This truly has been the year of reunion tours and Colorado has yet again made its way onto the must-hit list. Kicking off the week right on Monday evening Red Rocks was the home for the final show on the Banshee Season Tour starring the world-renowned rock band Counting Crows alongside one of your favorite childhood bands Dashboard Confessional.
Fans eager with anticipation, filled the amphitheater well before either band went on, nearly selling gout their merch with lines that wrapped up long the famous rocks. A nice, yet surprising twist to the beginning of the show as lead singer from the Crows, Adam Duritz, introduced Dashboard Confessional to the stage with a warm welcome, stating “They’re one of the greatest bands in the world to ever perform with”. Fans jumped up immediately with excitement as the band took the stage. Originally formed back in 1999, is was clear that Dashboard Confessional maintained a solid following through the years since then, as you could hear parts of the crowd singing along all through the entire set.
Taking charge as the first band member on stage, drummer Chris Kamrada smashed the first note as they led into Don’t Wait. Immediately after, you could tell the art of music truly lives forever as the band’s overall sound has not altered since their days back in the early 2000s. Connecting to his roots, lead vocalist Chris Carrabba wore his heart out on his sleeve proudly to a packed crowd at Red Rocks as they counted through their set playing a mixture of both their older and newer songs. Around song four, Carrabba turned to lead guitarist Armon Jay (AJ) as his one requirement in order to join the band so many years ago was if they were to play a live show they must perform Saint and Sailer. From this point on, it was game over… although you could clearly tell certain fans were only there for the Crows, the remainder of the crowd opened up and connected with he band for the remainder of the act as Carrabba continued to balance the set with some stories and interaction with the crowd. With Dashboard being the only opener of the night, fans were treated to an entire hour set, which isn’t typically something you see from openers. Needless to say, fans were happy to tag along for the ride as we pretty much had the opportunity to see not just one, but two headlining acts all wrapped up in one show.
Dashboard Confessional Setlist –
Don’t Wait, The Sharp Hint of New Tears, Belong, Turpentine Chaser, Saints and Sailors, Burning Heart, Screaming Infidelities, Again I Go Unnoticed, Remember to Breathe, Stolen, Vindicated, Hands Down
After a quick stage switch, the evening went from one Confessional to another as Counting Crows lead singer, Adam Duritz, introduced songs with a story and the meaning behind either the songs or the story in the song. Killing the stage presence with his passionate vocals and expressions Duritz spoke about their experiences over the past four months while on tour and how lucky they were to be able to end such an amazing tour in none other than Colorful Colorado. Something about this state and the energy/positivity the people have to offer welcomes musicians from all over the world. After playing a number of their hits such as 1492, Mr.Jones, and Omaha, the show took a bit of a turn for the best. Preferring to switch things up a bit during their live performances the Crows broke out into an acoustic set taking turns with some killer solos of the Accordion and Guitars and they performed Blues Run The Game, Angels of the Silences, and Big Yellow Taxi. Before ending the night with a four-song encore, Duritz strolled out a piano and told the story behind Palisades Park, a song about two kids growing up in New York City back in the 70s and what it meant to be free back in that time. Something he’s done his best to hold close to his heart through the crazed lifestyle of a Rock’n Roll star. Right before the Crows flew off the stage, they invited Dashboard back out on stage one last time, thanking them as the tour had finally come to an end. Stay up-to-date with both of these bands via the links below.
Counting Crows Setlist –
Mrs. Potter’s Lullaby, 1492, Mr. Jones, Colorblind, Butterfly in Reverse, Omaha, Catapult, Recovering the Satellites, Miami, Blues Runs the Game, Angels of the Silence, Big Yellow Taxi, Round Here, Palisades Park, Rain King, A Long December
Encore –
Time & Time Again, So Long So Long, Hangin Around, Holiday in Spain
Dashboard Confessional – https://store.dashboardconfessional.com/
Counting Crows – https://www.countingcrows.com/
