The Brooklyn-born funk band, Lettuce, brought their Sounds Like A Party tour to the sold-out Fillmore Auditorium in Denver, CO last night and had the packed hall getting down to their smooth and funky grooves. Supported by fellow New Yorkers, TAUK, the night was one for the books.
Notably, Adam Deitch, drummer extraordinaire was joined by Tyler Coomes, bassist Jesus Coomes’s brother, and Bobby Deitch, his father, on percussion, keeping the rhythm section a family affair that had it locked down throughout the night. Nigel Hall also joined the band, treating the crowd to his soulful and spirited vocals.
By nine o’clock, a line more than a block long twisted down the street filled with people stoked to get in and get down. The night opened up with DJ sets from Maddy O’Neal and The Geek x Vrv, which got the crowd in the mood to rage proper. By the time TAUK took the stage, the crowd was visibly hyped and ready to get down.
TAUK’s seven-song set had the dance floor moving. Their tease-heavy performance highlighted the band’s ability to stay super tight and in control at any tempo and while switching between styles, though staying true to a rock-heavy sound. Particularly, their guitarist, Matt Jalbert, showed off with super shreddy solos, and drummer Isaac Teel locked down the rhythm and kept the crowd hype. The four on stage transitioned seamlessly between ambient grooves and aggressive, and sometimes almost frenetic, improvisational jams that energized the crowd and got them ready to party for Lettuce.
When Lettuce finally took the stage, the crowd’s stoke levels were on high. True to the name of the tour, Lettuce ensured that the Fillmore was a total party and proved why the ensemble has become one of the preeminent funk acts in the scene. The band seemed to be getting into the Halloween spirit, as they moved between spooky and darker sounding sections as well as spacier and atmospheric grooves that would transition back into the classic funk sound the band is known for.
As is Lettuce’s style, each member of the band (save Eric Krasno, who is currently touring independently) flexed their talents during the show, showing off their virtuosic musical abilities and keeping the crowd hyped. As always, the Shady Horns were a sight to behold with Ryan Zoidis on sax and Benny Bloom on trumpet treating the crowd to delicious horn solos. Jesus Coomes was front and center and kept the crowd hyped by laying down funky bass lines that drove many of the songs and kept the crowd amped. Adam Smirnoff frequently soared over airier jams on guitar and treated the crowd to heater guitar solos that took the energy to the next level. On the keys, Neal Evans tore it up, emerging at points to show off with some virtuosic riffs that allowed him to shine. Adam Deitch slayed on the kit, per usual, and the sit-ins from Tyler Coomes and Bobby Deitch were welcome additions for the night.
Standout moments of the night included a Tears for Fears cover, “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” which had the whole crowd stoked once they realized what song it was. “Phyllis” was another crowd pleaser that kicked off with a spacey intro and was carried by the melodic keys a la Neal Evans and Benny Bloom’s soaring trumpet parts. The night was appropriately closed out by “Sounds Like A Party,” where Nigel Hall amped up the crowd and left them wanting more.
True to its name, Lettuce’s sold-out stop in Denver on their Sounds Like A Party tour was a total party. The tour, which will continue into November, is making its way East. Members of Lettuce will also be playing at the Brooklyn Comes Alive festival on October 22nd. Don’t miss out, and peep their website or their upcoming tour dates below to catch them at a city near you.
You can see the band’s tour schedule below, and check out a full gallery courtesy of Rios.Photos.
Upcoming Lettuce 2016 Shows:
10/26 – Baltimore, MD – Ram’s Head Live
10/27 – Charlottesville, VA – Jefferson Theater
10/28 – Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel
10/29 – Live Oak, FL – Suwanee Hulaween
10/31 – Baton Rouge, LA – Varsity Theater
11/2 – San Antonio, TX – Sam’s Burger Joint
11/3 – Houston, TX – Warehouse Live
11/4 – Dallas, TX – Gas Monkey
11/5 – Austin, TX – Emo’s
11/6 – Tulsa, OK – Cain’s Ballroom
11/9 – Louisville, KY – Headliners Music Hall
11/11 – New York, NY – PlayStation Theater
11/12 – New York, NY – PlayStation Theater
11/26 – San Francisco, CA – Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
12/1 – Pantanal, Dominican Republic – Breathless and Now Onyx
12/30 – Portland, ME – State Theatre
12/31 – Boston, MA – House of Blues
