Nintendo Fusion Tour comes to Denver

The purple Fillmore Auditorium lights in Denver were contrasted by Nintendo emblems projected on the ceiling Nov. 4 for the Nintendo Fusion Tour.

Many big-name bands such as Hawthorne Heights, Relient K, Emery, Plain White T’s and The Sleeping performed at the event, sponsored by Nintendo to showcase its newest gaming console, the Wii.

“This is the first time we’ve been on something like Nintendo Fusion. This being sponsored by Nintendo has been pretty sweet,” said Dave Tirio, guitarist for the Plain White T’s. “We got to play the new system that comes out pretty soon. It’s called the Wii. They set it up in the lobby of every show, and kids can try it out.”

The Nintendo Wii game stations were packed during breaks between the music.

“(The Wii is) beautiful and shiny. It is incredible, and (it’s) extremely easy to get used to it. It takes two minutes. It ups the game play,” said Paul Falcon of Denver.

Tirio reminisced on good times in Denver as well as what it means to become a band.

“One year in Denver, we were here for Halloween, and it was kinda crazy. People were whacked out on all sorts of things,” Tirio said.

Like many artists who play in the Mile High City, Tirio said the lack of oxygen can get to a performer.

“When we came through (Denver) and I was on drums, I would notice (the elevation) right away. Elevation did get to me way quicker than anywhere else, but with guitar it’s not so bad. It’s a less physical instrument,” Tirio said. “Singers got to have a brutal time.”

Before and during the show, several people walked around wearing plain white t-shirts, letting people scribble things on their shirts. Someone had penned “Delilah” on one shirt, referring to the Plain White T’s song, “Hey There Delilah.”

“Plain White T’s – I love their music. My friend had me listen to them two years ago, and I’ve been hooked ever since,” said Danny Ginger, a freshmen open option major.

During the show, the lead singer of Emery seemed touched by the crowd.

“A lot of people spend their own personal money to support your band,” he said.

Relient K’s entrance was something out of an old-school Nintendo game. Band members hopped around to the noises made by Mario and Luigi and other Nintendo characters.

As Hawthorne Heights took the stage, everyone was ready to get a little crazy.

“I like those mosh pits,” a band member said to the crowd. “We can get another one going.”

Tirio said the time on the tour with the Plain Withe T’s has been enjoyable.

“It’s like a big family. The tour is almost over now, and that kind of sucks,” Tirio said.