Big Summer Classic- national tour

First day report:
Ok, I'm not aset lister, so you'll need to look on the groups pages for each band. As I run across them, I'll add to this post.
Line up:
New Monsoon (this position will be Xavier Rudd in Canada)
Umphrey's McGee
Keller
Spearhead
SCI

Comments:
Red Rocks is THE place for a big show.
In addition to the bands, an eco-village including Conscious Alliance and Rock the Earth was set up. Sumo wrestling in those inflatable suits.
Silly, but folks were having fun.
Also. it was near the top restrooms, which are in the new, air-conditioned visitor's center.
Nice.
Monsoon:
Give these boys more time. I'm an avowed Monsooniac, but this show was tight, precise and still pumping the High Sierra love vibe.
They reminded us how big WE are.
Guitarist Jeff was on fire and was tabla player Rajeev. The percussion and bass were a three headed beast. Damn good show, even for NM. Too short, and they hit the stage as doors open. A slow process at the Rocks.
Umprhey's:
I get why the energy pulls so many people in. This set was sort of Phishy, actually really Phishy, and the phans were responding.
Jake was amazing as always.
It seems the set was a bit earthy despite the attempted stratospheric launches, judging by the various painters' work.
It sounded more like a lava flow when it was happening monemt by moment.
Def. reminded me of 95 Phish.
Still didn't hook me. We'll see today.
Keller:
I owe him apologies big time. Still too "loopy" for my oldtimer taste, but he is a genius, playing and mixing his own stuff live. Stellar Running on Fumes and Tribe.
Seemed like he had more time than NM and possibly UM. Huge crowd reaction.
Franti and Spearhead:
OMG. after afew too many "how you doin's" Franti hit IT and the place rolled.
wow wow wow. I guess if you cannot bring it to Red Rocks, it's time to quit.
Franti was in fine form and getting all the greyheads dancing. Big on trashing the SCOUTUS decision about medical marijuana.
Mr. and Ms. Hand of the Ogallah Lakota in Pine Ridge, SD:
presentation of a star quilt to SCI for their support of Conscious Alliance.
"Thanks" song from Natalie Hand.
Mr Hand said a century ago his ancestors had ceremonies at Red Rocks. and that it was an honor to be there that night.

SCI:
This was a give 'em another chance show for me and I thought I was in heaven as they came out of the gate with Little Hands>Rollover.
I was: tears streaming down my face, paint exploding on the canvas. Oh my it was 98's energy all over again! (this is the lure of NM)
Then Cheese the techno band started. For me, a let down energy wise, but hey, I like Signal Path and STS9, so I went with it, and they are good. Could lose Travis' falsetto. that lost a chunk of the crowd, too.
Billy ripped out a bar song from the new disc. Nice. Classic Nershi. He also played acoustic most to all of the set. Michael remembered he could play the violin and oh, yes he can.
Keller appeared for the encore and proved that the sum of two parts is greater than the whole.
Nice Freaker, I kept feeling Breathe... sadly, no. Maybe today.
Red Rocks staff were amazingly laid back, considering they are looking at four days of jam crowds (Mule/Moe the night before, two BSC and Blues Traveler on the fourth, with Panic last week.)
The scene was cool. The sun was hot. The music otherworldly.
Get your tickets. This is going to be a great ride.

 

I though Honky Tonk had a Jillian feel! Should have made that Ned show, but was volunteering at a diff venue.
Thanks for the info.
37 how ya feelin' s? Thank the gods he felt it!
Circles was cool.

 

anyone have a link to Franti sets? I 'd like to know what some pieces were (never heard him before BSC)
oh and KW pulled out an Antelope that was almost as nice as the version I heard in Oct 95 by Phish.
Ben Kaufman of Yonder came out, played electric bass with KW. So when yonder conmes out for their first ever real set at Red Rocks, he says, 'I got to live a dream, I got to rock out at Red Rocks."

The tour , if it holds up like this, will be a complete smoker.

 

Remember, Xavier Rudd will open the Canada shows, New Monsoon is grounded to the US.

And I don't know how common this is (I do week long camping festies more than this sort of showcase) but Doors opened at 2 pm.
New Monsoon went on about 10 min after. Get there early and bring water. It was evilly hot.

 

yeah, and at RR it doesn't have to be. (quizzical look) Kudos to the roadies and techs: about 20 min between bands with good house music (lots of Dead, but that could be because they once were banned from the venue)

 

I started out all about my boys New Monsoon then my sweetie reminded me Yonder was there