Kessel Run | 2020-08-22 | Knew Conscious, Denver, CO [SBD/AUD Matrix]

I saw your eyes, and you made me smile. For a little while… I was falling in love with Kessel Run performing at Knew Conscious!

Continuing their run through the gamut of socially-distanced concert series, Kessel Run graced us with their second show of the month, opening things up for Cycles at the new location of Knew Conscious Art Gallery, right on the corner of Broadway and Lawrence. The setup was quite intimate with around 50 fans in attendance, all properly spaced out in accordance with the Governor’s regulations on how to hold these events.

Kessel Run’s set showcased the many highlights from their expanding repertoire. They opened strong with the infectiously catchy “Dew”, which blended into their original “George Lucas”, featuring an especially inspired solo from guitarist Cam Canepa that ferociously accented the outro and propelled it into its climactic finish. “No Moon” proved the band’s tried-and-true jam vehicle, as they navigated the various changes with a tight, nuanced execution that kept things bouncy and wildly engaging. Their newer tune, “Funkhauser”, illustrated the term trash-funk poetically, and the set closer “Skin Crawl” took the trashiness to its apex with its amalgamation of metal riffage and space-age jamtronica that Kessel Run has such a tight grasp on. It also featured some dazzling keys work from the newest member of the group, keyboardist Steve Howell, which peppered the sound with a perfect amount of astral spice. The closing peak was also the most locked-in jam of the evening, finding several plateaus as it rode out the tune.

Kessel Run’s sound is a prog-rock voyage through space funk and jamtronica that you absolutely need to embark on. Their songs have strong accessibility with snappy melodies that appeal to everyone, while also getting the hipster nod from music-nerds interested in double-bass drums and six-string guitars that have nothing to do with nu-metal. This is the music that plays through George Lucas’ head when he goes on a DMT trip.

Kessel Run | 2020-08-22 | Knew Conscious, Denver, CO

-= One Set =-
01. Dew >
02. George Lucas[1]
03. (Banter)
04. Space Age Love Song (Flock Of Seagulls cover)
05. (Band Introductions)
06. No Moon
07. Funkhauser
08. Skin Crawl

Show Notes: This show was supporting Cycles. Kessel Run opened and Cycles headlined. This was a socially distanced event.
[1] “George Lucas” contained “Ain’t Nobody” (Chaka Khan) teases.

Taper Notes: On-stage mics set to DIN configuration DFC right in front of the monitors. Board patch and mix thanks to FOH Engineer Andrew Davidson.

Thanks to Kessel Run and Knew Conscious for putting on a socially-distanced event in these trying times. Music is everything. Support all your local artists, now more than ever. Go see live music and tip your bartenders! #spacetapes

LINK: https://archive.org/details/KR2020-08-22.CA14.omnis.onstage.AUD.SBD.Matrix.flac16