Halloweekend is filled with thrills and frights of fun starting, for many, on the Friday before Halloween. New York-based band, Pretty Sick, set the spooky weekend off right with a captivating show at Lost Lake last Friday night. Accompanied by local band Bleak Mystique, Lost Lake was packed with energy and Halloween spirit.
Opener Bleak Mystique got the crowd warmed up with an amped-up set delivered with ease. The band played a handful of songs off of their new EP, a few iconic tunes and three that aren’t even out on streaming platforms yet. The trio grabbed the crowd’s attention with their catchy melodies and respectable guitar solos. Ending the night with a heavier song, a small mosh began to stir, setting the tone for the remainder of the night.
The 50 or more people that made up the crowd flowed between the bar, the venue area and outside, happily mingling amongst each other as they awaited Pretty Sick. In an instant, the crowd was fully formed once again as lead singer Sabrina Fuentes took the stage. Blonde-striped black hair slyly covering her eyes, Fuentes immediately tore into the set, captivating the crowd with her mystique and masterfulness. Strumming a bass like a guitar while bassist Orazio Argentero added to the depth of the rhythm, Fuentes took full control over the room- her confidence felt with each guttural cry she let out.
The band played a variety of songs, ranging in tone and energy. Some such as “Human Condition” were more fast-paced and got the crowd moshing and letting loose. Others such as “Black Tar” were more solemn, yet still had the crowd singing along and swaying to the beat. The band delivered a range of emotions, showcasing the depth of their songwriting which made an obvious impact on the Denver crowd.
Fuentes and the other members of her band didn’t waste much time speaking in between songs, letting the music speak for itself despite a few cool thank yous and subtle remarks. The band’s presence wasn’t flashy or over the top, instead capturing the essence of their sound in their performance- dark, grounded and haunting. They delivered a sound and performance that perfectly reflected the creepy and darkly tasteful feel of the season.
After playing their song “Superstar,” Fuentes announced that the next song would be their last. Shouts of disappointment and encouragement for the band to keep playing preceded and followed the song, leading to the nowadays inevitable (yet gladly accepted) encore. The band played fan favorite and Pretty Sick classic “Dumb” to end the night in chaotic dancing and an all-around satisfied crowd.
Pretty Sick left the stage with ambient guitar noise ringing from the amp, haunting the crowd with the ethereal experience they just had. Once the noise stopped, with ease and delight the audience left Lost Lake like a cool breeze, taking with them the ghost of Pretty Sick, until next time.
