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The first ever, two-day Monolith Festival came Red Rocks Amphitheater this past weekend that enthralled audiences and performers alike.
With more than sixty performances spanning two days and nights, Monolith provided enough music to please everyone from rap enthusiasts to bluegrass aficionados.
Friday afternoon found a steady flow of concertgoers staking claim to prime seating at the Esurance Main Stage, scoping out the complicated five-stage layout, or stocking up on freebies from the sponsors’ tents. On the smaller stages, local and emerging artists like Cat-A-Tac, De Novo Dahl, and 3Oh!3 performed for large crowds of new and old fans alike. The Editors and the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club rocked hordes of loyal fans with outstanding performances on The New Belgium Stage.
On the Esurance Main Stage, Everything Absent or Distorted kicked off the festival, but it wasn’t until Ghostland Observatory took the stage that the party really got started. No one expected the caped-and-braided duo to put on such an awesome performance. With the first hip thrust and rebel yell, lead singer Aaron Behren’s mesmerizing dance moves and soulful voice hooked the audience. The addition of Thomas Turner’s hypnotic beats made Ghostland Observatory sure-fire crowd pleaser. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah followed with an equally amazing performance that had the audience falling more in love with the performers with each song. At dusk, the Kings of Leon rocked out inducing a hair-flying, boot-stomping, fist-pumping frenzy. The mood mellowed a bit once The Decemberists performed, but the audience was no less enthusiastic. Singer Colin Meloy charmed the crowd and even led a massive sing along to “You Are My Sunshine.” At ten pm, Cake’s performance conquered the crowd with their infectious tunes, leaving no question as to why they were the chosen headliners of the night.
Saturday afternoon opened with a powerful set by Red Rocks newbies, the always-impressive Laylights. The band’s performance marked the beginning of a day of outstanding local acts. Along with the Laylights, Nathan & Stephen, Machine Gun Blues, the Hot IQ’s and The Swayback, all came out and made Denver proud. One of the day’s oddest but most popular performers, solo act Bob Long III, donned a sequined jumpsuit and space helmet as he thrashed out frantic bluegrass tunes. Other favorites on the smaller stages included Rocky Votolato, Earl Greyhound and Cloud Cult.
On the Main Stage, the cultish Brian Jonestown Massacre drew scores of frighteningly devoted fans. British favorite Art Brut commanded a huge audience with their rowdy and eccentric live show. By the time Spoon took to the stage for their first performance since releasing their critically acclaimed new album Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga, the audience had nearly doubled in size.
The showstopper was The Flaming Lips. Throughout the day, concertgoers, wearing a variety of costumes including banana suits and bumble bee outfits, foreshadowed the coming spectacle. Santa-and-alien-clad helpers hyped the crowd. Then, 10 p.m., lead singer Wayne Coyne, made his trademark “Boy in the Bubble” entrance and the crowd went insane. With confetti canons and streamers, smoke and massive green balloons, the Flaming Lips show could be described as nothing short of sensory overload. It truly was a musical spectacle.
The first Monolith Festival was a satisfying concert experience.
