Yeasayer came through Denver Sunday night for their seventh show in the Mile High City.
The Brooklyn-based band has been picking up fans with their delightfully weird psychedelic pop. I have been hooked ever since I first heard “O.N.E.” from the album “Odd Blood.”
The Ogden on Sunday was a packed house, with most patrons ranging from 18 to 25. As Yeasayer took the stage, there was excitement in the air, which built up as the band began its set.
Yeasayer at the Ogden in Denver Sunday night. (CU Independent/Claudia Rebora)
Yeasayer opened with “Blue Paper” from their latest album “Fragrant World.” Bodies started moving slowly, and the dancing picked up as the song continued. During “Henrietta,” the audience joined in the chorus, repeating the words and getting really into everything the song threw at them.
The stage behind the band was lit up with interesting mirrored triangles outlined with lights, which were created by artist Casey Reas. With lasers and smoke machines hitting the stage and bouncing off of the mirrors into every direction, the show was trippy, to say the least. The light show gave the audience a visual experience that matched the sound of the music.
As “O.N.E.,” the song I had anticipated the most, came on, the whole theater moved deeply and sang along with the tune. The live version had an interesting, funky twist that is not in the recorded version.
The stage was lit in red for “Madder Red,” which made the theater seem like a completely different scene. A dark, weird world had consumed the Ogden in the most appealing way.
When the night came to an end, and they announced the last song, I was not ready for it to end. I kept enjoying the show and dancing to the music. The high energy and excitement that came from the band onstage and bounced back off the crowd to the musicians was amazing.
When the band’s last song ended, stomping arose for more and the floor vibrated. The band members took the stage once more and played a four-song encore.
Yeasayer puts on a live show that is real and pure. The joy Yeasayer has for playing its music and the experience is something so fresh to see. The band danced with everyone and made it a night to remember and a great way to start off the school year.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Claudia Rebora at Claudia.rebora@colorado.edu.
