Just a few short weeks after our big trip came another trip back to Colorado and Red Rocks. On one hand, this trip would be easy compared to what we had already done. On the other hand, we had to drive to Colorado, knowing how quick and easy it is to fly.
Since so many of us would be reunited on this trip, and we were all staying at Bill's, I thought it'd be a good idea to bring wigs for everyone.
Colin, Emily, and I were the first ones to arrive at Bill's, so we got to relax and get a good night's sleep before the craziness began. We had planned on spending Thursday visiting friends in Boulder while Bill was at work, but we ended up just lounging at the house while I nursed a headache. I was really worried that it would keep me from being able to enjoy myself, but once everyone started showing up, my excitement took over and I felt alright.
There was a Kinfolk pre party at the Ogden, and luckily most of us were on the list. It was nice to get to go in early, eat some pizza, and talk to some friends. We got to grab our rail spots before they opened the doors and Jeff came down to take some photos. Dale suggested a jumping photo "in honor of Dorothy". Aw, thanks Dale!
Totally blurry, but fun nonetheless.
For some reason, I decided I needed to wear a wig to this show. And then I got a sweet throat tattoo.
Why would an indoor venue not have air conditioning? It was so brutally hot inside the Ogden, my headache came back with a vengeance. The wig didn't last through the first set... actually it was swung around in a frenzy as soon as the first beats of Bolton Stretch hit the air. At the setbreak, Adam turned his fan around toward us. Yeah. It was hot.
This was such a fantastic show. The first set was so long, it actually seemed as though they switched the order of the sets, which made me happy because I couldn't stay down front. Halfway through the second set I started feeling extremely sick from the heat and headache, so Emily and I went upstairs to the giant fan (where a small amount of Beyonce dancing occured). It felt odd not being on the rail, but my head was very relieved.
My highlights from this show were Oklahoma> Pockets> Oklahoma, Irondale, Sharecropper's Son, Mossy Cow, Years With Rose> Bolton Stretch, Dawn's> Ten, Steep Grades, Rain Still Falls, Little Rabbit> Spanish Harlem, OTR> Kentucky Mandolin> Illinois Rain> OTR, Part 1
Yonder Mountain String Band
Ogden Theater - Denver, CO
August 26, 2010
Set I: If You're Ever in Oklahoma> Pockets> Oklahoma, Irondale, Sharecropper's Son, Don't You Lean on Me, Ramblin Boy, Mossy Cow, Years With Rose> Bolton Stretch, Counter Reaction, Dawn's Early Light> Ten> 2 Hits and the Joint Turned Brown> Ten
Set II: Only a Northern Song> Catch a Criminal, Steep Grades Sharp Curves, Rain Still Falls, Redbird, Little Rabbit> Spanish Harlem Incident, 40 Miles From Denver, At the End of the Day, On the Run> Kentucky Mandolin> Illinois Rain> On the Run
Encore: Lord Only Knows (part 1), East Nashville Easter
After the show we all went back to Bill's and ate lots of food and had lots of fun. Dale brought her LED poi and I found a new hobby. My set should be coming in the mail soon.
Yay! Friday meant Yonder, Salmon, and Split Lip at Red Rocks! Stephenie absolutely rocks and was able to get us into the parking lot before it opened, and get a few of us on the shuttle up to the top of the hill so we didn't have to hike. My head hurt pretty bad again and even though it was really hot and sunny, I managed to stay ok because I didn't have to hike. Thanks, Stephenie!
Even though we were at the front of the line, Stephenie was still worried about our spots.
But we were all good. I don't think we could've got better seats.
Split Lip Rayfield was first, and they kicked ass - like always. There weren't many people inside the venue yet, but everyone was crowding the front rows. We were trying to help keep people off the tarp next to us for our neighbors, but it got pretty hard, not knowing who knew people and who didn't. But I think it all worked out in the end.
Colin and I were given VIP bracelets and were able to go to the side of the stage and upstairs. It was amazing to see another view of Red Rocks after seeing so many shows and making so many memories there. We hung out on the side of the stage for a little while, talking with some folks, when we heard, "Now! Now! Now! Go! Go! Go!" and Leftover Salmon ran to the stage. That was maybe one of the coolest moments of the weekend. Just seeing the frenzy of the band entering the stage. Awesome.
We didn't stay backstage for long, the sound actually wasn't that good, and we wanted to be with our friends. But, with the perks of going backstage, Colin and I brought out a root-brewski to share.
Leftover Salmon was so good! I hadn't seen them in many many years, and they just blew me away. Scramble Campbell came out close to the beginning of the set and danced his way to his easel before he painted a fantastic painting.
