tension several times throughout the course of the tune. After the first fierce peak, the band just continues with the original chord structure to further build the peak with even harder intensity, leading to second and even third peaks with equally exponential vigor.

The middle of the set treated the crowd to a composition titled “Triple Threat”, which was a journey through crushingly big metal-riffs riding a wave of synth tones throughout the song’s structure. Every turn feels dramatic, and the song hits hard like a jackhammer…if Jessica Jones makes me want to shimmy, this tune makes me want to throw up the devil horns and head-bang.

The set then closed out with my personal favorite tune, “Miss March”. The song is driven by the whirling guitar riff throughout the intro and verses and the incredibly catchy chorus. This version was actually the only time I’ve seen the song stand on its own. In my experience seeing Kaleid, the song has usually book-ended one or more other tunes, creating its own narrative throughout the set. Well, the story of this set’s “Miss March” is that of a perfect ending to a well-focused set. A spacey jam segment in the middle provides a brief broken-down structure as the perfect backdrop for some driven guitar solos to close out the set.

Kaleid hit all the marks in showcasing what they’ve got to offer – from their tight compositions, to their precise lead work, to their accessible songwriting, Kaleid is the full jam package. A band focused on all the right things and checking off all the right boxes. I can even attest to their knack for creative set list construction, given a bit more time of course. Kudos to them for starting the night off right!

Kaleid | 2019-04-05 | The Fox Theatre, Boulder, CO

-= One Set =-
01. The Slime
02. Triple Threat
03. Miss March

Show Notes: This was an opening set in support of Jazz Is Phish. Sky Pond played the following set followed by Jazz Is Phish.

Taper Notes: DFC directly behind the soundboard mics raised around 9′ PAS. Thank you to Rob for the board patch!

LINK: https://archive.org/details/Kaleid2019-04-05.AKG.P170.AUD.SBD.Matrix.flac16