Second year proves successful
It only its second year, the 2008 Monolith Festival at Red Rocks Amphitheatre proved to be an excellent addition to Colorado culture with acts that were nothing less than huge.
Highlights of Main Stage:
The day didn’t really feel like it started until at 2 p.m. when British-band FOALS hit the stage.
As the heat and the high altitude took their toll on the crowd, the four members of the group rollicked through their songs with an impressive intensity. Boundless energy seemed to stream through the band’s drummer as he flew through the complex beats of their unique, manic and energetic take on modern rock.
The most pleasant surprise of the day was Australian electro-pop band Cut Copy. Due to their dance-rock grooves and large stage presence, they had most of the crowd dancing by the end of their set. A leader of the burgeoning electronic scene, their energetic set was the most fun of the day. Sadly, they were cut off at the beginning of their last song due to time restraints.
The sun started to go down and recent indie-pop phenomenon Vampire Weekend hit the stage. The band has a unique sound that drew in the younger crowd immediately. With sweet harmonies mixed with and kitschy songs about the ivy league that are smartly contrasted with reggae beats, the band kept the crowd happy and dancing throughout their enjoyable set.
As the temperature dropped and a sprinkle of rain froze the crowd, Silversun Pickups hit the stage and did something incredibly impressive: the band made the crowd forget how cold they were. With a sound that reminds its audience how the ’90s influenced modern rock, SP warmed the audience with their mix of grunge and modern rock.
Their sound was well contrasted with singer Brian Aubert’s sweet vocals that sometimes hit passionate screams, echoing beautifully through the open space. The crowd grew larger and the band looked extremely humbled by their surroundings, which is something truly refreshing from a band that reached popularity at such a rapid speed.
DeVotchka concluded the concert with a fantastic performance. With a set that seemed to match the sprawling landscape that the festival took place in, the band hit the stage and illustrated how well music can compliment the breathtaking surroundings of Red Rocks. With instruments ranging from an acoustic guitar to a string section and horns, they were the most unique act of the day.
Nick Urata’s expressive and wide-ranging vocals captivated the crowd with epic stories of love, courage and sadness. No band seemed to get more joy out of playing live, and with a tuba covered in red lights and a set of beautiful songs, pleasure could be seen in the faces of the crowd as well. Their eastern European inspired rock translated gorgeously live and reminded crowd members how music can bring a diverse group of people together and make them all just sit back and enjoy a moment together.
Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Jenny Gumbert at jenny.gumbert@colorado.edu.