Now, I usually don't like set breaks because I usually don't leave my spot and the music stopping makes me realize how much my body hurts and how tired I am. But, this was different. We didn't have to worry about losing our spots because there were so many of us and we all had 2s or 3s on our hands. It was really great. And there were 3 set breaks for us all to run around and visit. It was really fun.
And then there was Yonder.
This show was by far my favorite Yonder Red Rocks show. They played a small venue selection of songs, while rocking thousands of socks off at the coolest larger venue in the country. They sounded great and played great. After the show, a few of us went backstage and upstairs again, where we saw our friend Danny - rockin his Des Moines shirt. Hell yes.
My highlights from this show were Looking Back, Troubled Mind, Jail Song, Cuckoo> POM> Angelside> POM, Reuben & Cherise, Polly, Damned if the Right One, Idaho, Isolate, and Steam powered Aereoplane. That first set sandwich was the most delicious thing ever!
Yonder Mountain String Band
Morrison, CO
Red Rocks Amphitheater
August 27, 2010
Set I: Looking Back Over My Shoulder> New Horizons, Left Me in a Hole, Fingerprint, Troubled Mind, Rag Doll, Casualty, Jail Song, Cuckoo's Nest> Piece of Mind> Angel> Riverside> Angel> Piece of Mind
Set II: Sidewalk Stars> Ramblin in the Rambler> Reuben & Cherise> Rambler, Polly Put the Kettle On, Damned if the Right One Didn't Go Wrong, Idaho, Isolate> Death Trip, Another Day, No Expectations> Traffic Jam> King Ebenezer> Traffic Jam> Out of the Blue
Encore: Steam Powered Aereoplane> Boatman> Jack London
Once again, we went back to Bill's after the show and had a grand ole time; eating, rockin out, and playing with glowy things.
The next morning we rallied together pretty well, cleaned up Bill's house a little, and took our convoy to Nederland! Nedfest wasn't originally part of me, Colin, and Emily's plans, but they ended up having more time off work than expected, so we were able to go for Saturday. Tim and Lori had rented a loft that everyone was splitting, so we all got to stay together and spend a minimal amount of money.
Before walking down to the festival, we went to an Indian/Nepalese buffet. Everyone got a plate but me, since I'm afraid of any non-American food. But then I tried a couple things off Colin's plate and it was delish!!! I actually got a plate for myself and ate a good deal. This is the summer of new adventures, livin fast and loose, doin what we want! And I want to no longer be afraid of "scary" food. I was so proud of myself.
Once at Nedfest, who do we see? Joel! Our good buddy from Des Moines. It's always nice to see Joel.
Nedfest was absolutely perfect. It's in such a small area, that it's impossible to lose your friends. We all had so much fun together and it was the perfect end to a fantastic couple of Yonder shows. We had so much fun hanging together and goofing around.
After Great American Taxi, Bill Nershi did a surprise tweener set. Awesome.
"Hey, you wanna take a picture of us?!" Well, not really. But OK. Stephenie is way cuter and persuasive when she asks people that question. These guys were kind of douche-baggy.
Then we saw our new friend Cassie and pirate faces were made.
Dale: "You're from Des Moines? Then you must know the scoop..."
Danny: "Of course I know the scoop!"
Hot Buttered Rum is always fun, and I realized that I hadn't seen them since they added drums. It was better than I expected, not being a huge fan of drums with "bluegrass".
Not long after Cornmeal started, we went to the side of the stage to wig out. It was actually Tim's idea that we should stuff his backpack full of wigs and wear them during Cornmeal. I love you, Tim!
I love that Bill chose the long brown wig... and I think he might've been on to something. This hair just suited him.
Part of Hot Buttered Rum came up and joined Cornmeal for the last part of their set, which included a Working on a Building> You Should Be Dancing. THIS is the Cornmeal I love, but they don't bring it all the time. The last time I heard THIS Cornmeal was Groundhog Day 2008. It was a fantastic, wiggy, dance party.
After Nedfest, some of us went out while some of us hung out in the room. Those of us in the room had fun with wigs and the banjo.
We all basically slept until we heard loud church bells ringing. Gregg counted them and said it was "23 o'clock". Then apparently there was the longest fart in history (I will protect the identity of the farter), and we all got up. Me, Colin, Emily, Tim, Stephenie, and Jen went to breakfast, where we got the worst service in history. About 3 people helped us, but they forgot parts of our order, basically put us down for going to Nedfest, took forever, and gave us some cold food. Wow.
I know I say it every time, but we have the best group of show friends, and they make these trips so special. We have all become so close so fast, and it just makes me excited for all of the wonderful times we will have in the future.