Step into my box and check out Twiddle headlining Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre!
The summer Red Rocks season is finally upon us, and signaling its arrival was Twiddle‘s triumphant return to headline the legendary venue. Their return marks the band’s fourth appearance at the venue, their first back in 2015 when they opened for the String Cheese Incident. In 2016 the band returned to open for the Disco Biscuits, and then in 2017 the band was set to return to co-headline with Moe. but had to cancel the show due to Rob Derhak’s announcement that he would be leaving Moe. to battle throat cancer, which launched an indefinite hiatus that ultimately lasted a few years. In 2018 the band made their headlining debut, co-headlining the venue with reggae group Stick Figure. This show saw the return of fan-favorite “Frankenfoote”, which had been on a 1 year hiatus. Now, 2019’s show marks the band’s fourth time playing at the venue and second time headlining, and for the occasion, the band brought along long-time friends Pigeons Playing Ping Pong and Kitchen Dwellers for the party.
As the sun set behind the stairs and the temperature began to drop, Twiddle took the stage to a packed Red Rocks crowd eager to welcome them back. The set opened with the solemn “Hatti’s Jam”, an ode to a fallen friend and mentor Hattibagen McRat. The song is commonly paired with the hopeful “When It Rains, It Pours”, however fans were thrown for a loop as the band transitioned into the ominous opening notes of “The Box”. The song’s hypnotic build feels like the slow clicking of a roller-coaster before the song’s verses come crashing in, the bottom drops out, and the ride is in full force. The jam featured a rapid-fire jamtronica attack that locked the Red Rocks crowd into a bobbing groove, syncopated with each palm-muted riff, building one of the most formidable jam moments of the evening. With no break in-between, the band eventually segued into one of their oldest compositions, the ironically nimble note-tornado “Grandpa Fox”. The 12+ minute excursion was executed perfectly, and its engrossing movements almost made you forget about where we began. Moments after the final whirling notes crashed down, Mihali began strumming the opening chords to “When It Rains, It Pours” reconciling the “Hatti’s” set introduction. The set then featured another OG Twiddle tune, the tale of the great soldier “Tiberius”, another welcome flashback to Twiddle’s original catalogue and one of the favorite patrons of “Orlando’s” bar.
The band then invited up violinist Richard Vagner for one of the most compelling moments of the set, an inspired take on “Subconscious Prelude”. Richard’s violin playing accented Mihali’s voice and Ryan’s keys beautifully and pierced through the jam with a stunning confidence that played well to the string-loving crowd. One of the best sit-ins in an evening full of them.
The band then performed a strong three-song-segment that featured an especially shreddy “Jamflowman” transitioning into the fan-favorite instrumental off “PLUMP: Chapter 2”, “Dinner Fork”, which then transitioned into the main-riff of the epic “Frankenfoote”. Hearing the Red Rocks crowd sing the chorus of “Frankenfoote” and experiencing the air of the crowd during the slow build was memorable to say the least. They then closed out the set with a heartfelt version of “Be There”, returning to the solemn-yet-hopeful tone that started the set.
Twiddle‘s return to Red Rocks was a family affair. From the fans in the audience, to the bands on-stage, this show was a celebration of a decade’s worth of connections made and nurtured through the power of a communal love of music. But the transitional nature of the show is what really struck me. It felt surreal to be in the lot and think, “These are all Twiddle / Pigeons / Dwellers fans”. There wasn’t a band with a 20+ year proven track record anchoring the show, or a more mainstream act with a built-in base to share the bill with. This was the new generation of jambands making their presence felt and taking their stake in the future of summers at the fabled venue. A true testament to how far they have all come and a window into what the future holds. A monumental accomplishment for all those involved.
Twiddle | 2019-05-02 | Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison, CO
-= One Set =-
01. (Intro)
02. Hatti’s Jam ->
03. The Box >
04. Grandpa Fox
05. When It Rains, It Pours
06. Tiberius
07. Subconscious Prelude[1]
08. Jamflowman ->
09. Dinner Fork ->
10. Frankenfoote
11. Be There
Show Notes: This was a co-headlining set with Pigeons Playing Ping Pong. Kitchen Dwellers opened the show, followed by Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Twiddle then a fourth set featured all three bands.
[1] “Subconscious Prelude” featured Richard Vagner on violin.
Taper Notes: Row 16 slightly left of DFC, mics raised around 6′ PAS.
Pingback: Reba Fleurantin