As the student band Long Way Home opened the performances at Rug Room on Jan. 30, the message for the audience was clear: have fun. 

“Since the vibes are so good, we are always going to take the long way home,” said vocalist Kendall Oliver. 

It’s not unusual for many University of Denver (DU) students to find themselves dancing the night away on certain Friday nights at the makeshift venue, Rug Room after a long week of classes.  

The Rug Room was created in April 2025 by DU students hoping to provide a consistent space for student bands to perform.  

“It’s just the coolest thing in the world, just a bunch of guys, none of whom are really music students, wanted to support local bands on a whim, decided to make an accessible music venue and people love coming here,” said Ava Weiss, lead singer of Friends on the Hill.  

Located on S. Franklin Street, the venue is the garage of a few DU students’ house. The space is just a short walk from campus, where all fans can come together, spend the night with their friends and listen to good music.

“I go to Rug Room every few shows, and especially when my friends are in the bands,” said attendee Nina Fentriss. 

To attend any of Rug Room’s events, guests could purchase a ticket at the door for $5 cash, or $8 using Venmo. The performances take place most Friday evenings. 

 For the event hosted on Jan. 30, the doors opened at 8 p.m. and the music started at 9:15 p.m.  

After purchasing a ticket and getting stamped, attendees entered through curtains to a vibrant backyard, lit by a firepit and fairy lights, they were transported to another world. 

The backyard is not just an area to wait for the show, but its own separate event. Decorated with futons, picnic seating, painting and Xbox’s, anyone can find something to do. 

“Rug Room is geared towards a hospitable experience. I’m literally sitting on a futon in the snow; they have a fire pit and painting which everyone can do. There are people playing video games outside. It is really a great community,” said Fentriss. 

Once the bands were ready to begin, attendees ushered into a garage covered in rugs, purple and blue spotlights and vintage movie theater chairs. 

The evening started with a performance by Long Way Home. The band formed this past Monday, Jan. 26, and with one and a half practices under their belt. They opened with an impressive cover of the famed Dolly Parton song, “Jolene.”  

They continued with the Bluegrass and folk theme, playing seven more covers, including songs like “Wide Open Spaces,” “Harvest Moon” and “Blue Ridge Mountains.”  The band ended their set with a folk rendition of “Linger.” The end of their performance was met with a loud round of applause, as some guests gathered to hug the performers.  

Throughout the performance, attendees were seen dancing and singing along with one another, while the other bands, that had yet to go, listened supportively of Long Way Home, truly encapsulating what Rug Room’s main goal was. 

“DU bands are all just trying to play a bunch of venues, so it’s great they are doing this and that we can perform,” said Weiss.   

The Sweet Reliefs took to the stage next for their set. This was not their first time performing at Rug Room and they have previously performed at other DU venues like Battle of the Bands and Jammin’ for Jude.  

The band immediately brought a different vibe to Rug Room. Instead of swaying and singing along like before, the band’s heavy instrumentals left the audience headbanging.  

The Sweet Reliefs features four members: Nathaniel Schott dominating the saxophone, Riley Patton on the drums and Julius Pedro and Max Meyer on electric guitars.  

During the set, they played original music from their debut album, “Things We Used To Say.” They also performed unreleased songs, like “In this Moment,” which can soon be heard on their upcoming album.  

While the Sweet Reliefs ended their set, the night was far from over. Friends on the Hill took to the stage next to close out the event.  

Friends on the Hill was formerly known as When the Sun Explodes but, due to creative differences, they decided to rebrand. Since returning from the summer, the new band was ready to make their Rug Room debut.  

As attendees listened and danced to the final band, the fun was palpable and it is very plausible that everyone did in fact, take the long way home.