Words by Sean Gonzalez
I’m thankful for music. There’s not many other places I would rather be than the Bluebird Theater in Denver, Colorado. A favorite of mine due to sound, space and location (right next to a pizza shop), I enjoy any time I get to see a show here. With this in mind, having a hellbent lineup of Vein, Angel Du$t, Turnstile and Every Time I Die at one of my favorite venues was one hell of a kickoff to a weekend. Fun fact, they played two nights back to back, and I was able to catch the Friday showing.
Oh boy, Vein and Angel Du$t were perfect openers. Vein’s psychotic nu metal blend of hardcore set the stage early for the kind of show this was going to be. A slashing punch of energy that fed right into the second act, Angel Du$t. This group had a bit of a different rock fueled prowess, but kept the crowd engaged and moving with their quick changing punk progressions.
Turnstile, what a band. This is the second time I have been graced by their presence on a stage. Their energy on the stage is fantastic. Their grooves and breakdowns made both levels of The Bluebird move. I watched every member of the crowd begin nodding their heads in unison during the breakdown of “Canned Heat” early on. Brendan Yates moves with a purpose on the stage, sliding between dance moves to jumping around the stage. Their set was perfect, swinging from bombastic beatdowns to melodic beats the only way Turnstile can. A band that has quickly become one of my absolute favorites to watch, I hope everyone continues to move with feeling to this group’s outpour.
The main act, Every Time I Die, is no stranger to me. This is the 15th time catching the Buffalo quintet live and this one was a special set. In celebration of their 20th year being a band, they not only brought an amazing group of bands on tour, but they made their set match their years of work. Starting with “Emergency Broadcast Syndrome” from Last Night In Town, the band picked a handful of songs from each album to play live. Each night the set can swap, with a few mainstays (like “Map Change” and “Floater”), showing their extraordinary catalogue in the best place to witness it, in a venue. I witnessed a few songs live I had never seen before, and the crowd was singing, screaming and moving to the beat of each and every tune. See this lineup live. Support these bands forever, this was a night to remember.
TOUR DATES
11/21 – Santa Ana, CA – The Observatory
11/23 – Berkley, CA – UC Theatre
11/24 – Los Angeles, CA – The Regent
11/25 – Tucson, AZ – 191 Toole
11/27 – San Antonio, TX – Paper Tiger
11/28 – Dallas, TX – Canton Hall
12/03 – Tampa, FL – The Orpheum
12/04 – Lake Park, FL – Kelsey Theatre
12/05 – Jacksonville, FL – 1904
12/06 – Atlanta, GA – Masquerade
12/07 – Columbia, SC – The Senate
12/08 – Greensboro, NC – Arizona Pete’s
12/09 – Richmond, VA – Broadberry
12/10 – Baltimore, MD – Baltimore Soundstage
12/11 – Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer
12/12 – Pittsburgh, PA – Mr. Smalls Theatre
