Over the weekend, pioneering jamtronica group Lotus hit the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre stage to kick off the venue’s 2021 season. Performing for four consecutive sold-out nights, the weekend run of shows marked the first ticketed events of the year and return of eager live music fans at the historical outdoor amphitheatre.
Along with being the first set of shows back at the Rocky Mountain venue, the run of shows marked Lotus’ first return to the stage since their 175-person Red Rocks performance in September 2020. Being in compliance with the state’s approval to hold 25% of its full capacity, the weekend was regarded to be extra special as only a set of 2,500 Lotus fans were able to attend each night.
Just after the sun went down behind the mountains, Mike Rempel, Jesse Miller, Luke Miller, Chuck Morris, and Mike Greenfield took to the stage to deliver two sets each night, never skipping a beat or repeating a song throughout their eight total sets. The lucky Lotus fans who attended throughout the weekend saw live debuts of the band’s newer tunes “Phantom Tooth,” and “Sepia Rainbow,” and the classic, funky-electro party anthems that have been a part of the staple Lotus experience for years.
With the jam scene’s infamous saying “never miss a Sunday show” heard throughout the night, Lotus didn’t fail to finish off their fourth and final night without a bang. The Sunday night first set saw bust outs of “Bellweather”, “Livingston Storm” and “Dowrn” as a rising full moon cast over the sky. Fit with the scene and following the previous night’s “Umbilical Moonset,” the second set saw a blissed out “Umbilical Moonrise” that sequenced into a closing “Travel” and “Shimmer and Out.”
A roaring crowd sent the five-piece back onstage for a two-song encore of “Earl of Grey” and a high-energized “Intro to a Cell.” While there were no song repeats throughout the four nights, it came as a surprise that the band’s slow lullaby “Colorado” didn’t make the setlist on any of the nights. Aside from the song skip, Lotus’ return to Colorado’s most beloved music venue was nothing short of stellar and has set the tone for the rest of the venue’s season of live events.
Red Rocks has been rapidly adding shows since being cleared to reopen at 25% capacity. For a full list of upcoming Red Rocks shows, head here. You can view a full gallery of Lotus' Sunday night show below, courtesy of Alpine Music Photo.
Lotus | Red Rocks Amphitheatre | Morrison, CO | 4/25/21 | Photos: Alpine Music Photo