The band ignites Red Rocks despite technical difficulties
Justice headlined Monolith Music festival in front of a half-full Red Rocks Amphitheatre Sunday night.
It may have been the cool September air or maybe just a Sunday night, but the headline act saw hundreds file out of Red Rocks Amphitheatre opposed to the thousands Justice performs for regularly.
Making matters worse, technical problems plagued the band all night. The opener, Phantom Part I, was cut short due to a power failure, according to Justice’s sound manager. The French based duo picked it right back up teasing D.A.N.C.E. once the problem was resolved.
Justice then went into D.A.N.C.E full bore after a ten minute hiatus while crew members scrambled around the stage who finally fixed the audio problem. What was left of the crowd went crazy. Justice’s most popular dance anthem fired up the anxious fan base filled with people who were thankful the show lasted more than one song.
Downloading a song or two may be the only way to explain their eclectic mix. The music is a blend of dance hall, electronic, pop and Christian rock. They add improvisational beats and melodies that create a unique listening experience each time they take the stage.
The band consists of two live DJs, Gaspard and Xavier de Rosnay. Both individuals are Parisian natives. Their popularity was spread through the internet in 2007 mainly due to D.A.N.C.E’s success.
Although most of Sunday night’s performance was off of Justice’s June 2007 debut album, + (AKA Cross) , the songs were still fresh. Every track deviated slightly from their album.
“I’m ready for my religious experience,” said a hardcore fan while bounding to his seat before Justice began.
Katie Barrett, 22, a CU alumna, doesn’t listen to Justice for their Christian values although, she says, their values are obvious. Barrett respects Justice’s beliefs but listens to them because she appreciates electronic music and because she says Justice knows how to rage.
The Parisian duo flashes a light up cross prominently between their amps, constantly reminding everyone in attendance of Justice’s faith. Besides the cross on stage Justice is nothing like any other Christian rock band on the planet.
Matt Dryden, 21, flew out to Denver from Long Island solely to see Justice. He wore a handmade shirt displaying Justice’s iconic cross.
“Justice feels like you are running of a cliff about to BASE jump without a parachute, but jumping not to your death, but to your destiny,” Dryden said.
Red Rock’s first mass exodus of the evening occurred after the initial power outage leaving the amphitheatre one-third full. Justice didn’t seem to notice, breaking into a smooth DVNO.
Justice continued with high non-stop energy until they jammed into Never Be Alone (AKA We Are Your Friends). This sampling from the British band Simian incited the crowd.
“Because we are your friends! You’ll never be alone again! Ooh… come on!” chanted the raucous crowd.
This chant proved to be the highlight of the evening. Justice stopped the music, directed bright spot lights on the crowd, and listened. Everyone’s collective voice exploded out of the red rock and into the cool September air.
Unfortunately the show was cut off by another power failure.
The sound manager could not diagnose the problem. This time it was over. Roadies, crew members and engineers scrambled across the stage for fifteen minutes while the crowd begged Justice to come back by way of the Never Be Alone chant.
Only a few hundred hopeful fans remained when the house lights came on and security officially announced the show ended early.
Peter Kim, 22, a senior accounting major, didn’t know any other band at Monolith and attended only for Justice. Despite the technical difficulties, Kim still thought the show was a success.
Dryden gave one last piece of advice before Justice began, thus illustrating the crowd’s fun loving nature.
“Strap yourself in with Velcro shoes and get ready for justice!” Dryden said.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Jimy Valenti at james.valenti@colorado.edu
