Coming off of their 2022 release Sunrise on Slaughter Beach, iconic metal band Clutch have kicked off their national No Stars Above Tour, taking the equally iconic 90s band Dinosaur Jr. along with them, with a stop in Denver, CO this past weekend.
Die-hard Clutch and Dinosaur Jr. fans, ranging from those that have followed the bands since their heydays to those that weren’t even alive when they formed (myself being of the latter), turned out for their performances in Denver on Aug. 5. The Fillmore Auditorium was packed full by the start of Dinosaur Jr.’s set, the crowd excitedly buzzing with a sense of comradery and shared bliss.
To no one’s surprise, Dinosaur Jr. delivered a raucous yet perfectly dialed set with ease. A byproduct of playing and touring together off and on for nearly three decades, singer and guitarist J Mascis, bassist Lou Barlow, and drummer Murph, were able to play fluidly and showcase their contributions to the music in real-time on stage.
Mascis and Murph played with an immense amount of ferocity and force despite their subdued composure, while Barlow tied all the moving parts together with his intricate bass lines and captivating stage presence. The trio had the crowd moving and singing along with fan favorites including “Feel the Pain” and “Freak Scene,” while they also made space to flex their improvisational virtuosity by playing a handful of early deep cuts.
Properly warmed up and equally contented by Dinosaur Jr.’s performance, the crowd shifted into an unparalleled force of exhilaration when Neil Fallon made his way onto the stage. Exuding sheer exhilaration as he bounced around the stage singing “Big News 1,” it was evident from the start that Fallon had full control over the crowd’s attention and that he was just as happy as they were to be performing in front of them.
Throughout the set, the band played a wide array of songs including new and old fan favorites “X Ray Visions,” “Firebirds,” “Slaughter Beach,” and “El Jefe Speaks.” They kept the setlist concise and didn’t overstay their welcome on stage, although from the looks of it, the crowd would have been perfectly happy with a performance that lasted through the night.
Clutch’s performance was a true testament to their charisma and talent that has drawn in countless fans over their expansive career. The unwavering synergy between the band and the crowd throughout the entire night was evidence of the true impact of their music-an untarnishable dedication and passion that runs deep in their fan base.
Clutch
Dinosaur Jr.
