*Photos by Focal Points at Local Joints
*Cover photo by Silky Shots
*8th gallery photo by Jonathan Bowen
Following up on the Red Rocks show that was supposed to be played last summer, psychedelic funk-infused Baltimore powerhouse Pigeons Playing Ping Pong and Buffalo all-American jam band moe. 'rocked the rocks' on Thursday, July 12.
Members of The Flock flew from all around the country to take part in Pigeons’ debut show at Red Rocks. The parking lot was filled with the Flock family early in the afternoon to hang out and get ready for the historical show. I mean the purpose of a show is raging with the band, and indeed the fans did.
After stopping by the merch table to grab the official Red Rocks pins and t-shirts made for the show, the crowd cheered as Greg Ormont, Jeremy Schon, Ben Carrey and Alex Petropulos strode onstage with huge smiles on their faces to greet one of their biggest show accomplishments yet.
The band was in full force for their set, kicking off the show with “Porcupine” as Ormont rang out the opening lyrics that echoed throughout the rocky venue. The fun energy continued into “Somethin’ For Ya,” before the guys slipped into the beachy-warm “Julia” as the Flock danced with the rocks under their toes. Schon’s shredding shook up the crowd with the hard and heavy instrumental “Avalanche” that gave way to The Lion King’s “I Just Can’t Wait To Be King” as Ormont and Carrey played Simba and Zazu on stage for some fun playing.
As the sun began to descend, love filled the air as we celebrated the moment in “Horizon” that seamlessly slipped into “Poseidon,” the tune that moe.’s Al Schnier sat in two short months ago at Summer Camp Music Festival. The guys rounded off their set on a lighter note with the silly “The Liquid” as Ormont led the crazy rhythm with his dancing. Schon and Petropulos jump started into the happy “Dawn A New Day” which allowed all four members to shine their brightest on stage before they took a proud bow for the night.
Setlist: Pigeons Playing Ping Pong / Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre / Morrison, CO / 7/12/18
Set: Porcupine, Somethin’ For Ya > Julia, Avalanche, Just Can’t Wait To Be King, Horizon > Poseidon, The Liquid, Dawn A New Day
moe. returned to the red rocks stage ready to jam after having to wait a year since their 2017 show cancellation due to Rob Derhak's health concerns, and didn’t wait to get the party started as they started into “Seat Of My Pants.” The energy of the crowd was reciprocated back by Al Schnier and Chuck Garvey as they exchanged solos on stage in “Who You Calling Scared?” before slipping into a crowd sing-a-long of “Captain America.” The band debuted “Pastorus,” a jam tune that made it first debut at this year’s Summer Camp Music Festival on May 26, allowing the guys to continue their funky instrumental jam in “Silver Sun.” The guys finished with a “Akimbo” > “ATL” > “Puebla” sequence, ending their set with a hearty dose of shredding by Schnier and Garvey.
The band jumped back on stage after a much needed set break and started their second set with a “Plane Crash” sandwich, dazzled up with a grand “Buster” > “Four” > “Skrunk.” Percussionist Jim Loughlin performed an incredible extended xylophone solo in “Prestige Worldwide” as the guys topped off their long-jammed sequence with “Silver Sun.” The crowd sang along with the band and rang out the lyrics, “travel cross the country, I get too fuckin’ high!” to finish off the “Plane Crash” sandwich.
“Wind It Up” closed out the show with some harmonic melodies that left the crowd speechless with an expressive showcase by the whole band. Pigeons Playing Ping Pong guitarists Jeremy Schon and Greg Ormont joined the moe. party on stage for the encore for a funky cover of David Bowie’s “Fame,” highlighting the strong relationship between the two groups from playing together at Summer Camp Music Festival and concluding the long-awaited show.
It truly was a great experience to be a part of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong’s debut at Red Rocks and joining well-respected musicians moe. on stage. Both bands showcased their hard work musicianship onstage to play like it was their last, noting that they both understand life’s punches and to be grateful for the successes they’ve made.
Setlist: moe. / Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater / Morrison, CO / 7/12/18
Set One: Seat Of My Pants > Who You Calling Scared? > Captain America > Buster > Pastorus# > Silver Sun > Akimbo > ATL > Puebla
Set Two: Plane Crash > Buster > Four > Skrunk > Prestige Worldwide > Silver Sun > Plane Crash > Letter Home > Wind It Up
Encore: Fame*##
Notes: * w/ Greg Ormont and Jeremy Schon on guitar
# official title of segue/jam debuted at Summer Camp 2018
## last time played 2/7/17