Last night at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, CO, local funk troupe The Motet played their first-ever headlining performance at the storied venue, bringing along both Medeski Martin & Wood and Vulfpeck to lend a hand in bringing some serious funky grooves. After a major storm rolled through the area, causing a delay, the festivities commenced and the night continued without a hitch.

Vulfpeck Has Added A New Sunday Show To Their Colorado Run

Vulfpeck was as candid as ever, displaying their relative ease at showmanship and including the crowd in just about everything they do, with call and repeats, sing-alongs, and such. The Ann Arbor, MI-based act brought along their main cohort Antwaun Stanley who stood out on a rather extra funky “Funky Duck”. Medeski Martin & Wood put on an absolute clinic during their set, deciding to keep things more on the funk side, rather than go too experimental jazz-y on the crowd on this particular night.

The Motet brought their A-game to the fray, and did not disappoint, as they ran through a 15-song set that featured sit-ins from John Medeski, who played side-by-side with the dominant Joey Porter on keys, on “Cloak and Dagger”. Former member and Big Gigantic leading man Dominic Lalli joined his former mates during a “Nemesis” that featured a jam of David Bowie‘s “Fame” and an outstanding solo from the saxophonist.

Trey Anastasio Band trombonist Natalie Cressman also joined the horn section for the entire show. A “Fool No More” encore ended the night proper for what was a wildly successful first headlining gig for the Colorado-based band, led by founder and drummer Dave Watts. Check out some videos below from the night:

The Motet “Nemesis” w/ Dominic Lalli from Big Gigantic, courtesy of Brian Eckes:

Medeski Martin & Wood – Red Rocks:

Vulfpeck “Funky Duck” w/ Antwaun Stanley:

The Motet Setlist – Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, CO – 7/22/16
Damn
So High
Know It Too Well
Rippin Herb
Back It Up
Like We Own It
Cloak and Dagger*
The Truth
Fountain
Ain’t No Way
Keep On
Danger
Nemesis# >
Closed Mouth

Encore:
Fool No More#

* w/ John Medeski of MMW
# w/ Dom Lalli of Big Gigantic

Photos by Gary Sheer. Full Gallery: