Okay, full disclosure. Prior to last September, I really wasn’t all that into the band GA-20. I’d listened to a fair amount of their music. I thought it was good, but it just didn’t grab me the way I thought it would.
And then… BAM!!! In September of last year, I was covering Tab Benoit in back to back to back shows in Fort Collins, Denver, and Colorado Springs. The opening act, all three nights, was GA-20. I showed up to that first show not knowing what to expect from GA-20, but figured, why not? After all, I was really there to see Tab, but I might as well see/hear what GA-20 had to offer.
Man, were my eyes opened. GA-20’s forty(ish) minute set was absolutely electric, completely blowing me away. Fast forward five months, and GA-20 was back in Colorado, this time as headliners. And I was back as well, at Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox in Denver (Wednesday, February 18) and the Magic Rat at the Elizabeth Hotel in FOCO (Thursday, February 19).
In fairness (to me… it’s always about me), the GA-20 I had tried to get into before I saw them perform last September wasn’t exactly the GA-20 that opened for Tab Benoit. The original GA-20, formed in early 2018 in Boston by guitarist Matthew Stubbs, consisted of Stubbs, Pat Faherty on second guitar and vocals, and sideman Tim Carman on drums. That version of GA-20 – the one I had been listening to – released three studio albums, plus one live album, between 2019 and 2023. Then, in July of 2024, Josh Kiggans replaced Carman on drums. And in December, Faherty left the band, to be replaced by Cody Nilsen. Stubbs, plus Nilsen and Kiggans. That’s the version of GA-20 I saw open for Tab Benoit.
To be fair to both lineups of the band (I guess it’s not always about me after all), the musical style hasn’t changed. GA-20’s signature sound is old school, stripped-down Chicago blues. There’s never been a bass player in the group; instead, they feature two guitarists. For me, the distinction between the old and new versions is simple. I favor Kiggans and Nilsen over Carman and Faherty. That’s not a knock against Carman and Faherty… it’s just personal preference. Kiggans is an ideal match for Stubbs and Nilsen, keeping the music grounded so the two frontmen can shine. He’s an outstanding musician who chooses subtlety over flash, always locking into the song’s groove. As for Nilsen, he truly stands out – his vocals are powerful enough to give you goosebumps, and his slide guitar work ignites the band’s live shows.
Speaking of which, GA-20’s shows on both Wednesday and Thursday nights were absolutely incredible. From start to finish, both the auditory and visual volumes were cranked to eleven (shoutout Nigel Tufnel). The setlist on Wednesday night featured seventeen songs and lasted an hour and fifteen minutes. On Thursday night, the band performed nineteen songs over one hour and twenty minutes. While the differences between the two nights were minor, I found Thursday’s set preferable since it included “Just One More Time” and “Easy on the Eyes,” neither of which were played the previous evening.
Like many serious modern blues bands, GA-20 openly credits the genre’s pioneers as key influences on their music. The band honors legends such as Jimmy Reed, Clifton Chenier, Bo Diddley, Hound Dog Taylor, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Elmore James, Little Walter, Buddy Guy, and Dick Dale (among others) through both their studio work and live shows. On both Wednesday and Thursday nights, about two-thirds of their setlists were made up of covers of classic blues songs. Some standout moments included…
- “I’ll Change My Style” (Jimmy Reed) – The second song both nights, and the first (of many) to highlight Cody Nilsen’s exceptional vocal range.
- “Give Me Back My Wig” (Hound Dog Taylor) – The first of three songs from the 2021 cover album, Try It…You Might Like It: GA-20 Does Hound Dog Taylor; An absolute scorcher with Nilsen delivering a powerful slide performance.
- “I’m Leaving You Now” (Lightnin’ Hopkins) – Stubbs and Kiggans step off stage, leaving Nilsen to perform solo on slide guitar. This is the kind of performance the term “showstopper” should be reserved for.
- “Sitting at Home Alone” (Hound Dog Taylor) – This is a great classic blues tune on its own, but when you add in Nilsen’s extended walkabout through the crowd (which included going up the stairs to the upper level at Ophelia’s), it whips the audience(s) into a frenzy.
- “Nitro” (Dick Dale) – The buzzsaw instrumental that has become the band’s signature closing tune. How Stubbs and Nilsen have the energy to take things up yet another notch, this far into the set, is beyond me.
The original tunes were no less impressive. The sets on both nights opened with “Cryin’ & Pleadin’,” the terrific lead track from the first album from the newly reconstituted band, 2025’s Orphans. Other highlights from Orphans included “Stranger Blues” and “Just One More Time.” The 2022 album Crackdown was represented by “Dry Run”, with its galloping, western vibe, “Easy On The Eyes”, another tune that featured Nilsen’s vocal prowess, and “Be My Lonesome”, a flat out rock and roller (and the lead in for “Nitro”).
Each performer excelled in their respective roles. Stubbs and Nilsen skillfully alternated between lead guitar and bass lines, creating a dynamic musical exchange. Kiggans’ drumming was captivating and seemed effortlessly executed. With Nilsen, it’s hard to decide what stands out more – his impressive vocals or his masterful slide guitar work, both of which were truly exceptional.
And while each musician delivered outstanding performances, what I found most amazing was the band’s remarkable unity, especially considering they’ve only been together for fourteen months. The chemistry they displayed on stage felt like that of a group with much more experience working together. To me, this reflects their dedication to their music and their drive to excel at their craft.
So here we are – GA-20 and me. Six months ago, I knew who they were, and had a mild appreciation for the music they were making. Now, after seeing them live five times, I can confidently say I’m a Bonafide Fanboy. That kind of loyalty isn’t something I give away lightly – it must be earned. And let me tell you, this band truly earned it.
In addition to the two shows talked about above, GA-20 is wrapping up their current tour with shows in Winter Park (last night) and Basalt (tonight), before heading home to Providence, RI for a short break. In late March they head to Europe for nine shows, then will be back on the road in the US in April. If you missed them this time around, they will be returning to Colorado for the Telluride Blues & Brews Festival in September, performing with the legendary Charlie Musselwhite. The lineup for this year’s festival (September 18 – 20) is absolutely incredible. For more information, go to https://www.tellurideblues.com/.
Before I wrap, a BIG shoutout to all the people who came out to the FOCO show on Thursday night. I’m telling you, the blues fans up north know how to party! On the one hand, I feel like I should be ticked off at you for making it impossible for me to take pictures of the band’s performance that night (see the photographers note below). On the other hand, watching you guys get all jiggy the way you did was truly joyful. You done did yourself proud!
Photographer’s Note: While I covered both the Denver and Fort Collins shows, you’ll see there are no photos from the Magic Rat show in the gallery below. Magic Rat is a fantastic venue, the show was outstanding, and the audience was amazing. However, the space layout and energetic crowd made it impossible for me to find spots for shooting without disrupting people or being inconsiderate. In the absence of pics from the Magic Rat show, I’ve included a few shots from the band’s September 12, 2025 performance at Washington’s, when they opened for Tab Benoit.
Story and photos by Rick Witt www.rickwittphotography.com
