A 10-minute drive to The Gothic Theatre proved to be worth the trip last Thursday, Sept. 28 when The Pink Spiders and Everclear rocked the stage, bringing nostalgia and new energy to the Denver ‘90s rock crowd. 

Before we even begin to talk about the incredible performances that took to the stage that night, let’s break down the venue. 

The Gothic Theatre immediately welcomes you with a variety of pastel colors and artwork covering the entire establishment from head to toe (literally, even the ceilings were painted). The dim lighting is a perfect complement to the colorful high ceilings. The layout is a traditional theater but is open enough for people to engage with other audience members during the show, even from afar. 

The night began with The Pink Spiders hitting the stage shortly after 8 p.m. Right off the bat, you could feel the passion in their music as they sang “we’ll never take it easy, yeah we’ll never take it back,” dedicating their set to one of their members who was absent, battling a bad case of COVID-19. 

The drummer, in particular, stood out with fun facial expressions that added a layer of intensity to their performance. 

The visuals during their set were almost as captivating as the music, with strobe lights and a pink backdrop creating an electrifying atmosphere. Midway through their performance, they surprised the audience with a change in tempo, accompanied by a mesmerizing guitar solo. 

One of the standout moments of their set was when the lead singer Matt Friction took the stage alone with his guitar, delivering a soulful rendition of the song “What’s so funny bout Peace, Love and Understanding?” by Nick Lowe before the rest of the band rejoined. 

The musical chemistry between the drummer and bassist was undeniable, and the vocals had a driving momentum that made you want to stomp your feet. The harmonious connection between the lead singer and bassist was another highlight of their set.

As the main act, Everclear, took the stage and opened with “So Much for the Afterglow,” they immediately immersed the audience in their iconic ‘90s sound. They wasted no time in introducing their new material, mentioning their recent album released just three weeks prior.

Bassist Freddy Hererra was a charismatic presence throughout the show, providing hilarious commentary that kept the crowd laughing. 

Everclear made sure to cater to the fans’ requests, delivering hits like “The Twistinside” and “Local God.” Throughout the entire show, but especially in “Normal like you” and “Father of Mine,” the instruments were in sync with each other, with the Gothic Theaters acoustics complimenting them perfectly. 

Intermittently, the band transitioned into slower, more introspective songs, showcasing their versatility. During one such moment, lead singer Art Alexakis addressed his 34 years of sobriety and dedicated a song called “Strawberry” to his “sober brothers and sisters in the audience.” The emotional depth of the performance was palpable as he sang, “Don’t fall down now, you’ll never get up.”

The band also shared personal moments with the crowd, with Alexakis dedicating a song called “Wonderful” to his daughter and acknowledging all the parents in the room, saying, “We’re in for the whole f***ing ride whether we like it or not.” The most prominent call and response was during this song, but Everclear engaged the crowd throughout the night and encouraged everyone to sing along. It was impossible not to dance to their infectious rhythms. The backing vocals were top-notch, which never gets talked about enough. 

In a moment of raw authenticity, the Alexakis declared, “I refuse to do s**t I don’t wanna do. I don’t give a f**k.” He expressed his love for playing the guitar, followed by a mesmerizing display of strings in perfect harmony which had the entire venue in awe. The interactions between the band mates emphasized their friendship and added an extra layer of love and energy to their performance. 

Everclear pulled out all the stops with insane guitar scales and a 30-second guitar solo that showcased their musical prowess. Nearing the end of the show, they performed “I Will Buy You a New Life,” which was described as “a song not about money but love.” The crowd sang along passionately.

When Herrera asked the crowd “Doesn’t it feel good to feel rock and roll again?” the audience responded with cheers, and Everclear proceeded to deliver scream-your-head-off songs that hit the soul in just the right spot. 

Their top hit, “Santa Monica,” was even better live than on the original recording. It was evident that deep fans filled the venue, as they sang, “We can live inside the ocean,” with unwavering passion as the end of the night neared. 

Everclear finished off with a surprising cover of “Molly’s Lips” which appeared to be the final touch, transporting the audience back to the ‘90s. Everclear’s electrifying performance at the Gothic Theatre proved that their music is timeless and their live performances are simply unforgettable.