Last Friday, while the rest of Denver was dropping below freezing once again, the heat was turned up all the way at the Fillmore Auditorium for the beginning of the jam-band Lotus’ two-night run.
Doors opened at 7:30 p.m., and as the auditorium filled, DJ duo Poolside started the crowd moving with their self-described “daytime disco.” A collection of their “chillwave” music filled the air of the Fillmore, which got the crowd loosened up and the groovy vibes rolling.
After a very brief set change, Lotus took the stage at 9:30 p.m. waving American and Olympic flags as “Bugler’s Dream,” the Olympic theme song, played over the house speakers in a beautifully patriotic tribute to the Sochi Winter Games. This was met with the chanting of “U.S.A.! U.S.A.!” by the crowd, which revealed an incredible sense of unity in the venue.
The group features drummer Mike Greenfield, percussionist Chuck Morris, bassist Jesse Miller, and guitarists Luke Miller and Mike Rempel. Miller and Miller, who are twin brothers, also control many of the electronic elements that give Lotus their distinctive sound. While featuring traditional rock instrumentals, the group has a groovy, ambient sound made possible by an unrivaled electronic influence, making them a powerhouse in the electronic dance music scene.
The group kicked things off right away with their upbeat jam “Bellwether” off their 2008 album, “Hammerstrike.” The song features Luke Miller’s talk-box vocals and Rempel’s feet-moving guitar riffs. There wasn’t a frown in the house.
Lotus then surprised the audience with the appearance of a guest horn section during the third song, “Break Build Burn,” released on their album “Build” last year. Trumpeter Andy Smart and saxophonist Justin Jones took the stage and delivered the funk everyone was dying for. While the recorded song does feature saxophone and trumpet, the live performance was unbeatable and made the song a standout of the performance.
Next, the group kept things going with “Opo” and “Contagion,” finishing off their first set with the upbeat jam “Jump Off.” At 10:30 p.m. the group took a much needed 30 minute break. The lively atmosphere inside the Fillmore was palpable, and house music kept the fans moving despite the lack of a band.
Lotus started their second set with “Tip of the Tongue,” making a great transition back in from the break. The song is powered by a psychedelic synth and pre-recorded vocal track. Jones and Smart once again joined Lotus on the stage for “Uffi,” another groovy synth-powered song off the album “Build,” and a rendition of Earth, Wind and Fire’s “Shining Star,” for which the crowd went wild. The funk was through the roof.
The set finished around midnight, and the crowd cheered Lotus back onto the stage for a well-deserved encore performance, ending the evening with a couple of mellow jams that left everyone in a trance. They began with “Marisol,” a low tempo groove driven by Rempel’s insane guitar talent. They finished off with one of their more popular songs, “Spiritualize,” which is a low-key atmospheric tune that left the crowd feeling euphoric and alive.
While many electronic artists rely on large LED screens and graphic artists to carry their production, Lotus is a different story. The production was rather simplistic in comparison to those of other popular artists, but beautiful nonetheless. Lotus’ light show is the work of a genius, and the stage features little else besides the common robotic lights. Thin LED light bands and hanging textured cloth added good accents to the stage. The group can carry a stellar performance without the help of a massive production budget, something few electronic groups can boast.
Lotus returned to the Fillmore on Saturday to play a second show featuring the electronic group Zoogma. Lotus is expected to play a show at Red Rocks Amphitheater again this summer, and frequents music festivals across the country. Next time they are in town, grab a ticket and have a groovy night of your own.
